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!

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!

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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