This vegetable side dish of garlicky Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts needs just five ingredients and 15 minutes in the air fryer to achieve golden, roasted perfection.
If you're looking for a crispy Brussels sprouts recipe for Thanksgiving or for any time you feel like eating this delicious veggie, your search ends here with these yummy Air Fryer Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
Brussels sprouts are amazing because they need so little time and effort to taste so good -- something you already know if you've tried these Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic and Rosemary or this 15-minute Shredded Brussels Sprouts Stir Fry.
The air fryer makes roasting Brussels sprouts even easier and quicker. You need about 15 minutes to take the sprouts to al dente, golden perfection.
And no, you don't need bacon to make them taste good (whoever came up with that idea, given that Brussels sprouts are so delicious by themselves?) All we will do is toss the sprouts with salt, pepper, garlic, fresh herbs and olive oil, and voila! Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts you will even love to snack on.
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe
- It's tasty. The air fryer makes roasting Brussels sprouts simpler and tastier. If you have an air fryer you know you can make easy air fryer recipes like this Crispy Air Fryer Tofu, Air Fryer Chickpeas, Air Fryer Zucchini, Air Fryer Cauliflower, Air Fryer French Fries and Air Fryer Potatoes in minutes. They taste just as good as anything you'd roast in the oven or deep-fry and they are so much healthier!
- It's healthy. There are so many benefits to eating Brussels sprouts and this recipe makes it easy to get everyone, even kids, to eat their vegetables.
- It's easy. Making this recipe requires no special cooking skills. Just halve or quarter the Brussels sprouts, toss them with the rest of the ingredients, and push a button on the air fryer.
- It's everyone friendly. Anyone on a special diet can also enjoy these air fried Brussels sprouts, including those who are vegan, vegetarian, paleo, keto or low carb, nut free, soy free and gluten free.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Brussels sprouts. Try and choose smaller sized sprouts, which will be the most tender. Pick dark green sprouts without brown spots and wilting outer leaves.
- Extra virgin olive oil. You can substitute any other vegetable oil, including avocado oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil or safflower oil.
- Fresh herbs. I like either rosemary or oregano with my Brussels sprouts. Use one or both for amazing flavor. You can also use thyme, sage or marjoram.
- Garlic powder. I prefer using garlic powder over fresh garlic in this recipe because the fresh garlic falls through the holes in the air fryer basket and burns. I'll show you a simple technique below to keep the garlic and herbs from burning in the air fryer.
- Salt and ground black pepper. You can use red pepper flakes instead of ground black pepper for spicy Brussels sprouts.
- Lemon juice. Optional, for drizzling on the cooked Brussels sprouts. This really pops the flavors and adds freshness.
Variations
- For a sweeter finish to the air fried Brussels sprouts, add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar to the bowl when you season them.
- Toss the Brussels sprouts with a table of chickpea flour or rice flour along with the other seasonings before air frying. This will help them become even crispier.
- For cheesy air fryer fried Brussels sprouts, toss a tablespoon or two of vegan parmesan cheese with the sprouts after air frying.
Tips for success
- Cut the sprouts so all pieces are of a similar size. When I buy Brussels sprouts at the market they come in all assorted sizes. Make sure you halve smaller sprouts and quarter larger ones so they cook together evenly and in the same time.
- Soak the garlic powder and herbs in the olive oil for a few minutes before adding it to the sprouts. This gives the herbs time to infuse with the oil and also ensures that the herbs won't burn and will adhere nicely to the sprouts during air frying.
- During air frying, toss the sprouts at regular intervals to ensure they roast evenly.
- You can adjust air frying time up or down to get the exact texture you want in the sprouts. For more al dente sprouts, air fry for less time. For sprouts that are very tender air fry longer.
- You don't need to have the brussels sprouts arranged in a single layer, but don't overcrowd the basket either. If cooking a larger batch of Brussels sprouts, air fry them in batches.
How to make air fryer Brussels sprouts
Soak herbs in oil: Add the chopped herbs, garlic powder and olive oil to a large bowl. Mix and let it stand for a few minutes. I do this before I start cutting the sprouts, which gives the herbs about five minutes to steep in the oil.
