Best Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts (Fresh or Frozen)
Best Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts Recipe – Whether cooking fresh or frozen, it’s easy to air fry crisp and tender brussels sprouts in less than 20 minutes. Serve the sprouts with glaze or dipping sauce for a delicious appetizer or snack!
Why We Love This Easy Air Fried Brussel Sprouts Recipe
Brussels sprouts have become quite popular over the last couple of decades, have you noticed? These tiny cabbage-like orbs used to be avoided like the plague. But at some point, over time people discovered they make a fabulous vegetable base for all sorts of flavors and toppings.
We have certain methods we love for making Brussels Sprouts… Braising them with bacon and beer, or “oven frying” them on a baking sheet with lots of oil to make them extra crispy.
However, if you’re looking for a quick and healthy method for making Brussel Sprouts, that pairs well with any sauce or topping, air frying Brussel sprouts is the perfect technique.
Air frying Brussel sprouts allows you to use very little oil, yet the leaves of the Brussels turn crispy on the outside, just like deep-fried Brussels. Today we’re providing a simple air fryer Brussels sprouts recipe using fresh or frozen brussel sprouts, plus suggestions on seasoning your sprouts.
Brussel Sprouts or Brussels Sprouts?
But first, let’s get something out of the way… Is it Brussel Sprouts or Brussels Sprouts? We’ve titled our recipe “Brussel Sprouts“ because that is how most people commonly search for recipes. However, these little jewels are named after the city of Brussels in Belgium.
Therefore, the proper term is Brussels Sprouts. One single sprout is technically a Brussels Sprout.
OK, moving on…
5 Ingredients You Need
- Brussels sprouts – fresh or frozen
- Olive oil – or other high-heat spray oil, like canola or avocado
- Garlic powder – our favorite for classic sprouts, but feel free to season as you like
- Salt and pepper – a bit of each to taste
Optional Sprouts Seasonings
Toss the veggies in your choice of spices and seasoning blends! Here are a few ideas to get you going:
- Italian seasoning
- Adobo seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
- Chili powder and cumin
- Chinese 5 spice
- Cayenne pepper
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Meanwhile, rinse and dry the Brussels sprouts. Trim the root ends and pull off any gnarly outer leaves. Then cut any large Brussels sprouts in half.
Pro Tip: You can cut all the Brussels sprouts in half or leave the smallest ones whole.
Place the brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket. Drizzle the olive oil over the top. Then toss to coat. Sprinkle the top generously with garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Toss again and spread the brussels sprouts out into an even layer.
Get the Complete (Printable) Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe + Video Below. Enjoy!
How to Make Air-Fried Fresh Brussel Sprouts
Air fry for 5 minutes. Then shake the air fryer basket vigorously and air fry for an additional 2-4 minutes, until crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.
How to Air Fry Brussel Sprouts from Frozen
Air fry for 10 minutes. Then shake the basket vigorously, and spread the brussels sprouts back out into an even layer.
Continue to air fry for another 6-9 minutes, until warm on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Optional Toppings for Brussel Sprouts
Any sort of sweet and sticky drizzle enhances the earthy flavor of the air-fried brussels sprouts. Consider using balsamic glaze or thick balsamic vinegar, red wine reduction, eel sauce, honey, or sorghum over the Brussel sprouts.
You can leave them sweet, or add additional savory ingredients over the drizzle! Considered goodies such as crumbled feta or blue cheese, crispy chopped bacon, parmesan cheese, chopped nuts (especially smoked nuts), or seeds like pepitas.
Another great addition to a sticky glaze is spice! Try mixing red chili flakes, cayenne pepper, or cumin into your glaze for a spicy kick.
Depending on the toppings you decide to add, these little beauties are fabulous low carb, keto, vegan, and gluten-free dish!
Serving Suggestions
These crispy brussels sprouts are perfect for a dinner appetizer or side dish, or as a healthier evening snack.
Season the brussels to your tastes and pair with meaty mains like Steak Diane (Cheesecake Factory copycat), delicious Porterhouse Steaks with compound butter, or Steak au Poivre (with Cognac cream).
They also are great with deliciously simple chicken dishes, such as Seasoned Chicken or Crispy Baked Chicken Cutlets. We love to enjoy them with tender and moist Honey Garlic Pork Chops, Apple Baked Stuffed Pork Chops, and Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin.
And, oh, the dipping sauces! Serve ramekins of your favorite sauces on the side, like:
Frequently Asked Questions
Leftover Brussels sprouts will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. However, they taste best when cooked and eaten fresh.
Leftovers can be rewarmed in the air fryer. 400°F for about 3 minutes oughta do it.
Did you shake the basket while cooking? If not, that could be the reason for a bit-too-extra crispy sprouts. This can also happen if they stay in the fryer a bit too long. So be sure to check on them on the low end of cooking times.
Often this happens because either A) too much oil was used and/or B) the basket was overcrowded. The sprouts should lay in an even layer at the bottom, without overlapping. Too many sprouts in the basket causes them to steam, not fry.
Looking for More Easy Air Fryer Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Easy Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- The Best Air Fryer Tater Tots
- Air Fryer Okra Fries
Best Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts (Fresh or Frozen)
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh brussels sprouts or frozen
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Meanwhile, rinse and dry the brussels sprouts. Trim the root ends. Then cut any large brussels sprouts and a half. *You can cut all the brussels sprouts in half or leave the smallest ones whole.
- Place the brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket. Drizzle the olive oil over the top. Then toss to coat. Sprinkle the top with garlic powder, and salt and pepper generously. Toss again and spread the brussels sprouts out into an even layer.
- Air Fried Fresh Brussel Sprouts: Air fry for 5 minutes. Then shake the air fryer basket vigorously and air fry for an additional 2-4 minutes until crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.
- Air Fried Frozen Brussel Sprouts: Air fry for 10 minutes. Then shake the basket vigorously, and spread the brussels sprouts back out into an even layer. Continue to air fry for another 6-9 minutes, until warm on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Tried making this recipe —fresh or frozen, super easy. Crispy and tender in under 20 minutes. Perfect with a glaze or dipping sauce for a yummy appetizer or snack!
Brussel sprouts are one of my favorite side dishes & appetizers! I love all the different ways you can prepare them & this recipe is simple, but so tasty!!
I was skeptical that air frying would work on frozen brussels sprouts but they turned out amazing! So easy to make, so crispy, and everybody loved them!