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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Published: Apr 16, 2022 · Updated: May 2, 2022 by The Kitchen Girl

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

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5 from 2 votes
Jump To Recipe

Air fryer Brussels sprouts are perfectly crispy outside and tender inside with minimal oil. This air fried side or snack is ready in minutes!

Air fryer Brussels sprouts in white serving bowl

Did you love Brussels sprouts as a child? Me neither. Now that I'm a big kid with an air fryer, it is game on! As air fryer owners, we actually buy, cook, and eat Brussels sprouts on a regular basis. No kidding, air fried Brussels sprouts will turn haters into legit makers!

I have to share with you that my favorite side dish consists of air fried Brussels sprouts nestled in a bowl of Instant Pot quinoa with air fryer mushrooms and/or air fryer asparagus with an olive oil drizzle and Parmesan cheese. Sometimes, it's lunch! I'll even air fry all the veggies at once. So convenient!

Table of Contents hide
1) Why the air fryer makes the BEST Brussels sprouts
2) Which is correct, Brussel sprouts or Brussels sprouts?
3) What you'll need
4) Should you cut Brussels sprouts in half before cooking?
5) How to make air fried Brussels sprouts
6) Variations to Try
7) Tips for success
8) Can you air fry frozen Brussels sprouts?
9) What goes well with Brussels sprouts?
10) How to store and reheat
11) More Brussels sprouts recipes
12) Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Why the air fryer makes the BEST Brussels sprouts

  • uses minimal oil - only a light coating of oil for is needed, especially compared to frying.
  • less cook time - convection cooking reduces cook time to about 15 minutes which is 100% weeknight dinner material.
  • mostly hands-off - the sprouts only need to be stirred or shaken one time during the cycle.
  • keeps your kitchen cool - air fryers don't heat up your kitchen like a conventional oven.
  • frees up oven space - the air fryer allows you to put all the other things in your oven (especially great during for holiday cooking).
  • scrumptious results - you get beautifully caramelized, delightfully crispy outside with tender inside.

Best of all, crispy Brussels sprouts are super diet friendly and go with just about anything! Serve them alongside entrees like air fryer whole chicken or this creamy Instant Pot chicken Alfredo. So delicious!!

Air fryer Brussels sprouts in white serving bowl, with assorted garnishes

Which is correct, Brussel sprouts or Brussels sprouts?

Fun facts. Plenty of people use the spelling Brussel sprouts without the "s". Technically, there's an "s" in the spelling, making it Brussels sprouts, because they're historically named from their 13th century cultivation in Brussels, Belgium.

Overhead view of air fryer Brussels sprouts ingredients

What you'll need

You can garnish Brussels sprouts with any number of ingredients (I’ll share some ideas below!), but the basic recipe for air fryer Brussels sprouts requires only four items.

  • Brussels sprouts – use fresh or frozen Brussel sprouts
  • extra virgin olive oil - or preferred oil (oil spray) can be used
  • sea salt and black pepper - add to taste

Should you cut Brussels sprouts in half before cooking?

It's up to you! Cutting them in half, or even quartered, means they'll cook faster. Also, more flat surfaces means more exposure to more caramelization in the air fryer. This browning effect adds more color and flavor that, well, everyone seems to love!

How to make air fried Brussels sprouts

You’re minutes away from crispy, caramelized Brussels sprouts! Here’s what you’ll need to do.

Tossing Brussels sprouts with oil in glass mixing bowl

Coat the Brussels sprouts with oil. Place the sprouts in a large bowl and drizzle them with the olive oil. Toss to coat, making sure they’re evenly coated.

Uncooked Brussels sprouts in air fryer

Air fry the Brussels sprouts. Place the sprouts in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook the Brussels sprouts for 6 to 8 minutes at 370°F. Remove them from the fryer and stir or shake, if needed. Cook another 6 to 8 minutes, or until they’re browned and crispy to your liking.

Cooked Brussels sprouts in air fryer

Season. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then serve.

The best air fryer for the job

Any air fryer can be used for this recipe. I'm using my pod-shaped air fryer here, but you can use a large toaster oven style fryer, or this smaller oven.