Chop Brussels sprouts: Chop the sprouts into evenly sized pieces. Halve if small and quarter if large. Place the chopped Brussels sprouts in the bowl with the oil and herbs.
Season the sprouts: Add salt, pepper and the olive oil with garlic and herbs. Toss so all the sprouts are evenly coated with the seasonings.
Air fry Brussels sprouts: Preheat the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit/190 degrees Celsius for 3 minutes. Add sprouts to the air fryer basket and air fry for 15 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket to toss the sprouts at 5-minute intervals. If you like the sprouts more tender, air fry for 2-3 minutes more. Sprinkle with lemon juice, if using, and serve.
Recipe FAQs
To air-fry frozen sprouts, place them (without thawing) in a preheated 375 degrees F/190 degrees C air fryer. Don't season yet. Air fry the sprouts for 10 minutes, tossing them halfway through. If you need to cut the sprouts, do so when they are cool enough to handle. Place the sprouts in a bowl, add the seasonings, and air fry for 10-15 minutes more, tossing the sprouts at regular intervals.
You can make the recipe up to two days ahead and refrigerate the air fried Brussels sprouts. Warm in the air fryer at 375 degrees for 3-5 minutes before serving.
This recipe makes the sprouts perfectly crispy on the outside. But if you like the sprouts even crispier, cut them in smaller pieces. You can also air fry them longer, but once they have browned keep a close eye on them so they don't burn.
Storage instructions
- Refrigerate: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Freeze. Freeze the air fried Brussels sprouts for up to three months in an airtight container.
- Reheat: Reheat the sprouts in the air fryer at 375 degrees for 3-5 minutes until warmed through and crispy again.
More yummy Brussels sprouts recipes
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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts (weighed after trimming stems and outer leaves).
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon fresh oregano (or rosemary. See notes for more herb options. Chop herbs finely)
- ½ to 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Soak herbs in oil: Add the chopped herbs, garlic powder and olive oil to a large bowl. Mix and let it stand for a few minutes. I do this before I start cutting the sprouts, which gives the herbs about five minutes to steep in the oil.
- Chop Brussels sprouts: Chop the sprouts into evenly sized pieces. Halve if small and quarter if large.
- Season the sprouts: Place the chopped Brussels sprouts in the bowl with the oil and herbs. Add salt, pepper and the olive oil with garlic and herbs. Toss so all the sprouts are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Air fry Brussels sprouts: Preheat the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit/190 degrees Celsius for three minutes. Add the seasoned sprouts to the air fryer basket and air fry for five minutes. Toss the sprouts and air fry for five more minutes. Toss again and air fry five more minutes. Altogether you will air-fry the Brussels sprouts for 15 minutes. This gives the perfect texture--crispy on the outside and al-dente tender on the inside. If you like the sprouts more tender, air fry for 2-3 minutes more. Drizzle with lemon juice, if using, and serve.
Recipe notes
- To air-fry frozen sprouts, place them (without thawing) in a preheated 375 degrees F/190 degrees C air fryer. Don't season yet. Air fry the sprouts for 10 minutes, tossing them halfway through. If you need to cut the sprouts, do so when they are cool enough to handle. Place the sprouts in a bowl, add the seasonings, and air fry for 10-15 minutes more, tossing the sprouts at regular intervals.
- You can make this recipe up to two days ahead and refrigerate the air fried Brussels sprouts. Warm in the air fryer at 375 degrees for 3-5 minutes before serving.
- This recipe makes the sprouts perfectly crispy on the outside. But if you like the sprouts even crispier, cut them in smaller pieces. You can also air fry them longer, but once they have browned keep a close eye on them so they don't burn. Storage instructions
- Refrigerate: The Brussels sprouts can be refrigerated for up to three days.
- Freeze. Freeze the air fried Brussels sprouts for up to three months in a freezer safe container.
- Reheat: Reheat the sprouts in the air fryer at 375 degrees for 3-5 minutes until warmed through and crispy again.
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