An easy recipe for crisp but tender sprouts. Air fryer Brussels sprouts makes for a tasty side dish which is ready in twenty minutes or less. Stick to the basic recipe which goes with just about everything or switch it up to suit your mood. Oven roasted version included.
Brussels sprouts are really quite wondrous. They’re like mini cabbages with tightly packed leaves and a lovely nutty flavour when fresh. They’re also ever so good for you. But have you tried them air fried? If not, you’re in for a treat. They’re very similar to roasted Brussels sprouts, but they require less oil and don’t take as long to cook.
Dive Right In
- Why Make Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts?
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Ingredients
- How To Make Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- How To Make Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Variations
- Brussels Sprouts FAQs
- Other Air Fryer Veg Recipes You Might Like
- Keep In Touch
- The Recipe
Why Make Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts?
This easy air fryer recipe transforms ordinary Brussels sprouts into crispy, flavoursome nuggets. Need more convincing? I’ve listed a few good reasons below as to why you might want to make air fryer Brussels sprouts.
- Crispy Texture – Air frying Brussels sprouts results in a crispy exterior while maintaining a tender interior. This texture contrast adds a satisfying crunch to each bite, which can make them enjoyable even to those who don’t typically like Brussels sprouts.
- Efficient – Air frying is generally quicker and cheaper than oven-roasting. So this recipe saves time as well as electricity. It makes for a quick and easy homemade side dish for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
- Healthy – Brussels sprouts are packed with fibre and nutrients such as vitamins C and K as well as antioxidants. Air frying them requires minimal oil. This makes it a healthier option than traditional frying methods, roasting or smothering boiled sprouts in butter.
- Minimal Cleanup – It’s a lot easier to clean up after air frying sprouts rather than roasting them. Yay to that!
- Versatile – There are so many possible variations to this recipe that you can make it suitable for all sorts of meals and all sorts of occasions. You can add extra seasonings, cover the cooked sprouts with sauce or add a variety of toppings.
- Visually Appealing – Air fryer Brussels sprouts can look really good. With their vibrant green colour and crispy brown edges, it makes for an attractive side dish.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Not everyone loves Brussels sprouts, but this air fryer recipe might turn haters into lovers. Of if not quite that far, they might just eat them as opposed to leaving them on the side of their plate.
Air frying the sprouts not only cooks the sprouts, but it dehydrates them too, so you end up with smaller, but crispier and tastier versions.
The resulting crispy green gems are plainly seasoned but very tasty. However, I have a whole heap of suggestions to up their game if needed. Just head to the variations section further down this post.
As air fried sprouts are so quick and easy to prepare, it’s a perfect recipe for busy weeknights. However, it’s also serves as a standout side dish for any occasion.
If you’re looking for an even simpler Brussels sprouts recipe, head over to my post on how to cook the perfect Brussels sprouts.
Ingredients
Really you don’t need a lot more than Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea) for this recipe. But although you can cook them just as they are, they do benefit from a little extra virgin olive oil. This helps to crisp them up and also adds flavour.
Likewise they benefit from a little salt and pepper. I use fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. These give the best flavour in my opinion.
However, if you’re looking for something even more exciting, I have a list of additions you can make further down this post.
How To Make Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air fryer Brussels sprouts are a quick and easy way to create an interesting side dish with minimum effort.
Please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full instructions, timings and quantities of ingredients used.
Step 1. Prepare Sprouts
Use a sharp knife to trim the base of the stalks and any yellowing or damaged leaves from the sprouts if needed. How much, if any you need to remove will depend on the state of your veg.
Give them a quick rinse in a bowl of clean water, then leave them to drain in a sieve or colander. Alternatively pat them dry with a clean tea towel or piece of kitchen paper.
Cut each sprout in half from top to bottom with the same sharp knife. It’s good to have them all more or less the same size, so you may need to cut larger sprouts into thirds or quarters.
Remove any leaves that fall off. Loose leaves will just burn in the air fryer.
Step 2. Season Sprouts
Place the sprout halves in a mixing bowl. Add the oil and seasoning then give everything a really good stir to ensure the sprouts are evenly coated.
You can use your hands to do this, but a spoon works just as well.
Step 3. Cook Sprouts
Preheat your air fryer if necessary. Transfer the sprouts from the bowl to the air fryer drawer and arrange into a single layer if you can. If not, don’t worry, just shake the basket a little more frequently, whilst the sprouts cook and give them a few minutes longer.
“Fry” for four minutes then give the basket a good shake. Cook for a further four minutes. Give the basket another shake and cook for a further two to six minutes. How long it actually takes depends on your air-fryer, how crowded the basket is and how big your sprouts are.
They should look caramelised all over, but the best way to test for doneness is to try one. If they need longer give them another blast. I “fry” mine for twelve minutes in total.
