Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

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Delicious and crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts make the perfect side dish or snack without the use of the oven. With just 4 ingredients, it’s quick and easy to make tasty Brussel sprouts in air fryer in just a few minutes.

Suitable for Gluten Free, Low Carb, Keto, Paleo, Vegan, and Whole30 diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

a bowl of crispy air fryer brussel sprouts

If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for quick and delicious side dishes that can steal the show. Let me introduce you to my new favorite thing! These super crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts are simple and delicious. I am 101% sure that they are going to be your new favorite thing too.

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Making Brussel sprouts air fryer style is incredibly easy. These bite-sized beauties come out of the air fryer with a satisfyingly crispy exterior while maintaining that tender, oh-so-yummy interior. They are so good you’ll forget that they’re also super healthy and nutritious.

Why Cook Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer

Friends, I’m talking about air fried Brussel sprouts that practically sing with flavor and texture – it’s like they’ve undergone a delightful transformation right before our eyes.

We looooove to air fry Brussels sprouts over here. They are perfect for weeknight dinners, but they also go beyond everyday meal prep. Crispy yet tender, they are going to be the stars of the show at your upcoming holiday feasts, perfect for Christmas Dinner or Thanksgiving.

Love easy air fryer recipes as much as I do? Then you’ll definitely want to try this Air Fryer Cauliflower and delicious Air Fryer Green Beans.

Yeap, with only 4 ingredients, minimal prep, and less than 12 minutes of cooking time, this air fryer recipe is so simple to make. I even included a video showing you just how easy to make it really is!

plate full of crispy air fryer brussel sprouts on a table

Why Make This Recipe

  • It’s Fail-proof – Mini cabbage Brussels sprouts get a bad rap.  Peeps, this isn’t your grandma’s recipe. You know, the kind that ends up overcooked and mushy with a weird taste. Thanks to the air fryer, they come out perfectly cooked every time.
  • Great for every occasion – I enjoy these as a snack and side dish, but they’re also such a great addition to your holiday and Thanksgiving spread. No fighting over precious oven space with the family like you’ve done in years past.
  • Super Crispy – Sure, you can make Brussels sprouts in the oven, but I promise you they will not crisp up as much as they do in the air fryer. The outside turns out nice and crunchy, and the inside stays perfectly tender. #somuchyum
  • Kid Friendly – A great way to get your family to (happily) eat their veggies, I often pair them with Air Fryer Beets and tasty Air Fryer Baby Potatoes.

Ingredient Notes

  • Brussels Sprouts – This recipe uses fresh vegetables, but you can easily make frozen Brussels sprouts air fryer instead.
  • Cooking Spray – Use a spritz of cooking spray or your favorite light, neutral oil, such as olive oil, to help crisp up your vegetables.
  • Seasonings – We are keeping it simple with salt and pepper, but you can add other seasonings like Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Ready to learn how to make crispy Brussels sprouts? Grab your ingredients, and I’ll show you how…….

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

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How To Make Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
  2. Place Brussels sprouts in a bowl and spray with calorie-controlled cooking spray or a small amount of oil. Add salt and black pepper and mix until well coated.
  3. Next, add them to the air fryer basket in and air fry for 8-12 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through cooking.
  4. Serve and enjoy!
collage of making air fryer brussel sprouts

Bintu’s Tips for Success

  • Preheat your Air Fryer before cooking for the best results.
  • Don’t core the Brussels sprouts. You will simply cut the stem end to be flat and remove any discolored leaves before cooking in the air fryer.
  • Look for sprouts that are similar in size. Larger sprouts can be halved or quartered if needed.
  • Try soaking the sprouts in water for 10 minutes prior to air frying so they get a perfectly crispy exterior and stay tender inside.
  • If you have a small air fryer or have lots of sprouts, then it is best to cook these in batches so enough hot air circulates and they crisp up.
  • Be sure to shake the air fryer basket sprouts halfway through cooking.
  • Fresh Brussels sprouts will give you the best results. Although you can use frozen for this recipe, I recommend using fresh.
  • Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model, so I recommend checking food for doneness and then adjusting the cook time as needed.
  • Check out some of my favorite things to use to make this recipe.
cooked Brussel Sprouts inside the air fryer basket

Delicious Variations

  • Vary the Spices – I’m a big fan of Brussels sprouts, so salt and pepper is all I need, but you can add any kind of spices you have in your pantry. Some options include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and more.
  • Add Some Heat – Add a little heat with cayenne, red pepper flakes, or chipotle pepper.
  • Dress it Up for the Holidays – If you’re making this dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas, garnish with chopped nuts, pomegranate seeds, or dried cranberries for that festive holiday taste and color!
  • Add Bread Crumbs – Add in breadcrumbs halfway through cooking for some extra crunch. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or keto breadcrumbs if you prefer.
  • Make It with bacon – Oh yes, you can make this recipe with bacon. All that’s needed is to simply add bacon strips in with the Brussels sprouts at the start and you are good to go. Because bacon really does make everything better.
  • Add Parmesan – Follow the recipe as directed, remove from the air fryer, and sprinkle on some grated Parmesan cheese (and herbs) to your taste.
  • Top Them Off – Drizzle on some balsamic vinegar and maple syrup before serving. Delectable!
  • Make Frozen Brussel Sprouts Air Fryer – Simply toss frozen brussel sprouts with oil and seasoning (no need to thaw.) You may need to add a minute or two to the cooking time. Frozen sprouts will not be as crispy, but they will be tasty. Head over to my frozen Brussels sprouts in air fryer post for the complete instructions and more info.

