Perfectly crispy Brussels sprouts cooked in just 10 minutes in the air fryer. A quick and easy side dish that is delicious on a roast dinner. Even the biggest Brussels sprouts critics will LOVE these Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts.
Crispy Brussels sprouts sprinkled with Parmesan are delicious as a side dish for a roast dinner, or even just to snack on. A great way to save space in the oven or on the hob, as these are air fryer Brussel sprouts. Cooking them in the air fryer gets them perfectly crispy, with minimal oil and all in 10 minutes.
If you are looking for other ways to cook Brussels sprouts, then why not try our Brussels Sprouts Gratin, Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts, Microwave Brussles Sprouts or Roasted Brussels Sprouts? Or our Christmas Salad is also a delicious way to use raw Brussels sprouts.
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Why you will love them
- Low in calories - There are just 122 calories per portion and they are so crispy that you would think they were fried.
- A new way to enjoy sprouts - Never have plain boiled sprouts again! If you think you don't like Brussels sprouts, then think again. This is the best Brussels sprouts recipe.
- The perfect side dish for a roast dinner - Sprouts are a must on every roast dinner in our opinion, especially at Christmas. Cooking Brussels sprouts in the air fryer saves you space in the oven and on the hob too.
- Lots of different flavours you can add - We went with Parmesan, you could add garlic and chilli flakes too.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Brussels sprouts - Make sure to choose fresh Brussels sprouts, as this will make all the difference to the finished dish. There are more tips on how to choose them below.
- Oil - We used olive oil and they help the make crispy Brussels sprouts.
- Salt and pepper - Generously season.
- Parmesan - This not only adds flavour, but helps to give some extra crispiness to air fryer Brussels sprouts. Parmesan Brussels sprouts in the air fryer is the way to go.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make air fryer Brussels sprouts - Step by step
One: Trim the stalks off of the sprouts and remove any loose leaves. Cut the sprouts in half.
Two: Put the sprouts into a bowl and add the oil, salt and pepper. Carefully mix to coat the sprouts.
Three: Put the coated sprouts into the air fryer basket.
Four: Cook at 180°C for 10-12 minutes. Shaking halfway through cooking.
Five: Serve topped with grated Parmesan (optional).
How to choose Brussels sprouts
They key to delicious tasting Brussels sprouts is choosing the best ones. So, here are some of our top tips for choosing them at the supermarket.
You want to look for bright green heads that are firm to touch and heavy for their size. The leaves should be tightly packed too. Avoid Brussels sprouts that have yellowing leaves (this is a sign of old sprouts) or black spots, which could indicate fungus. Smaller Brussels sprouts are usually sweeter and more tender than larger ones, so choose those if you don't like any bitterness.
Variations
The great thing about roasting sprouts, if you can make so many different flavours. We went with Parmesan as it makes them nice and crispy, and everything is better with cheese, right? But you can also add any flavour to them to suit your tastes.
- Balsamic - Mix in some balsamic vinegar at the same time as the olive oil. Once cooked, it gives the roasted Brussels sprouts a lovely caramelisation.
- Paprika and cayenne is nice if you want a smoky flavour.
- What some heat? Drizzle some sriracha just before serving.
- Whatever you favourite seasoning blend is, fajita, Cajun or Italian, they will all work in this recipe. Even our French Fry Seasoning would work.
- A little lemon juice squeezed over them when they are hot adds lots of freshness.
- Herbs - anything like dried oregano, basil or thyme would work well.
- Bacon - chop up some bacon and roast it at the same time as the Brussels sprouts.
- Pine nuts can be added before serving to add a nice crunch.
What to serve with air fryer Brussels sprouts
These are a must with any roast dinner. So, here are some of our favourite roast meats and side dishes for you to try:
- Easy Roast Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder
- Broccoli Cheese
- Slow Cooker Green Beans
- Cranberry Chicken
- Slow Cooker Roast Beef
- Turkey Pie
- Perfect Roast Chicken
- Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Frequently Asked Questions
Brussels sprouts are high in fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, making them a nutritious side dish this Christmas. They can also reduce the risk of cancer, decrease inflammation and improve blood sugar control.
