Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts turn out perfectly crispy and are one of the best recipes when you need a healthy side dish. They only take a few minutes to cook perfectly in the air fryer and then you can add all types of toppings like balsamic vinegar, bacon, honey, garlic, onion, or parmesan cheese! And yes, if you cook them in the air fryer, your kids will LOVE them!
What I Love About Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
As a mom of 6 busy kids, there is nothing better than a recipe that covers all the basic momma must-haves: easy, delicious, healthy, and something the kids will actually eat! Now, stop doubting that this recipe is a kid-friendly one. Yes, they are brussel sprouts, which have a horrible reputation, but that’s because they are prepared the wrong way!
Air fryer brussel sprouts transform a kid-hated veggie into a crispy bite of deliciousness on the outside and so tender on the inside. Plus, since they get roasted inside the air fryer, that caramelization also adds some sweetness. Seriously, I make two recipes when they are on the menu because we are obsessed with them. All of us!
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts Ingredients
If you love whole-food recipes, these brussel sprouts are just for you! Nothing but healthy, whole ingredients from top to bottom.
Fresh brussel sprouts, cut in half lengthwise
Canola or olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Garlic powder
How To Make Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
If you’ve roasted vegetables in a regular oven before, the process will be very similar. But, using the air fryer requires less oil and significantly less time.
Cut brussel sprouts lengthwise from stem to tip, keeping the stem intact so the sprout doesn’t fall apart.
Toss sprouts with oil and seasonings.
Air fry the brussel sprouts at 380 degrees for 5 minutes.
Shake the air fryer basket to toss the sprout around and roast for another 5 minutes.
Shake the basket one more time and air fry for 3 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
Why won’t my brussel sprouts get crispy?
If you are making the brussel sprouts in an air fryer, it is important that you don’t put too many in the tray. Don’t use more than one pound. There needs to be enough space for the hot convected air to get around each sprout. Also, be sure you are using enough oil and shaking the tray multiple times as the brussel sprouts cook in the air fryer.
Do you cut brussel sprouts before roasting?
Yes, to get crispy brussel sprouts when roasting them, they need to be cut in half length-wise. Doing so keeps the stem intact so the leaves won’t come off. If you have larger brussel sprouts, it would be wise to cut them into quarters or the outside will roast quickly before the inside can get tender.
My brussel sprouts were bitter and tough
Here’s the key to sweeter, more tender brussel spouts in the air fryer, or any way you cook them. You want to pick small sprouts at the store. The bigger they are when they are harvested, the more bitter and tough they tend to be. Go small and you’ll have a completely different end result!
How long to cook brussel sprouts in an air fryer?
As long as you don’t overcrowd your basket, it will take about 13-15 minutes at 380 degrees to cook brussel sprouts in an air fryer. Anything less than that and the insides won’t get tender. Anything longer than that and the outside leaves of the sprouts will begin to burn.
Can I make air fryer brussel sprouts using frozen sprouts?
Yes, you can use frozen ones when making this recipe in an air fryer but the end result will be a bit different because of the excess moisture. They will be a bit mushier on the inside and not quite as crisp on the outside. To use frozen brussel sprouts, keep the recipe the same but increase the third cook time in the air fryer to 5-7 minutes.
Does an air fryer fry food?
No, an air fryer does not fry food in the way Americans view fried food, immersed in hot oil. In fact, an air fryer is simply a countertop convection oven that does an amazing job of quickly roasting foods at high temperatures. It’s that convection feature that gives any food you cook in an air fryer the signature crispiness.
Recipe Variations
Being a home cook provides endless opportunities to experiment with recipes, personalizing them to your tastes and creativity. Any of the following variations would be great spin-offs of this brussel sprouts recipe:
Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the top of the roasted brussel sprouts. I like to use a balsamic syrup because it adds both acidity and sweetness. You can also use plain balsamic vinegar but just add a few shakes over the top so it doesn’t overpower the sprouts.
Grate fresh parmesan cheese on top of the finished brussel sprouts. And please, don’t use the pre-grated cheese or stuff in the green can. A simple Google search will tell you why.
Add chopped bacon if you want both some protein and an extra boost of flavor. Add the already-cooked bacon pieces to the last 3 minutes in the air fryer.
Drizzle honey over the top of the air fryer brussel sprouts for added sweetness. This is especially helpful if your sprouts are a bit on the bitter side. Don’t go crazy. Use 1/2 – 3/4 teaspoon over the finished, hot sprouts and toss to coat.
Crispy and tender brussel sprouts that are ready in just a few minutes! Use the air fryer or I’ve also included regular oven directions as well.
Total Time:18 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound brussel sprouts
2 teaspoons canola oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Cut the sprouts in half lengthwise, from tip to stem. If any sprouts are too big, cut them into quarters. You want to keep the stem to keep the leaves intact on each brussel sprout.
Combine the cut sprouts, oil, and seasonings in a bowl. Toss to coat each sprout.
Place in the tray of the air fryer and roast at 380 degrees for 5 minutes.
Remove the tray and shake it to toss the sprout around. Roast for another 5 minutes.
Remove the tray and shake again. Roast for another 3 minutes.
Serve
Notes
Recipe variations to add to finished sprouts –Â add 1 Tb grated parmesan, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze, or sprinkle on chopped bacon.
Author:Carole Jones
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:13 minutes
Category:Side Dish
Method:Air Fryer
Cuisine:American
Nutrition
Serving Size:1/4
Calories:67
Sugar:2 g
Sodium:220 mg
Fat:2 g
Saturated Fat:1 g
Unsaturated Fat:0 g
Trans Fat:0 g
Carbohydrates:8 g
Fiber:5 g
Protein:4 g
Cholesterol:0 mg
Carole Jones
Carole Jones is an Arizona-based cookbook author & food blogger. She's authored The 30 Minute Cooking From Frozen Cookbook and the self-published Take 5: Chicken e-cookbook. For the past 15 years, Carole has shared her culinary adventures cooking and baking for her six brutally honest children here on My Kitchen Escapades. Hot, crusty bread is Carole's love language, but her two adorable grandchildren are a close second. Yes, second. Don't judge.
The air is getting cooler and the leaves are turning which means it is time to break out those fall recipes and start cooking with apples, pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes, and cabbage. I have put together...
In the realm of Mexican cuisine, few dishes evoke the same level of excitement and flavor explosion as pork carnitas. These succulent, tender chunks of pork are a staple of street food culture and home...
If you're a fan of crispy, flavorful, and guilt-free snacking, then you're in for a treat with these air fryer sweet potato wedges. Sweet potatoes, with their natural sweetness and vibrant color, take...
Discover the Deliciousness of Air Fryer Red Potatoes! Together we'll explore the quick and easy way to prepare mouthwatering red potatoes using an air fryer. They are so simple that even your kids can...
Ready for the ultimate recipe for quick and flavorful seafood: air fryer frozen salmon. Say goodbye to the lengthy thawing of the frozen salmon filets. Join us as we unlock the secrets of creating restaurant-quality...
Every summer, there's nothing like biting into a perfectly cooked ear of sweet corn on the cob. Traditionally, corn on the cob has been prepared by boiling or grilling, but today, we're here to introduce...