Different brand cookers vary in size, shape, and wattage. If you're still warming up to your air fryer, check in during the cook cycle as often as needed to insure things are on track.

Variations to Try

Want to take your sprouts to the next level? Add any of these ingredients just before serving.

  • balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze
  • crispy bacon
  • Parmesan cheese
  • lemon tahini sauce or plain lemon juice with zest
  • sesame seeds or toasted walnuts
  • sweet chili sauce

Tips for success

This recipe is fairly straight-forward, but these additional tips will help make sure it turns out perfect!

  • Dry the Brussels sprouts. If you want to ensure a crispier surface, remove excess moisture from the sprouts after washing to prevent steaming and promote air frying. This also allows the oil to coat the surface more evenly.
  • Use minimal oil - You only need a light coating of oil for air fried Brussels sprouts. Either toss the sprouts in a small amount of oil in a mixing bowl, or use oil spray to coat them before adding to the air fryer basket to prevent wasting the spray.
  • Don't crowd the air fryer basket - It's ok if the sprouts touch here and there. But, keeping them in a single layer with some breathing room ensures better heat distribution. This results in the perfect crispy outside and tender inside.
  • Experiment and have fun! - I want you to make the best Brussels sprouts and love them as much as I do. Use my recipe as a guide, but do explore different times and temperatures if needed. And go crazy with the seasonings and toppings.

Can you air fry frozen Brussels sprouts?

Yes! It's easy to cook frozen Brussels sprouts in the air fryer following almost the same recipe instructions. Know that, because they're frozen, they'll steam more than fry, and will require extra minutes to cook, so adjust accordingly.

What goes well with Brussels sprouts?

Air fried Brussels sprouts complement so many different foods and meals. Serve them with:

  • Air Fryer Turkey Breast
  • Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
  • Greek Lemon Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer Chicken Breast
  • Garlic Butter Grilled Salmon Recipe
  • Orange Glazed Spiral Ham
  • Pan Fried Pork Chops
Air fryer Brussels sprouts in white serving bowl

How to store and reheat

Allow Brussels sprouts to cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days. You can reheat in the air fryer at 350°F which is a delicate warming temperature that will prevent burning.

More Brussels sprouts recipes

  • Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Kale Sesame Noodles
Air fryer Brussels sprouts in white serving bowl

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air fryer Brussels sprouts are perfectly crispy outside and tender inside with minimal oil. This air fried side or snack is ready in minutes!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 cups
Author: Traci The Kitchen Girl

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Brussels Sprouts, 4 cups trimmed and halved
  • 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil, or preferred oil
  • Pinch Sea Salt, optional
  • Pinch Black Pepper, optional

Equipment

  • chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • mixing bowl
  • stirring utensil
  • 5.7 quart basket air fryer (Cosori XL) or other air fryer
  • airtight food storage container

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, toss BRUSSEL SPROUTS in OLIVE OIL to coat.
  • Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  • Air fry the Brussels sprouts at 370°F for 6-8 minutes.
  • Remove basket, shake or stir the sprouts, and roast another 6-8 minutes, or until tender and crispy to your liking.
  • Sprinkle SALT and PEPPER, to taste, and serve.
  • Allow to cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days.
Tried this recipe? I'd love your review!Visit the comments below and tell me how it went.

Traci's Recipe Tips

Frozen Brussels sprouts in air fryer should be prepared the same way, adding a few more minutes as needed until they are cooked through.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 441mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 855IU | Vitamin C: 96mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.

Course Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Diet Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Salt, Vegan, Vegetarian
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Hi! I'm Traci and I'm sharing my easy recipes with everyday ingredients, straightforward instructions, and ALL the flavor. We have food for every occasion. Start with my easy dinner recipes and eat happy tonight!

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Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    April 16, 2022 at 6:40 pm

    5 stars

    Reply
  2. Jeff says

    April 16, 2022 at 8:57 am

    5 stars
    Yes KG!! Air fryer brussel sprouts couldn't be easier, but I love all of your helpful tips, especially about making sure they're completely dry. Game changer and crispy for the win!

    Reply

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