Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
on Sep 25, 2020, Updated Feb 13, 2025
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Super crispy on the outside, tender but not mushy on the inside, they are like roasted Brussels sprouts at their best. And they take just 15 minutes in the air fryer!
Yet another reason to love the air fryer: air-fried Brussels sprouts. Super crispy on the outside and tender but not mushy on the inside, they are similar to roasted Brussels sprouts at their best. And the ingredient list? Brussels sprouts, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Plus Parmesan and the optional addition of lemon zest — that’s it!
The advantages of using the air-fryer are speed (just 15 minutes!) and not having to preheat the oven. This amazing little kitchen appliance is perfect for green beans, baked potatoes, salmon, and even bacon! And during holiday dinners (or any time when oven real estate is in high demand), being able to get a dish cooked without the oven or stove, and in a hands-free way, is a big plus. That leaves you more room in your oven for roasting a turkey or browning the marshmallows on your sweet potato casserole.
Table of Contents
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts: Super crispy on the outside tender but not mushy on the inside, they are like roasted Brussels sprouts at their best. And only 15 minutes in the air fryer!
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Ingredients
The air fryer Brussels sprouts recipe relies on a few common ingredients.
- Brussels sprouts – Try to pick Brussels sprouts with a consistent size. If your Brussels sprouts are very small, you might leave them whole; otherwise, cut them in half.
- Olive oil – Helps the sprouts get beautifully brown and crispy on the edges as they cook.
- Salt and pepper – You may want to season with additional salt and pepper at the end as well.
- Parmesan – Sprinkle the Parmesan over the Brussels sprouts while they are still hot so that the cheese melts into them.
- Lemon zest – Another optional add-in that adds a nice spark to the dish.
How to Cook Brussels Sprouts in the Air Fryer
- Prepare the Brussels sprouts: Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts. Place them in a large bowl, add the olive oil, salt, and pepper, and toss to coat.
- Cook: Set the air fryer to 375 degrees. Transfer the sprouts to the air fryer in a single layer (you can crowd them a bit more than you see in the photos; they will still crisp up nicely). Cook, shaking or tossing halfway through, until well-browned and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, about 15 minutes.
- Add the cheese: Toss while the Brussels sprouts are warm.
Tips
- As soon as the Brussels sprouts are cooked, you will want to transfer them to a bowl, and while hot, sprinkle over the Parmesan and toss. The heat from the vegetables allows the cheese to melt a bit and coats the Brussels sprouts nicely.
- Try to keep the Brussels sprouts in a single layer, but they can be touching. This way, they will caramelize on the outside while cooking.
- Shake the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket or tray midway through baking to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Use finely grated Parmesan so it melts easily into the warm Brussels sprouts.
FAQs
Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the Brussels, and luckily, you can open the air fryer, test one of the Brussels, and keep going if you want them cooked further. I would say about 15 minutes at 375 degrees is perfect for medium-sized Brussels sprouts. Remember that they will continue to soften a bit after they come out of the air fryer, so stop the cooking just as you get to the level of tenderness that you like.
Your Brussels sprouts may not be crispy because of the temperature you’re cooking at, or because of the cooking method. In the oven, I roast Brussels sprouts at 400 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. This ensures the sprouts are tender on the inside and brown and crispy on the outside.
For an even crispier result, I like to cook them in an air fryer. The air circulation guarantees crispiness in even less time: I air fry them at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Make sure they are in a single layer, and shake them midway through the cooking time to ensure crispiness. The crispiest Brussels sprout possible is probably deep-fried, but this is way too much of a hassle to do at home, so the air fryer is your best bet.
Yes, you can cook Brussels sprouts in the air fryer! It is actually one of the best ways to cook them. When compared to oven roasting, air frying is quicker and results in crispier Brussels sprouts. Just season and coat the sprouts with oil, and spread them out in a single layer in your air fryer. Fifteen minutes later, you will have beautifully crispy and tender Brussels sprouts ready to go!
What to Serve With Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
More Brussels Sprouts Recipes
- Warm Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Mustard Vinaigrette
- Spicy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Kimchi Dressing
- Cheesy Baked Brussels Sprouts
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Creamy Brussels Sprouts Slaw
Also, see How to Cook Brussels Sprouts!
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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound small Brussels sprouts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts. Place them in a large bowl, add the olive oil, salt, and pepper, and toss to coat.
- Set the air fryer to 375 F. Transfer the sprouts to the air fryer in a single layer (you can crowd them a bit more than you see in the photos; they will still crisp up nicely) and cook, shaking or tossing halfway through until well-browned and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, about 15 minutes.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and toss with the Parmesan and lemon zest, if using.
Notes
- Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the Brussels, and luckily, you can open the air fryer, test one of the Brussels, and keep going if you want them cooked further. Remember that they will continue to soften a bit after they come out of the air fryer, so stop the cooking just as you get to the level of tenderness that you like.
- As soon as the Brussels sprouts are cooked, you will want to transfer them to a bowl, and while hot, sprinkle over the Parmesan and toss. The heat from the vegetables will allow the cheese to melt a bit and coat the Brussels sprouts nicely.
- Try to keep the Brussels sprouts in a single layer, but they can be touching. This way, they will caramelize on the outside while cooking.
- Shake the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket or tray midway through baking to ensure even cooking and browning.
