Twist and Sprout for Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts!
For Brussels sprouts that are perfectly crispy on the outside yet light on oil and on effort, turn to your trusty air fryer and read this guide!
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts; photograph by Meleyna Nomura
The first time I hosted my husband’s family for Thanksgiving, I had an elaborate plan to make all the dishes I grew up with alongside all of his family’s favorites. I will never forget his answer when I asked him what his favorite side dish was. Frozen Brussels sprouts, boiled in chicken stock until very soft, served swimming in melted butter. I admit, I do understand the nostalgic appeal of boiled-and-buttered vegetables — I think a lot of us have a soft spot for the mushy vegetables we grew up eating. There is certainly nothing that hits the spot quite like nostalgia. But in the 15 years since that first holiday meal, I have fully converted him to the joys of roasted Brussels sprouts.
Shatteringly crisp outer leaves, tender middles, their appeal is clear. The only downside is it can take a heavy hand with the oil and a long stint in a super-hot oven to get the crispiest results. Air fryer Brussels sprouts, however, require a fraction of both the oil and time. Even better is that I don’t have to heat up the house by turning on the oven. And no compromising on texture or flavor. In fact, with the hot air blowing around all sides of the sprouts, I’d venture to say that they’re better than traditional oven roasted Brussels sprouts.
Air-fried Brussels sprouts are also extremely versatile. They’re great on busy weeknights, when I need a quick vegetable side to pair with a grocery store rotisserie chicken. They are an excellent work from home lunch. I love to top them with a couple of runny fried eggs. And yes, they are great for a holiday meal, especially if you’ve got the oven going for different dishes. The high oven temperature that crispy Brussels sprouts require doesn’t always do as well for other holiday side dishes. Breaking out the air fryer is a simple solution to this problem.
Jump ahead to:
How do I prep Brussels sprouts for the air fryer? >>
Do I need to cut Brussels sprouts in half for the air fryer? >>
How long do I cook Brussels sprouts in the air fryer? >>
What air fryer temperature is best to cook Brussels sprouts? >>
Can I cook frozen Brussels sprouts in the air fryer? >>
How to make Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts >>
12 tasty air fryer Brussels sprouts recipes >>
How do I prep Brussels sprouts to cook in the air fryer?
Remove and discard any exterior leaves that have shriveled or browned.
Trim the very root end of the Brussels sprout with a paring knife. Take care not to cut too far into the sprout to keep it as intact as possible.
Cut in half through the stem end.
Toss with oil and seasonings as called for in the recipe.
Do I need to cut Brussels sprouts in half for the air fryer?
Photograph by Meleyna Nomura
Here's when you should cut Brussels sprouts in half:
Cutting Brussels sprouts in half before air frying helps them cook more evenly. It also reduces the cooking time by quite a bit. Halving the sprouts also exposes the edges of the leaves, providing more surface area to crisp up as well as nooks and crannies to hold in the seasoning.
Here's when you shouldn't cut Brussels sprouts in half:
If some of the sprouts in the bunch are significantly smaller, they can be left whole. All of the Brussels sprouts should be roughly the same size so that they cook at the same rate. Otherwise, the larger sprouts will be raw inside while the smaller ones might burn.
If cooking frozen, whole Brussels sprouts, no need to cut them first. You don’t want to hurt yourself attempting to cut through a frozen solid ball!
How long do I cook Brussels sprouts in the air fryer?
The total cooking time will depend on the size of your sprouts, the temperature you cook them at, and your specific air fryer. But you can typically count on cooking for a total time of 15-25 minutes. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to split the recipe into two batches. This doubles the cooking time, but produces crispier and more evenly cooked results.
What air fryer temperature is best to cook Brussels sprouts?
Every air fryer is different, but aim for a temperature around 375°F. This temperature allows the sprouts to cook through before the outsides brown too deeply and turn black. Caramelization is delicious, but burnt is not ideal! If your air fryer does not have a 375°F setting, you can cook them at around 360°F for the first half of cooking. Pause to flip or shake the sprouts, and then finish around 390°F for the second half of cooking.
These temperatures are lower than you would typically use to roast Brussels sprouts in the oven. That is because air fryers use convection heat. This means a fan inside the unit blows the hot air around the food, heating it from all sides. This allows food to cook more quickly than roasting in a traditional oven.
Can I cook frozen Brussels sprouts in the air fryer?
