Best Damn Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air fryer Brussels Sprouts are a crispy, and gorgeously caramelized miniature cabbage dish and is the perfect crunchy low-carb side for any meal.

Air-frying Brussels sprouts create a beautiful, crispy exterior while maintaining their tender interior. I love how these little green balls of goodness take minutes to make in the air fryer and can be customized with various spice blends. With this recipe, you'll have a fabulous and good-looking side dish full of flavor and nutrition in no time.

More of my favorite Air Fryer crunchy veggies are Air Fryer fried Cabbage, Cauliflower Steaks, and Air Fryer Crispy Broccoli, which texture reminds me of popping candy.

One of the perks of Air frying Brussel Sprouts is that they retain more of their vitamins, fiber, and minerals than traditional boiling or steaming methods.

What do Air-fried Brussels Sprouts taste like?

When you cook Brussels Sprouts in an air fryer, these little green guys transform into crispy and crunchy bites of heaven. They taste like mini cabbage chips, with a slightly nutty flavor and a touch of bitterness. 

And here's the best part: they're not soggy. Trust me, once you try air fryer Brussels sprouts, you'll never go back to boring old boiled sprouts again. With an air fryer, you get all the health benefits of this super veggie without sacrificing taste or texture.

How to cook Brussels Sprouts in the Air Fryer

You only need 10 minutes and three ingredients– Brussels sprout, oil, and salt + seasoning of your choice, to make these crispy, crunchy green balls of goodness.

Please refer to the exact measurements, directions, and nutrition information on the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Rinse and dry. First, wash the Brussels sprouts and remove any yellowed outer leaves. Rinse them in cold water and pat dry them with a paper towel. Remove any excess water as moisture may affect their crispy texture. Cut the Brussels sprouts in half and place them in a bowl.

Season. While Brussels sprouts may not be everyone's favorite vegetable, seasoning them right can make a big difference. You can season them with a variety of spices, including garlic powder, salt, paprika, and black pepper. I also love to sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bacon bits for added flavor.

Stir to ensure that the spices are distributed evenly. Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.

Cook in batches. Air fryers are designed to cook food evenly and quickly, but the hot air may not circulate well if you put too many Brussels sprouts in the fryer basket at once. To ensure that your Brussels sprouts cook evenly, cook them in batches. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking occasionally, until the Brussels sprouts are crispy and golden brown.

Toss them midway. It is also important to toss the Brussels sprouts around the halfway point of cooking. This helps them cook evenly and prevents them from sticking to the bottom of the fryer basket.

Seasoning Variations

You can experiment with different spices or herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, or smoked paprika, for different flavor profiles. Add some parmesan cheese or balsamic vinegar to elevate the taste. I love to use Homemade Balsamic Glaze (reduction).

Add ½ a tablespoon of lemon zest or drizzle freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Toss perfectly crisp, golden-brown sprouts with savory, salty bacon pieces. Or better yet, make Bacon wrapped Brussels Sprouts.

For sweetened air fryer Brussels sprouts, use coconut oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, Chinese Five Spice, or any other spice you like, such as nutmeg, or cardamom. Or drizzle the sprouts with the honey glaze or any other sweet and sticky glaze of choice.

What to serve with Crispy Brussels Sprouts

These roasted Brussels Sprouts are amazing on their own with a side of Creamy Chipotle dip. They can also be served with any meal. These are some suggestions that taste great with fried sprouts.

• You can serve sprouts with spicy sausage for a bit of heat or Air fryer Sausage and Potatoes, for a complete meal. 
• Air-fried sprouts taste yummy with Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce.
• Brussels sprouts are amazing when served with meat dishes such as Air Fryer Steak, or Bacon-wrapped Chicken Bites. 
• Brussels Sprout goes well with the Air Fryer Turkey Breast and become a staple for Thanksgiving dinner.

Leftovers

Place the leftover Brussels Sprouts in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. They will remain fresh for up to 5 days. When you're ready to reheat them, the air fryer is your best friend. Just be sure to spray lightly with oil spray and re-crisp in the air fryer for 2-4 minutes at 350F.

Can I air-fry Brussels Sprouts from frozen?

Yes! The air fryer uses a high-powered fan to circulate hot air around the sprouts, ensuring they cook evenly and quickly. Cooking Brussels Sprouts from frozen saves time, and also ensures your Brussels sprouts come out crispy and delicious, even from their frozen state. No thawing is needed. Here's a how-to-cook frozen Brussels sprouts video.