Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are just as delicious and crispy as deep-fried Brussels sprouts, minus the fat! Serve them as a tasty side dish or an irresistible appetizer.
If you love deep-fried Brussels Sprouts that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, I have a treat for you!
You can enjoy the same texture and flavor of fried Brussels sprouts, minus the excess fat and calories with this recipe for Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts.
Made with just a tiny bit of oil and the magic of the air fryer, Brussels sprouts get charred and crispy on the outside and yet tender on the inside. And are just downright delicious!
While I love Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Brussels Sprouts Salad, my favorite way to enjoy this vegetable is air-fried. They taste decadent, yet Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are a guilt-free recipe!
What You Need
- Brussels Sprouts: Use fresh, whole Brussels sprouts for best results.
- Oil: You only need a tiny bit of oil for this recipe. Feel free to use olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil.
- Seasonings: I keep it simple with just salt and pepper, but feel free to add ½ teaspoon each of onion powder, paprika, and/or garlic powder.
- Air Fryer: This recipe for Brussels sprouts will work with any model air fryer you have. Keep in mind you may need to work in batches if you have a compact air fryer.
How to Air Fry Brussels Sprouts
- Wash the whole Brussels sprouts and then cut them in half. If needed, trim off any thick woody end, but it is best to keep a bit of the base, to keep the Brussels sprouts intact when cut in half. and cut in half.
- Place the trimmed Brussels sprouts in a large microwave-safe bowl with ½ cup of water. Microwave for 3 minutes. This will help to soften the interior of the Brussels sprouts so they will be tender on the interior, without burning in the air fryer.
- Drain the Brussels sprouts and pat dry with a paper towel. This will help the seasonings adhere and allow the Brussels Sprouts to crisp up.
- Wipe the bowl dry and place the Brussels sprouts back into the bowl and then toss with oil, salt, and pepper.
- Spread out evenly in the air fryer. Remember it is best to cook in batches rather than overcrowd the air fryer basket. Air fry for 5 minutes, give the basket a shake and then return the Brussels sprouts to the air fryer for 5 minutes. Shake again and continue to air fry in 2-minute intervals until you reach your desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve Air Fryer Brussels sprouts with a side of ranch dressing or dill dip for a delicious appetizer.
- Drizzle the warm Brussels sprouts with a mixture of 1 tablespoon maple syrup and 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce for a sweet and spicy, addictive treat.
- I love to add crispy air-fried Brussels sprouts to salads, like Butternut Squash Salad or grain bowls for crunch.
- Serve as a side dish to meals like Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin or Instant Pot Brats.
Recipe FAQs
No! This is a personal preference. If you want a soft interior and crispy exterior, I do recommend quickly cooking the Brussels Sprouts BEFORE air frying. If you like a really crisp bite, you can skip the step of par-cooking.
Yes, just keep in mind that the texture will not be the same as if using fresh Brussels. The interior will be much softer and the exterior, will crisp up, but not to the extent that fresh Brussels Sprouts do. To air-fry frozen Brussels sprouts, give the basket a spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place frozen Brussels sprouts directly into the air fryer in a single layer. Air fry at 375 degrees F for 8 minutes. Remove the basket, flip and continue to air fry for another 8 minutes. If using large Brussels sprouts, you may need to add 2-4 minutes of additional cooking time to get the desired results. Season with salt and serve.
If you do not want to use any oil to coat Brussels Sprouts, I recommend using olive oil or avocado cooking spray. This will help the Brussels Sprouts to keep from sticking to the air fryer and getting crispy. You can skip the cooking spray and use parchment paper designed for the air fryer, but keep in mind your sprouts may not get as crispy.
It is important to not overlap the Brussels Sprouts much in the air fryer so that they cook and brown evenly. if needed, work in batches and keep the first batch in the oven at 200 degrees F while the other batch cooks up.
More Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Air Fryer Squash
If you tried these Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels Sprouts
- ½ teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- If needed per your model of Air Fryer, preheat to 375 degrees F.
- Wash the Brussels Sprouts, remove any thick woody base (leaving enough to keep the sprouts intact when cut in half), and then cut the Brussels sprouts in half.
- If desiring softer Brussels Sprouts (recommended): Place the trimmed Brussels sprouts in a large microwave-safe bowl with ½ cup of water. Microwave for 3 minutes.
- Drain the Brussels sprouts and pat dry with a paper towel. Dry out the bowl and return the Brussels sprouts to the bowl. Toss with oil, salt, and pepper.
- Spread out the seasoned Brussels Sprouts evenly in the air fryer in a single layer. Air fry at 375 degrees F for 5 minutes, remove the basket, flip or shake the Brussels sprouts and return to the air fryer and cook for another 5 minutes. Shake again and continue to air fry in 2-minute intervals until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve as desired.
Betsy
Love this! I've pan fried brussel sprouts before, but this is so much easier and faster! I love to toss mine in a bit of maple syrup and add some bacon. Absolutely delicious!
Lily
This was such a simple recipe, makes for the perfect side for any weeknight when I need something super easy and quick!