Yes, frozen Brussels sprouts can be cooked in the air fryer. Do not thaw first. Cook straight from frozen, adding an additional five minutes to the cooking time, or longer as needed to cook through and brown. Frozen Brussels sprouts will be softer than fresh Brussels sprouts, but still very tasty. They’re also super convenient. Keep a bag of Brussels sprouts on hand in the freezer, and you’ve got easy access to a tasty side dish.
How to make Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Step-by-step instructions for Yummly's own Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts recipe
Photograph by Meleyna Nomura
Preheat air fryer.
Add oil and seasonings to a medium-sized bowl.
Remove and discard any shriveled or browned outer leaves from the Brussels sprouts. Trim the stalk end of each sprout. Cut each sprout in half through the root end.
Add the halved sprouts to the bowl with the oil. Toss to coat.
Add the seasoned Brussels sprouts to the air fryer. Cook 5-6 minutes.
Flip the Brussels sprouts, or simply shake the air fryer basket.
Continue cooking until Brussels sprouts are browned, and tender enough to be pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 5-6 minutes more.
While the sprouts cook, assemble the glaze.
When the Brussels sprouts are done cooking, transfer to a serving dish. Drizzle with the glaze and serve.
Drizzling glaze on Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts; photograph by Meleyna Nomura
12 tasty air fryer Brussels sprouts recipes
Air-fried Brussels sprouts are the perfect starting point to adding tons of flavor. From savory bacon to sweet pomegranates to tangy Buffalo sauce, here are a dozen air fryer recipes to get you started.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
These sprouts are drizzled with a sweet and sour sauce after cooking. Simply stir up apple cider vinegar, honey, and a spoonful of mustard for a tangy complement to the air-fried Brussels sprouts.
Crispy Parmesan Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Crispy and cheesy, these air fried Brussels sprouts are so satisfying. Tons of flavor and texture from both nutty, savory, grated Parmesan cheese and crispy Panko bread crumbs make a perfect side dish.
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic
This recipe is absolutely bursting with flavor. Air-fried Brussels sprouts, creamy feta, sweet pomegranates, and tangy balsamic vinegar come together for a real show-stopper of a dish. This would be especially beautiful on a holiday table.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey Soy Glaze
Deeply savory from tamari and fish sauce, sweet with honey, bright from chile and lime. Try this easy side dish on a weeknight to accompany any simply cooked protein. They’ll add a ton of color and flavor to your plate.
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Cranberry Glaze
Brussels sprouts and cranberries are classic fall ingredients. It only makes sense to combine the two! Balsamic vinegar and a touch of sugar bring out the tangy-sweet profile of the cranberries. This would be great on a Thanksgiving table, or the perfect way to use up leftover cranberry sauce in the post-holiday days when you’re in need of an easy dinner dish.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
This recipe first par-cooks the bacon in the air fryer. It’s then chopped up and cooked again, this time with the Brussels sprouts. The veggies pick up all the tasty flavor from the bacon, while everything cooks together to get crispy and delicious.
Air Fryer Smashed Brussels Sprouts
The two-step cooking method used here produces a really unique result. First, par-cook the sprouts in the microwave. Smash them flat with the bottom of a glass. Season, then cook them again in the air fryer in a single layer until super-crispy.
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Lemon Garlic Aioli
Serving air-fried Brussels sprouts with a dip is a great way to switch up the standard crudités platter. This simple gussied-up mayo is the perfect creamy complement to the Brussels sprouts.
Air-Fryer Buffalo Brussels Sprouts
Game day or not, these air fryer Brussels sprouts will hit the spot. Crispy Brussels sprouts stand in for deep fried chicken wings. But the familiar combo of tangy hot sauce, creamy dressing, and pungent blue cheese is there. Super satisfying!
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Most air fryer Brussels Sprouts recipes call for only a little oil, but this recipe calls for melted butter for the best texture. Orange zest and a few spices really punch up the flavor.
Bang Bang Brussels Sprouts
These air fried Brussels sprouts are drizzled with a flavored mayo. Sriracha, sweet chili sauce, and sesame oil turn the otherwise mellow sauce into a fiery, flavor-packed topping for the sprouts.
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic
This recipe calls for quartering the sprouts for even more nooks and crannies to hold flavor. They’re tossed with a mixture of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and air-fried until crisp.
More air fryer and veggie inspiration
Read on for more tips and tricks to master the art of the air fryer, and other ways to roast veggies.