Prep And Storage

  • Prep Ahead – Trim the Brussels sprouts and cut them in half or into quarters for larger sprouts.
  • Store – Leftovers should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Use them within 3 days.
  • Freeze – I don’t recommend freezing this recipe as the sprouts will be mushy when reheated.
  • Reheat – You can reheat leftovers in an air fryer at 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C or in an oven. 
plate of air fryer brussel sprouts with pomegranate seeds

FAQs

How to Prepare Brussels Sprouts for the Air Fryer?

The best way to prepare Brussels sprouts for the air fryer is to grab a fresh stalk of Brussels sprouts when you’re at the market. The freshest sprouts will give you the best crisp and the best flavor.
Don’t be intimidated by the stalk! You won’t need a knife to remove the Brussels sprouts, just push them downward, and they should pop off. Remove any loose or discolored leaves.
If buying on the stalk isn’t an option, you can find them in a bag which will work great for making Brussels sprouts in the air fryer. Cut sprouts in half lengthwise, but if they are really large, then you will want to cut each one into quarters.brussels sprouts in a bowl

Are Brussels Sprouts Nutritious?

Yes, Brussels sprouts are nutritious. They are low in calories but high in protein. And just one serving of Brussels sprouts can give you your daily dose of Vitamin C and Vitamin K.
In addition, Brussels sprouts are also rich in phytochemicals which studies have shown many help protect against cancer.

Is the Air Fryer Better than the Oven?

Folks, I think the air fryer is better than the oven because you can add Brussels sprouts in the air fryer to the guilt-free eating list. Seriously.
My rule of thumb is don’t use more than 2 tablespoons of oil in your air fryer when “frying”. Even better, use just a light spray with the program-approved cooking spray of your choice.
The air fryer uses a powerful fan to move air throughout while it cooks your food. The air fryer is quicker than the convection oven and will crisp your food faster and better than the oven.

How Long To Cook Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts?

How long to cook air fryer Brussels sprouts depends on the size of the sprouts. Bigger-sized pieces will need to cook longer than smaller-sized ones.
I suggest air frying for 8 minutes, then checking. Continue adding on another few minutes at a time until they reach your desired level of doneness.

landscape image of cooked brussel sprouts on white plate

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Serving Suggestions

Weight Watchers Points

There are 0 Blue Plan SmartPoints per serving.

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Air Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe Video

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a bowl of crispy air fryer brussel sprouts
Print Recipe
5 from 10 votes

Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts are crispy on the outside and fork tender on the inside!
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time12 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American, Vegan, Western
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
Servings: 4
Calories: 48kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (450g) Brussels sprouts stems and any loose leaves removed, sprouts cut into halves
  • Calorie-controlled cooking spray or any light, neutral oil
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
  • Place prepared Brussels sprouts into a bowl, spray with cooking spray, add salt and black pepper and mix until well coated.
  • Add Brussels sprouts to the air fryer basket and fry between 8-12 minutes, remove and shake the basket a couple of times during cooking for even crisping.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Video

Notes

  • Don’t core the Brussels sprouts. You will simply cut the stem end to be flat and remove any discolored leaves before cooking in the air fryer.
  • Look for sprouts that are similar in size. Larger sprouts can be halved or quartered if needed.
  • Preheat the air fryer for the best results.
  • If you have a small air fryer or have lots of sprouts, then it is best to cook these in batches so enough hot air circulates and they crisp up.
  • Shake the air fried brussel sprouts halfway through cooking.
  • Fresh Brussels sprouts will give you the best results. Although you can use frozen for this recipe, I recommend using fresh.
  • Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model, so it is important to always check your food for doneness and adjust the air frying time as needed.
  • Storage – keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.
  • There are 0 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Nutrition

Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 3g | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 441mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 855IU | Vitamin C: 96.4mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1.6mg

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5 from 10 votes

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Recipe Rating




11 Comments

  1. These air fryer Brussels sprouts look absolutely delicious and easy to makeโ€”thanks for the recipe!

  2. 5 stars
    Oh these look so good! I am planning to get an air fryer soon and will definitely make these.

  3. 5 stars
    I love this recipe, very simple, and I love all the variations! But first, I’m going to try the bacon one, can never have enough recipes with bacon. ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. 5 stars
    Who would have thought brussels sprouts could be this good in the air fryer?! Great recipe!

  5. 5 stars
    What a wonderful side dish idea for dinner! Love that this is made so easily in the air fryer! Can’t wait to give it a try!

  6. 5 stars
    Yummmmm! I LOVE Brussel Sprouts, although I have never known how to properly spell them ie Brussels Sprouts or Brussel Sprouts. I like that you have done these in the air fryer – great recipe!