There's something about the crisp, caramelized edges and tender centers of perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts that just hits the spot. This Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe brings that magic to your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Trust me, once you've tried it this way, it might become your go-to veggie side dish for good.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m honestly excited every time I make this Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe because it transforms what could be a dull veggie into a flavorful, crispy, garlicky delight. It’s fast, fuss-free, and easily customizable — plus, who doesn’t love a side dish that cooks itself while you prep the rest of dinner?
- Quick and Easy: It only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, making it a perfect weekday side dish.
- Crispy Perfection: The air fryer crisps up the edges beautifully without drying out the sprouts.
- Customizable Flavors: You can add garlic, balsamic glaze, or even maple syrup to suit your taste buds.
- Minimal Cleanup: Using the air fryer means less mess than roasting in the oven.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a role in making this Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe shine — from the olive oil that helps create that crisp texture, to the garlic and Parmesan that boost flavor in the simplest way.
- Brussels sprouts: Fresh and firm sprouts work best — trimming and halving them ensures even cooking.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds flavor and helps achieve that golden crispness without burning.
- Kosher salt: Enhances the natural nuttiness of the Brussels sprouts.
- Ground black pepper: Adds mild heat and complexity.
- Garlic cloves: Thinly sliced, they become crispy and impart an irresistible aroma.
- Balsamic glaze or reduced balsamic vinegar: Adds a tangy sweetness that balances the sprouts’ earthiness.
- Pomegranate molasses: Offers a tart and fruity twist if you want to experiment.
- Pure maple syrup: A touch of natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Melts just enough to add a savory punch and nutty notes.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts about this Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe is how easy it is to tailor. I sometimes swap the garlic for smoked paprika for a smoky twist, or drizzle on a bit of maple syrup when I want a sweeter side.
- Variation: If you want to make it vegan, skip the Parmesan and add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast instead — it adds a cheesy flavor without dairy.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of chili flakes before air frying to give it a playful kick that wakes up your palate.
- Seasonal Twist: In the fall, I love tossing in diced apples or dried cranberries after cooking for an extra burst of flavor.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Step 1: Prep Like a Pro
Start by trimming the Brussels sprouts — snip off the tough stem ends and peel away any browned leaves. Then, halve them through the stem so they cook evenly. If you have really large ones, go ahead and quarter them; uniformity ensures consistent cooking. I often skip soaking them in warm water, but if you want them extra tender inside, a 10-minute soak helps. Just be sure to pat them dry well before tossing with oil.
Step 2: Get Your Air Fryer Ready
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. (My machine takes about three minutes to reach temperature.) This step helps start the crisping right away, so your Brussels sprouts come out perfectly cooked.
Step 3: Toss with Oil, Salt & Pepper
Once the sprouts are dry, toss them in a bowl with olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper. This simple seasoning is the foundation of the flavor. Use your hands or a spoon to ensure every piece is coated. Then spread them in the fryer basket without crowding — air circulation is key to that crispy outside.
Step 4: Cook and Shake
Cook for 5 minutes and then give the basket a good shake to move the sprouts around for even cooking. Cook for another 5 minutes, then check for a crispy, golden color. Add the garlic slices and toss them in, then cook for 2 to 4 more minutes until the sprouts are crispy and the garlic is golden brown. Don’t be afraid to peek and shake the basket here; this helps avoid burning and promotes even crisping.
Step 5: Add Your Favorite Toppings
Transfer your sprouts to a bowl and stir in any toppings you like — balsamic glaze, pomegranate molasses, or a drizzle of maple syrup all add a delicious finishing touch. Freshly grated Parmesan is my personal favorite right after cooking for a bit of salty umami.
Top Tip
Through lots of air fryer trial runs, I’ve learned a few tips that will make your Brussels sprouts turn out just right every time.
- Don’t skip drying: After rinsing or soaking, pat your Brussels sprouts dry thoroughly—moisture on the surface will steam them instead of crisping.
- Shake the basket: Giving your sprouts a shake halfway through cooking helps them brown evenly and prevents sogginess.