Transfer to a warmed serving dish or directly onto plates. Eat immediately whilst hot and crisp.
How To Make Roasted Brussels Sprouts
The method for roasting Brussels sprouts is pretty similar to that of the air fryer. However, you’ll need to use more oil, space your sprouts out further and cook for a longer time.
- Preheat your oven to 210℃ (190℃ fan, 410℉, Gas 7).
- Prepare the sprouts as mentioned in the recipe, but use two teaspoons of oil rather than one.
- Place the sprouts cut side down well apart on a large baking sheet, or two if needed.
- Put the baking tray in the top half of the oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes. Toss the sprouts after the first fifteen minutes to ensure even cooking.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts: Variations
These air fryer Brussels sprouts are really good just as they are, but sometimes, it’s good to change things up a bit. Here are a few suggestions.
Add half a teaspoon of chilli flakes to the sprouts along with the salt and pepper prior to cooking.
My absolute favourite way to enjoy air fryer Brussels sprouts is to dress them with lemon, honey and garlic as soon as they’re cooked. Finely grate one clove of garlic into the same bowl you used to mix the sprouts prior to air frying. Squeeze in the juice of half a lemon and add a teaspoon of honey. Whisk it all together, then tip in the hot sprouts. Give a good stir and serve. For a vegan alternative, swap the honey for maple syrup.
Stir in half a tablespoon of good balsamic vinegar to the sprouts along with the oil prior to cooking.
Toss the sprouts in garlic butter once cooked.
Add a clove of grated garlic to the sprouts two minutes before they’ve finished cooking in the air fryer.
Roughly chop roasted hazelnuts and stir into the Brussels sprouts once cooked.
Tip the hot sprouts into a serving dish. Then sprinkle them with a tablespoon of finely grated Parmesan type cheese. There are vegetarian versions out there and also vegan ones. Toss, if liked. OR for an even crispier result, toss with the cheese three minutes before the sprouts are done, then finish off in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts: FAQs
Brussels sprouts are packed with nutritious vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They also contain a high amount of gut healthy fibre. A serving of 8-10 sprouts counts towards your five-a-day.
Depending on the size and how crisp or tender you want them, it will take somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes. If you like them slightly crunchy they’ll need less time and if you like them soft inside they’ll take longer. But the longer they cook, the more burnt the outer leaves will get.
Parboiling sprouts can ensure they are soft all the way through. However, it’s an extra step which takes time and creates more washing up, so I don’t personally think it’s worth it. The texture of strait forward air fried sprouts is already good.
If you’re really concerned, you can soak the sprouts in tepid salted water. This not only seasons them, but it creates steam whilst they cook which helps to tenderise them.
Air fryer Brussels sprouts are best eaten as soon as they’re cooked. However, you can keep an leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Either use them added to other recipes such as pasta, salads or sandwiches or reheat them in the air fryer. Four minutes at 175℃ (350℉) should do it.
Other Air Fryer Veg Recipes You Might Like
Keep in Touch
Thank you for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you make these air fryer Brussels sprouts, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Do you have any recommendations or advice for air frying veg?
Please rate the recipe. If you post pictures of your creations on social media, use the hashtag #tinandthyme so I can see them.
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If you’d like more Brussels sprouts recipes, follow the link and you’ll find I have quite a lot of them. All delicious and nutritious, of course.
Choclette x
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts. PIN IT.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts: Quick And Easy
Equipment
Ingredients
- 250 g Brussels sprouts
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ⅛ tsp fine sea salt
- ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Trim the stalks and any yellowing or damaged leaves from the sprouts if needed.250 g Brussels sprouts
- Give them a quick rinse in a bowl of clean water, then leave them to drain. Alternatively pat them dry with a clean tea towel.
- Cut each sprout in half from top to bottom with a sharp knife. It’s good to have them all more or less the same size, so you may need to cut larger sprouts into thirds or quarters. Remove any leaves that fall off. Loose leaves will just burn in the air fryer.
- Place the sprout halves in a mixing bowl. Add the oil and seasoning then give everything a really good stir to ensure the sprouts are evenly coated.1 tsp olive oil, ⅛ tsp fine sea salt, ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Preheat your air fryer if necessary. Transfer the sprouts from the bowl to the air fryer drawer and arrange into a single layer if you can.
- Set the air fryer to 190℃ (375℉) and cook for four minutes. Give the basket a good shake and cook for a further four minutes. Give the basket another shake and cook for a further two to six minutes. How long it actually takes depends on your air-fryer, how crowded the basket is and how big your sprouts are. They should look caramelised all over, but the best way to test for doneness is to try one. If they need longer give them another blast. I “fry” mine for twelve minutes in total.
- Serve immediately whilst hot and crisp.
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