CrispenCrispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Crispy, caramelized edges and tender centers with just one tablespoon of oil.
Air fry halved brussels sprouts at 375°F for 15 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes, until deep golden with tender centers. A knife should slide easily into the biggest one. Dry them well after rinsing: wet sprouts steam instead of browning.
Brussels sprouts turn sweet and nutty when their edges brown, and the air fryer browns them fast. Halving them gives each sprout a flat face to caramelize, while the loose outer leaves crisp up like little chips. 375°F is hot enough to char the edges but gentle enough to cook the centers through. A drizzle of balsamic glaze at the end adds a sweet tang.
Crispy Brussels Sprouts: times for every size
| What | Temp | Time | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh sprouts, halved (1 lb) | 375°F | 15 min | shake every 5 min |
| Small whole sprouts | 375°F | 18-20 min | shake every 5 min |
| Halved, extra crispy and charred | 400°F | 12-14 min | watch the loose leaves |
| Frozen sprouts, no thawing | 400°F | 16-20 min | shake every 5 min, softer than fresh |
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Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Fresh · halved · 1 lb · Prep 12 min · Cook 18 min · Total 30 min
Ingredients
Steps
- 1
Rinse the sprouts and dry them well.
- 2
Trim the sprout stems and pull off loose leaves. Halve the sprouts, quartering any big ones.
- 3
Toss the sprouts with the oil, salt and pepper.
- 4
Preheat the air fryer.
3 min
- 5
Spread the sprouts in one layer without crowding. Cook in batches if needed.
- 6
Air fry the sprouts until deep golden with tender centers.
15 min at 375°F · Shake the sprouts at 5 min · Shake the sprouts again at 10 min
- 7
Check a knife slides easily into the biggest sprout. If firm, keep cooking.
- 8
Serve the sprouts with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, if using.
How to tell it's done
Deep golden, tender centers.
Nutrition per serving
Estimated per serving from USDA FoodData Central values for the ingredients.
Tips for the best results
- Dry the sprouts thoroughly after rinsing. Any water left on them turns to steam and softens the edges.
- Cut them to the same size. Halve medium sprouts and quarter big ones so everything finishes together.
- Keep the loose leaves. They turn into crunchy, salty chips, as long as they're coated in oil.
- Don't crowd the basket. The air needs to reach every cut side, so cook in batches if they won't fit in one layer.
- Add sauces at the end. Balsamic glaze, honey and soy sauce burn in the hot air, so toss them on after cooking.
Variations
Balsamic brussels sprouts
Drizzle with balsamic glaze right after cooking. For honey balsamic, stir 1 tsp honey into 1 tbsp balsamic glaze first.
Brussels sprouts with bacon
Add 2 slices of chopped raw bacon to the basket with the sprouts. The bacon crisps in the same 15 minutes and seasons the sprouts as it cooks.
Garlic parmesan brussels sprouts
Toss the sprouts with 1/2 tsp garlic powder before cooking. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated parmesan for the last 2 minutes so it melts and crisps.
Hot honey brussels sprouts
Toss the hot sprouts with 1 tbsp hot honey, or honey with a pinch of chili flakes, and a squeeze of lemon.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat at 375°F for 3-4 minutes, shaking once, until hot and crisp again. Skip the microwave, which makes them soft.
Questions
How long do you cook brussels sprouts in the air fryer?
15 minutes at 375°F for halved fresh sprouts, shaking every 5 minutes. Small whole sprouts need 18-20 minutes. At 400°F, halved sprouts take 12-14 minutes and char more.
Do you need to preheat the air fryer for brussels sprouts?
Yes, 3 minutes is enough. A hot basket starts browning the cut sides right away, so the edges get crispy before the centers turn mushy.
Why are my air fryer brussels sprouts soggy?
Usually the sprouts were wet, crowded, or both. Dry them well after rinsing, spread them in one layer with room for the air to move, and shake every 5 minutes. Use about 1 tablespoon of oil per pound so every cut side is coated.
Why do my brussels sprouts taste bitter?
Undercooked sprouts taste bitter. Deep golden browning brings out their natural sweetness, so cook until the cut sides are well colored and a knife slides into the center. Smaller, tightly closed sprouts are also milder than big ones.
Can you air fry frozen brussels sprouts?
Yes, straight from frozen. Toss them with oil and salt and air fry at 400°F for 16-20 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes. They come out softer inside than fresh sprouts, with less crunch outside.
Never guess an air fryer time again
- Save a recipe from any video or website in two taps, converted for your air fryer
- Lots of chef-curated air fryer recipes, from crispy wings to cookies
- Turn a craving into a full recipe with AI
- Remember every cook, so you nail it every time after
Join the waitlist and get the founder price at launch.
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