Brussel Sprouts are one of the easiest, healthiest, and inexpensive sides you can serve to your guests any time of the day. Well-cooked Brussel Sprouts have crunchy brown edges and brittle leaves with a delectable soft inside. And guess what? This crispy addiction is easily prepared in less than 15 minutes in an air fryer.
To cook Brussel Sprouts in an air fryer, first clean and trim them into ½ or ¼ pieces. Next, toss the sprouts in a dressing of balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 175℃). Spread the sprouts on the basket and cook them in the air fryer for 10 to 12 minutes.
Being rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Calcium, Iron, Protein, and various other nutrients, it is important to properly cook Brussel Sprouts to retain their maximum health benefits. Thanks to the exceptional performance and hot circulating air, Brussel Sprouts always turn out to be crunchier, sweeter, and more flavorful in an air fryer compared to all other traditional methods.
How To Cook Brussel Sprouts In An Air Fryer
The healthiest version of crispy and tasty Brussel Sprouts requires minimum ingredients and can be quickly cooked in an air fryer. Well-cooked Brussel Sprouts have a crisp and brown-colored texture. The air fryer cooks the sprouts by blowing hot air down and around the equipment. The optimum heat and cooking parameters turn the sprouts crispier on the outside and thoroughly cooked on the inside.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook Brussel Sprouts in an air fryer:
Step 1: Trim the tough stem or bottom core of the Brussel Sprouts and peel-off any limp or old-looking outer layer. Depending on what size of bites you prefer, cut the Brussel Sprouts into halves or quarters.
Step 2: Put the Brussel Sprouts in a large bowl and drizzle 2 tbsp. of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1tbsp.of Balsamic Vinegar, Kosher Salt & freshly ground Black Pepper to taste.
Step 3: Toss it well so that each piece receives an even coating.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 175℃). Some models may take as little as 3 minutes to preheat.
Step 5: Spread the sprouts evenly on the air fryer basket and shake it.
Step 6: Insert the basket into the air fryer and cook the sprouts for 2 X 7 minutes. Do not forget to toss/ shake the basket halfway through.
How Long To Cook Brussel Sprouts In An Air Fryer
Slight variations in time and temperature can alter the taste and texture of the cookout. When you cook Brussel Sprouts in an air fryer, always toss the basket midway through the cycle to ensure that all the sides are evenly cooked.
| Temperature | Total Time | Results |
| 390 degrees Fahrenheit (or 200℃) | 15 minutes | Slightly burned edges with a soft core. |
| 375 degrees Fahrenheit (or 190.5℃) | 12-14 minutes | Crisp/brown outside and soft core. |
| 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 175℃) | 10 to 12 minutes | Perfectly crisp on the outside and tender inside. |
How Long To Cook Frozen Brussel Sprouts In An Air Fryer
Being a great (and healthy) pantry special, it is important to learn how to cook frozen Brussel Sprouts in an air fryer. If frozen Brussel Sprouts are not cooked with the right technique, they usually turn out to be mushy. They can also take some extra cooking time compared to fresh Brussel Sprouts.
To cook frozen Brussel Sprouts, preheat the oven to 390 degrees Fahrenheit (or 200℃). Thaw the sprouts for about ½ an hour at room temperature or under cold running water. Empty the sprouts into the basket and let it cook for 9 minutes. Once half done, add some olive oil, salt, and pepper. Shake the basket so that the salt gets evenly distributed. Place the basket back into the air fryer and cook for another 5-6 minutes. The total cooking time is ~13 to 16 minutes.
Some Tips To Cook Brussel Sprouts In An Air Fryer
To ensure Brussel Sprouts in an air fryer always come out crispy and tasty, here are some professional tips to follow:
- Try to select similar-sized Brussel Sprouts so that each piece is cooked evenly.
- If you like the Brussel Sprouts to be tender, then you are recommended to first par-boil and then cook them in the air fryer.
- Small to Medium-sized Brussel Sprouts should be cut in halves, while Large-sized Brussel Sprouts should be cut in one-thirds.
- It is best to cook the Brussel Sprouts in small batches.
- If you have a small air fryer basket and the sprouts look crowded, you can always cook them in batches of two or three.
- Always leave plenty of space between each piece.
- If you want extra-charred outsides, make sure to check the sprouts when halfway done and ensure that the core is tender and nicely cooked.
- To add some extra crunchiness, you can place the sprouts in ice water for several minutes, drain excess water, and then add the dressing.
- Always serve the Brussel Sprouts hot!
How To Store & Reheat Brussel Sprouts
To reheat, place the leftover Brussel Sprouts in the air fryer basket and simply rewarm it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-4 minutes.
Brussel Sprouts can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator and 4 months in a freezer.
Different Recipes For Brussel Sprouts In An Air Fryer
If you don’t like your sprouts to be basic, you can try out any of these three recipes:
Herby Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients Required: 1 ½ pound of trimmed Brussel Sprouts, ¼th cup Balsamic Vinegar, 1 large sliced onion, 2 cloves of garlic minced, 2 tbsp. butter, kosher salt, oregano, chili flakes, & crushed black ground pepper to taste.
Method: Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and toss it for an even coating. Preheat the oven. Spread the Brussel Sprouts in the air fryer basket and cook it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 175℃) for 10-12 minutes.
Brussel Sprouts With Bacon
Ingredients: 2 pounds Brussel Sprouts trimmed and halved, a few thin slices of bacon, ⅔ cups of reduced balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
Method: Mix the Brussel Sprouts and the bacon with balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Drizzle some olive oil and place the mix in the air fryer basket. Preheat the oven. Cook the sprouts and the bacon mix at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (or 190.5℃) for about 12 to 15 minutes. Shake the basket after every 5 minutes. You may increase the temperature by +10 degrees for a nice brown coating.
Saucy Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients: 2 pounds of Brussel Sprouts cut in halves, kosher salt, black pepper, extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, corn starch, 2 tbsp soy sauce, two cloves of minced garlic, 2 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp hoisin sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt to taste.
Method: Take a small skillet and toss sesame oil and garlic for a minute. Add some cornstarch, water, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic, chili, brown sugar, & salt. Stir until the sauce thickens. This should take about 3 minutes.
Next, in a large bowl, toss Brussel Sprouts, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the sprouts in the air fryer for ~7 minutes. Add the sauce to combine and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Garnish with roasted peanuts, green onions, and sesame seeds.
Final Thoughts
Brussel sprouts are undoubtedly the best veggie to cook in an air fryer. They require very little effort to prepare but are enjoyed by everyone! You can also try this satisfying recipe with other ingredients like parmesan cheese, feta, honey, and many others.
Scot has loved smoking food in his free time for the last few years. Each major holiday or off-weekend, Scot spends days testing and prepping new recipes for perfection.