Brussels sprouts are high in vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting and bone health. They are a good source of vitamin C, which helps to promote iron absorption and is involved in tissue repair and immune function.
They also contain small amounts of potassium, thiamine, vitamin B6, iron, phosphorus and magnesium.
The key is in how you cook them, and also what you top them with. Basically, if you don't want bitter Brussels sprouts then just don't boil them. Cook them in the slow cooker, sauté them, roast them or air fry them. Also, make sure that you get them really fresh - they should feel firm and be a vivid green.
They are part of the same family, but they are not the same thing. With cabbages, we eat the head that grows out of the ground. Brussels sprouts, however, are buds that grow along the length of a thick, fibrous stalk.
Yes, if you don't have any fresh or you just want to save yourself some time then you can use frozen. With frozen they are already trimmed and cleaned, so there is no prep at all. They are also really budget friendly and it means you can make this recipe out of season. Don't let them defrost first, you can put them in the air fryer from frozen and cook at 200°C for 10-12 minutes. They won't get quite as crispy though.
If you have any leftovers of these, then once they have come to room temperature they can be put into an air tight container and stored in the fridge for for 3 days. You can reheat them in the air fryer for 2 minutes. We wouldn't recommend freezing leftover air fryer Brussel sprouts.
We can't rate highly enough the Power Air Fryer XL. The 5 litre capacity is big enough for cooking for the whole family and it can fry, grill, bake, sauté, roast and steam. There are simple touch screen controls and it heats up quickly and can cook your food up to 70% faster than a conventional oven. Also, it's dishwasher safe.
If cooking at 180°C they will take 10-12 minutes. If you are cooking at 190°C they will cook at 8-10 minutes. If you like them really crispy, then you can cook them at 200°C for 7-8 minutes.
More air fryer recipes
If you’ve tried this air fryer Brussels sprouts recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 400 g (14 oz) Brussels sprouts
- 2 teaspoon Olive oil
- 2 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
- 3 tablespoon Parmesan - grated; optional
Instructions
- Trim the stalks off of the sprouts and remove any loose leaves. Cut the sprouts in half.
- Put the sprouts into a bowl and add the oil, salt and pepper. Carefully mix to coat the sprouts.
- Put the coated sprouts into the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 180°C for 10-12 minutes. Shaking halfway through cooking.
- Serve topped with grated Parmesan (optional).
Notes
- Add some extra flavour by cooking some fresh cranberries at the same time as the sprouts.
- If you want to make these Brussel sprouts in air fryer more indulgent, then why not add some chopped up bacon to the air fryer too?
- Add a touch of sweetness with drizzle them with some balsamic glaze before serving.
- A sprinkle of pine nuts before serving adds some nice texture.
- Make sure all the Brussels sprouts are a similar size so that they all cook at the same rate.
- If you have a lot of sprouts, or a small air fryer, then you will need to cook these in batches. You need space in the air fryer to get hot air to circulate and get them crispy.
Nutritional Information
Kristen
This turned out really well! Thank you for the recipe!
Toni
Such an easy and amazing side dish recipe! Everyone at my house loved this!
Amy
This is such an easy and quick way to cook Brussels sprouts! Loved how balsamic vinegar gave that nice caramelisation. Parmesan sprinkled at the end makes them just perfect!
Gina Abernathy
Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite veggies. I just got an air fryer for my daughter for her to learn how to cook. She made these and they were easy, tasty, and fast. She will make again soon.
Katherine
This is such a quick and tasty way to serve up sprouts!
Kathleen
Quick, simple, easy ingredients and a perfect side dish to go with any meal.
Kristen
These were wonderful! I will definitely make it again!
Toni
I love how quick and easy this side dish is! Perfect for busy days!
Tara
Ooooh, these Brussels sprouts look so good, especially with the addition of the Parmesan cheese. I love how easily they come together in the air fryer.
Claudia Lamascolo
These are all the best flavor combinations, especially adding the cheese and a great way to safe time in the air fryer!