- Add garlic late: Toss garlic in during the last few minutes so it crisps without burning and turns nicely golden.
- Watch the crowding: Fill the basket in a single layer for best crisping—too many sprouts will steam instead of roast.
How to Serve Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping the finished sprouts with freshly grated Parmesan and a drizzle of balsamic glaze — it feels fancy but is so easy. Sometimes I sprinkle toasted pine nuts or chopped fresh herbs like parsley for an extra flavor pop and crunch.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken, grilled steak, or even a cozy pasta dish. When I’m craving comfort food, I’ll serve these crispy Brussels sprouts alongside mashed potatoes or a creamy risotto for balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or special dinners, I like to arrange the sprouts on a festive platter, sprinkle them with bright pomegranate seeds, and add a few sprigs of fresh rosemary to make the plate pop. It turns a humble side into something that grabs attention.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover Brussels sprouts in an airtight container in the fridge and they stay good for about 4 days. When I reheat, I prefer to use the oven so they keep their crisp texture instead of getting soggy.
Freezing
Honestly, freezing isn’t my favorite option here because the texture gets mushy after thawing. But if you do freeze them, use a freezer-safe container and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheating on a baking sheet in an oven at 350°F works best to bring back crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make the sprouts soft and less appetizing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Frozen Brussels sprouts tend to release moisture during cooking, which can prevent them from getting crispy in the air fryer. For best results, use fresh Brussels sprouts, but if you’re in a pinch, thaw and pat frozen sprouts very dry before cooking.
Preheating the air fryer at 375 degrees helps the Brussels sprouts cook evenly and develop that lovely crispy texture right from the start. I recommend preheating for about 3 minutes for best results.
Adding thinly sliced garlic in the last few minutes lets it crisp up without burning. Garlic cooks quickly and can get bitter if overcooked, so wait until the Brussels sprouts are mostly done before tossing it in.
You can prepare the Brussels sprouts ahead by trimming and halving them, then storing them in the fridge until ready to cook. However, I recommend cooking them just before serving to keep them crispy and fresh. Leftovers can be reheated later as explained above.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe has become a little kitchen hero for me — quick enough for busy weeknights but impressive enough for guests. I hope you give it a try and find the same joy in those crispy, garlicky bites. It’s a simple way to elevate a humble veggie into a dish you’ll actually look forward to serving and eating again and again.
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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy and flavorful air fryer Brussels sprouts that are perfectly tender inside and delightfully crisp on the outside, enhanced with optional garlic and delicious toppings like balsamic glaze, pomegranate molasses, maple syrup, or Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Brussels Sprouts
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (optional)
Optional Toppings
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze or reduced balsamic vinegar
- Drizzle pomegranate molasses
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Brussels sprouts. Trim off the ends and remove any brown outer leaves. Cut Brussels sprouts in half from stem to end, or quarters if very large, to ensure even cooking.
- Optional soaking. Place Brussels sprouts in a large bowl and cover with warm tap water. Let sit for 10 minutes to soften, then drain and pat dry with a towel. This step can be skipped if you prefer a firmer texture.
- Preheat air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, following your manufacturer's instructions (about 3 minutes for most models).
- Season the sprouts. Place dried Brussels sprouts back in the bowl, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper, and toss to coat evenly. Add them to the air fryer basket.
- Initial cooking. Cook the Brussels sprouts for 5 minutes, then remove the basket and shake to toss for even cooking.
- Continue cooking. Cook an additional 5 minutes, then shake the basket again. The sprouts should start to look crispy and nearly done.
- Add garlic. Add the thinly sliced garlic cloves, toss to coat, and cook for 2 to 4 more minutes, shaking the basket often, until the sprouts are deeply crisp.
- Add toppings and serve. Transfer Brussels sprouts to a serving bowl and stir in any desired toppings such as balsamic glaze, pomegranate molasses, maple syrup, or Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- TO STORE: Refrigerate Brussels sprouts in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through.
- TO FREEZE: Brussels sprouts tend to get mushy after freezing and thawing, so freezing is not recommended. If necessary, freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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