Few veggies are better suited to the air fryer than Brussels sprouts. Use this quick, no-stress recipe to create delightfully flavored, ultra-crisp sprouts in just minutes!
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Air Fried Brussel Sprouts
Brussels sprouts can get a bad reputation, especially for those with memories of mushy boiled sprouts or other less-than-desirable preparations. But they’re experiencing a renaissance in recent years, all thanks to the popularity of the humble, underrated air fryer. Try this recipe and see for yourself!
What makes Brussels sprouts in the air fryer an ideal way to cook them?
Air fryers provide one thing over all else: incredibly crispy texture with next to no skills or work required from home cooks. Brussel sprouts benefit from this simple crunch on their exterior leaves, which protect an interior that becomes soft and flavorful. When contrasted with the delicious char and any added seasoning on the exterior, it’s a perfect contrast that requires none of the work and time of roasting.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Simplicity is king with this recipe, allowing busy cooks to get it on the table in a reliable way while dedicating the rest of their attention to other dishes. Few ingredients are truly necessary, though it’s easy to customize and add in your favorite flavors.
Ingredients you’ll need
For the classic preparation of these crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts, you’ll only need two ingredients beyond the sprouts themselves:
- Vegetable oil
- Salt or seasoned salt
This simple, stress-free seasoning allows the natural flavor of the sprouts to take center stage. However, this dish is highly customizable, allowing you to season your Brussels sprouts with whatever blend of herbs, spices, or other flavorings your taste buds desire.
How to air fry Brussels Sprouts
This straightforward recipe only requires a few minutes of prep before a hands-off cooking process.
- Wash the Brussels sprouts and remove any loose outer leaves. Cut off the stalk end, which can have a tougher texture than the rest.
- Cut your sprouts into smaller pieces. Quarters or halves work fine. Larger pieces will have a more tender center, while smaller ones offer additional crunch from the higher surface area.
- Check for any leaves that have come off the sprouts and remove them to prevent burning in the air fryer.
- Drizzle a small amount of oil on the Brussels sprouts. Season them with salt or any other desired spices and flavorings. Toss to coat them with the oil and seasoning.
- Cook the sprouts in an air fryer preheated to 350°F for about 12 minutes. Then, raise the temperature to 400°F for the final three to five minutes for an ideally crispy exterior.
- Remove the cooked Brussels sprouts from the air fryer basket and serve hot.
Recipe variations
As noted above, there are nearly unlimited ways to personalize this recipe to your taste. In addition to the salt or seasoned salt in the ingredients, different flavoring options include:
- Fresh ground black pepper
- Chile powder, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes for heat
- Garlic powder or minced garlic
- Onion powder
- International spices like curry powder or allspice
- Premade seasoning blends like Old Bay, Tajín, Za’atar, Everything seasoning, and more
- Balsamic vinegar reduction or store-bought balsamic glaze
- Maple syrup
- Honey
You can even add cooked pancetta or bacon for a flavorful and filling boost.
In addition, a quick enhancement once the crispy Brussels sprouts finish cooking can also go a long way toward turning this simple side into a high-end dining experience. Try adding finishes such as:
- Parmesan cheese
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
- A squeeze of lemon juice
What to serve with Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
These ultra-crispy yet delightfully fresh veggies are as versatile as they are delicious. Some choose to serve these Brussels sprouts on their own as a snackable appetizer, often paired with a creamy or spicy dipping sauce.
However, they also serve as an excellent side to meals involving grilled or roasted meat or fish. They can also add incredible flavor and texture to hearty salads. Truly, there’s not much these delicious Brussels sprouts don’t work well with!
How to store
In general, home cooks should try to make only as many Brussels sprouts as they expect to eat in a single sitting. Like most fried foods, their crisp texture is a major appeal. But they’ll naturally lose some of this crunch the longer it gets from cooking.
However, storing leftovers is quick and easy. Allow the sprouts to cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll last two to four days in most cases.
Generally, freezing isn’t recommended as it’ll further damage the crispy texture, often leaving a mushy result once defrosted.
How to reheat
Once again, crisp is the goal when reheating air fryer Brussels sprouts. With this in mind, you can briefly return them to the air fryer and cook them at 350°F. Generally, this should take about three to five minutes. If the air fryer isn’t available, a similar result can be achieved using a traditional oven, though more time will be needed.
While microwaving is fast and convenient, it typically damages the texture of the sprouts and should be avoided in most cases.
Love Brussel Sprouts? Try these recipes!
- Brussel Sprouts Au Gratin
- Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
- Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Favorite Green Vegetable Side Dish Recipes
- Asparagus Casserole
- Baked Broccoli and Cheese
- Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Garlic Green Beans
- Green Bean Bundles
Popular Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
- Air Fryer Sweet and Spicy Chicken Wings
Be sure to check out more of my easy vegetable side dish recipes and the best air fryer recipes here on CopyKat.com!
Before you go, let me know what is your favorite green vegetable. Do you love cruciferous vegetables? Do you prepare vegetables in your air fryer?
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 1 pound brussels sprouts washed, trimmed, and quartered
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon salt or seasoned salt
Instructions
Air Fryer Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Place the brussels sprouts in a bowl. Drizzle with vegetable oil and toss to coat. Season with salt or seasoned salt.
- Place the brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket and cook until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- When the brussels sprouts are tender, raise the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes.
Conventional Oven Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Place the brussels sprouts in a bowl. Drizzle with vegetable oil and toss to coat. Season with salt or seasoned salt.
- Add just enough oil to a baking sheet to make a very thin layer in the pan. Place brussels sprouts cut side down.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the brussels sprouts are tender and brown.
Nichole
Is there a reason you frequently use vegetable oil vs. olive oil?
Stephanie
Sure, I don’t like the taste of olive oil.
Bonnie
Neither do I.
Lee
What size is your Air Fryer?
I’m thinking about buying one but not sure about the sizes
Stephanie
I have the Phillips model Air Fryer – 2.75 qt – Black. It is fairly small. There are larger ones out there. I would consider how many people you are needing to cook for at once.