Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

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Roasting brussels sprouts in the oven is usually my go-to way to get those crispy edges, but ever since I made these roasted brussels sprouts in the air fryer, it became my new favorite way to make them! It’s much faster than the oven, which means less planning. This air fryer brussels sprouts recipe takes just a few minutes to prep, and they turn out perfectly crispy and golden brown after only 10 minutes of air frying.

If you don’t have an air fryer, these smashed brussels sprouts use your oven to create similarly crispy results.

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for this brussels sprouts air fryer recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

• Brussels Sprouts – Look for brussels sprouts that are similar in size for even cooking. The cook time in this recipe is for smaller sprouts, so you may need to increase it if yours are larger. Either way, cut them in half lengthwise for the best caramelization, and remove any outer leaves that are wilted or browned.
• Olive Oil – I like extra virgin for the flavor, but any cooking oil, such as avocado oil, works great.
• Balsamic Vinegar – Adds sweetness and flavor. If you’re not a fan, you can skip this for plain air fryer brussels sprouts.
• Garlic Powder – This coats the sprouts more evenly than minced garlic would, plus it avoids burning.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper – I have a good starting point on the recipe card below, but you can adjust both to taste after roasting. Don’t wait to add all the salt and pepper until the end, though, or the inside will taste very bland.

How To Cook Brussels Sprouts In Air Fryer

This section shows how to make brussels sprouts in the air fryer with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

1. Season. In a large bowl, drizzle the brussels sprouts with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Toss together to coat the veggies well.

TIP: Preheat the air fryer.

It doesn’t need to preheat as long as the oven would, but a few minutes is best for optimal browning.

2. Air fry. Place brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket (I love this air fryer because it has a large basket!) and cook for 5 minutes.

3. Toss and air fry again. Remove and shake the basket to toss brussels sprouts, then cook until golden brown and crispy.

TIP: Cook time can vary depending on the size of the sprouts.

Larger ones can take a few minutes longer. But be careful not to overcook, or you’ll get that bitter, sulfur flavor that gives brussels sprouts a bad rap.

How Long To Cook Brussels Sprouts In Air Fryer?

Crispy brussels sprouts in the air fryer take about 10 minutes to cook, or a few minutes longer for larger sprouts.

While oven roasted brussels sprouts work best at 400 degrees F, the extra air flow means a slightly lower temperature is better for the air fryer. 375 degrees F is ideal.

Other Common Questions

• Why won’t my brussels sprouts get crispy? If your brussels sprouts aren’t getting crispy, make sure they aren’t overcrowded in the air fryer. This will cause them to steam, instead of roast, which will result in brussels sprouts that aren’t crispy. Cook in batches if needed to ensure that there is adequate space.
• Should you cut brussels sprouts in half before cooking? Yes, it’s recommended to cut brussels sprouts in half before cooking, as it creates more surface area for them to caramelize and get crispy. Also, especially for large sprouts, it also makes them easier to eat. (You can even cut larger ones into quarters!)
• Can you cook frozen brussels sprouts in the air fryer? Yes, you can air fry frozen sprouts, but they won’t get as caramelized or crispy. Use fresh if you can.

Recipe Variations

• Parmesan cheese – Sprinkle some shredded parmesan over the sprouts after cooking, OR toss them in grated parmesan before cooking.
• Lemon – Swap the balsamic vinegar with a tablespoon of lemon juice (or lime juice) instead. You could add a teaspoon of lemon zest, too.
• Bacon – You can toss leftover chopped air fryer bacon with the cooked brussels, or just add small raw bacon pieces to the basket and it will be crispy by the time the sprouts are done.
• Seasonings – Try adding Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or simply crushed red pepper flakes, before roasting.
• Sweetness – Add a couple tablespoons of honey or maple syrup (or sugar-free honey or sugar-free maple syrup) before roasting for a sweet caramelized finish.
• More veggies – Try adding other root vegetables (like carrots, beets, rutabaga, or parsnips), and winter squash (like butternut squash, acorn squash, and pumpkin). Or, try mixed air fryer vegetables instead.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Reheat: You can reheat brussels sprouts in the air fryer or the oven, at 375 degrees F. (If previously frozen, you can thaw them first or roast from frozen.) Reheating in the microwave is okay, but they will no longer be crispy, so I don’t recommend it.
• Freeze: Store in an airtight container or bag in the freezer for 2-3 months.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

While they are delicious plain, feel free to serve up these air fryer brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze! Here are some main dish ideas to pair with this veggie:

• Chicken – Make your entire meal irresistibly crispy with baked chicken legs, air fryer chicken wings, or chicken leg quarters. If you prefer chicken breast, it doesn’t have to be boring! Take it up a notch with lemon garlic chicken or garlic butter chicken.
• Steak – Make air fryer steak for a casual dinner cooked in the same appliance, or make your meal extra special with a filet mignon or ribeye.
• Pork – Pork chops are a solid choice! Try pan seared pork chops or air fryer pork chops for the simplest prep, or stuffed pork chops if you have time.
• Fish – Make a quick and simple dinner with air fryer cod or air fryer shrimp. If you want to cook your main course while you have the brussels sprouts in the air fryer, some of my faves are pan seared salmon and parmesan crusted tilapia.

More Brussels Sprouts Recipes

If you like air fryer brussels sprouts recipes like this one, you might also like these other ways to cook them:

• Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
• Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Roasted Frozen Brussels Sprouts
• Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts
• Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad

Have an air fryer and looking for more healthy air fryer recipes? It’s great for other easy side dishes, like cheesy air fryer eggplant, crispy air fryer zucchini chips, tender air fryer green beans, or easy air fryer broccoli.

5 from 30 votes

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts (Fast & Crispy!)

Learn how to cook brussels sprouts in the air fryer! This 4-ingredient air fryer brussels sprouts recipe makes a healthy side in 10 minutes.

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Total: 15 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 4 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb Brussels sprouts (sliced in half lengthwise) ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar ▢
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder ▢
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

1. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. In a large bowl, toss the brussels sprouts with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.

3. Add the brussels sprouts to the air fryer basket. (Don't crowd the basket; each sprout should be touching the bottom, so cook in batches if they don't fit.) Cook for about 5 minutes.

4. Remove and shake the air fryer basket to toss the sprouts, then cook for another 5 minutes (or a few minutes longer for larger sprouts), until crispy and golden brown.

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• 
  Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe
• 
  Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Crispy!)

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories 105

Fat 7.3g

Protein 3.1g

Total Carbs 9g

Net Carbs 5.6g

Fiber 3.4g

Sugar 2.6g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keywords: air fryer brussels sprout recipe, air fryer brussels sprouts, brussels sprouts in the air fryer

Calories: 105 kcal

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