Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts is our new favorite way to get crispy yet tender Brussels Sprouts. It's quick and easy and tastes amazing. Make this tasty recipe and add your favorite balsamic glaze or garlic parmesan for the perfect side dish.
Why This Recipe is the Best
This delicious recipe is an easy way to cook fresh Brussels Sprouts for a perfect side or snack. It can be adapted to make many different styles, including balsamic, maple, honey, garlic, or even adding bacon. We love making this easy air fryer recipe as a side for any meal. It adds a delicious, green, and tasty flavor to any meal.
My favorite thing about these Brussels sprouts is that they are crispy yet tender Brussels Sprouts, never soggy and mushy. The perfect texture! The perfect side with Bacon Wrapped Chicken, or Homemade Chicken Nuggets.
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Key Ingredients
The best part about this recipe is how simple it is to make. You only need a few ingredients for the base of this recipe.
- Brussels Sprouts - halved, this helps them to cook all the way through and not burn.
- Olive Oil - The olive oil tastes great with the vegetables. A better oil for the air fryer is Avocado oil because it has a higher smoking point, so you can easily use that as a substitute.
- Garlic Powder- You can also use minced garlic, but the garlic powder distributes better as a seasoning.
How to make Brussels Sprouts in an Air Fryer
Follow these step-by-step instructions for an easy how-to recipe. Use the pictures when needed.
- Wash the Brussels sprouts. Cut the tails off as necessary and then cut them in half.
- Place halved Brussels sprouts in a medium mixing bowl. Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt until evenly coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the halved Brussels sprouts at the bottom of the air fry basket. Make sure they aren't on top of each other to ensure even cooking. Some overlapping is ok.
- Air fry for 5 minutes. Take the basket out and shake the basket. This helps them cook evenly. Cook for an additional 5 minutes and shake the basket. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until they are crispy yet tender.
- Be sure to keep an eye on them during the remaining minutes, as every air fryer cooks differently.
Hint: All air fryers are not created equal! Be sure to keep an eye on your Brussels sprouts while cooking not to overcook them. Some air fryers cook quicker or slower than the air fryer used for this recipe.
How to Serve
Serve Brussel sprouts as the recipe says, or drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar over the top. This is our favorite way to eat them! I also love making them sprinkle with garlic and Parmesan, or even maple syrup for a sweet side.
Top Tip
All air fryers cook differently. You may need to adjust the cook time to avoid undercooking or overcooking the Brussels sprouts. It's important to remember to shake the basket periodically during cooking to make sure the Brussel sprouts cook evenly.
Recipe
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups Brussel sprouts cut in half
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wash the Brussel sprouts and then cut them in half. Cutting them in half will allow them to cook evenly without burning.
- Place halved Brussel sprouts in a medium mixing bowl. Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt until evenly coated.
- Place the halved Brussels sprouts at the bottom of the air fry basket. Make sure they aren't on top of each other to ensure even cooking. Some overlapping is ok.
- Air fry for 5 minutes. Take the basket out and shake the basket. This helps them cook evenly. Cook for an additional 5 minutes and shake the basket. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until they are crispy yet tender. Be sure to keep an eye on them during the remaining minutes as every air fryer cooks differently.
- Serve Brussels sprouts as is, or drizzle 1-2 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar over the top. This is our favorite way to eat them!
Notes
- Use Everything But The Bagel seasoning instead of garlic and salt.
- Add chopped bacon to make it a bacon side dish.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze after it's cooked.
- This recipe is intended for fresh Brussels Sprouts but you can use it with frozen. The texture will be different than fresh.
- Honey- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of honey over the cooked Brussel sprouts for a sweet taste. Do not season with garlic powder.
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- Maple - drizzle 1 tablespoon of maple syrup over the top of cooked Brussel sprouts. Do not add garlic powder at the beginning.
- Parmesan - Once cooked, top this air fryer side dish with fresh parmesan or grated parmesan for a cheesy dish.
- Honey Sriracha- Want a sweet and spicy side dish? Drizzle 1 tablespoon of honey over cooked sprouts and 1 teaspoon of sriracha. Add more sriracha, as desired, for a spicier kick!
Nutrition
Check out our other oven-baked Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts for a great way to serve Brussel Sprouts for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or even Easter.
Storing Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Store cooked Brussel sprouts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. These do not freeze well, and it is not recommended. They will become mushy if frozen and thawed.
Reheat leftover Brussels sprouts in the air fryer to maintain a similar texture.
You can also reheat them in the microwave. They may have a softer texture than the original air fryer product.
Substitutions
- Everything But the Bagel Seasoning- instead of garlic and salt, seasoned uncooked Brussels sprouts with everything but the bagel seasoning as found at Trader Joe's and Aldi.
- Maple Syrup- for an oil-free side dish, substitute the olive oil for maple syrup at a 1:1 ratio.
- Balsamic - add 1-2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar to every 3 cups of Brussels sprouts. Add more according to taste.
- Bacon - chop 2-3 strips of raw bacon into bite-sized pieces and cook in the air fryer with the Brussels sprouts.
- This recipe is meant for fresh Brussels sprouts, but frozen ones can be used at a 1:1 ratio. Be aware that the texture will be different.
- Try them tossed with our version of Hello Fresh Fry Seasoning.
Yes! Follow this recipe to make perfectly crispy yet tender Brussels sprouts in the air fryer.
Yes! Cutting the Brussel Sprouts in half, or quartering them, will allow them to fully cook without burning.
Yes! Substitute olive oil at a 1:1 ratio with maple syrup. The liquid will add a sweet and delicious flavor and help them not to dry out.
Yes! Just like your oven and air fryer need to preheat to cook evenly and for the appropriate amount of time.
Oftentimes, when Brussels sprouts are overcooked using various methods, they will become mushy. Using this air fryer method allows you to have crispy yet tender Brussels sprouts without the mush!
Cook at a temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit and shake the basket periodically to ensure even cooking.
Brussels sprouts cook much faster in an air fryer than they do roasted in the oven. Using this recipe, you will have a delicious side ready in less than 15 minutes.
Yes! Just like an oven, you can put parchment paper and tin foil in an air fryer. Most parchment paper can withstand temperatures above 400 degrees.
Danielle says
Great recipe! Brussels was one thing I had not tried in the air fryer and this recipe came out great!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
This is the perfect way to get crispy sprouts without too much oil. I love the flavour when they are cooked like his!