Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Meghan Splawn
Meghan Splawn
Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the…read more
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Patty Catalano
Patty CatalanoFood Editor at The Kitchn
At The Kitchn, I develop all of your favorite recipes and help you discover your most beloved grocery finds. I have more than 17 years of recipe development experience, including time spent in cookbook test kitchens and on Alton Brown’s culinary team. My two kids have lots of opinions on dinner.
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updated Aug 22, 2024
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Use the air fryer to serve impossibly crispy Brussels sprouts in a flash.

Serves4

Prep10 minutes

Cook15 minutes

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Jump to Recipe
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My secret to getting dinner on the table every weeknight is a new sous chef — the air fryer. When I put this countertop appliance to work, I’m free to attend to the main dish while it works, virtually unattended. All I have to do is wait for that delightful “ding,” telling me the food needs a flip or is ready to eat. Every air-fryer veggie I’ve tried has been sweeter, crunchier, and more flavorful than if I had roasted them — and Brussels sprouts are no exception. In fact, air fryer Brussels sprouts might be the perfect veggie side.

Here’s how to make crispy, restaurant-style Brussels sprouts in your air fryer.

Quick Overview

Tips for the Crispiest Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Decent Brussels sprouts can come out of a hot oven, but anyone who has eaten crispy Brussels sprouts at a restaurant knows that greater edible experience exists. Your favorite restaurant relies on the deep fryer for that texture, but if you have an air fryer, you can serve that same deep-fried texture at home. Here are 3 tips before you start:

  1. Halve Brussels sprouts larger than 1-inch. Speeds up cooking so the Brussels sprouts are tender inside quickly and maximizes surface area for crisping.
  2. Spread Brussels sprouts out. Arrange the Brussels sprouts in an even layer, and not in a pile so that the air can circulate and the veggies can crisp instead of steam.

Why You’ll Love It

  • They’re crispy and caramelized. Thanks to the super-hot circulating air of the air fryer, their insides become tender while the outsides crisp to perfection.
  • The buttery glaze takes it over the top. While it is entirely optional, finishing air fryer Brussels sprouts with shallot butter takes this simple weeknight side dish to another level.
Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk

Key Ingredients for Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

  • Brussels sprouts: You’ll need 1 pound of Brussels sprouts. Trim and halve any that are larger than 1-inch wide.
  • Olive oil: Toss the Brussels sprouts in a tablespoon of olive oil.
  • Kosher salt: Season them with a bit of kosher salt.
  • Shallot butter (optional): Make an easy glaze with finely chopped shallot, unsalted butter, and red wine vinegar.

How to Make Brussels Sprouts in the Air Fryer

  1. Heat air fryer to 375°F. Not all air fryers require preheating, but for the crispiest Brussels sprouts it is best to start with a hot air fryer.
  2. Prep the Brussels sprouts. Trim the ends from all of the Brussels sprouts and cut any that are large in half. Toss the sprouts with olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper.
  3. Add to air fryer. Arrange the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket in a single layer for maximum exposure to the hot, circulating air.
  4. Air fry for 15 minutes. Shake or rotate baskets to ensure even crispness.
  5. Toss with shallot butter (optional): Add extra flavor with a 3-ingredient shallot butter drizzle.

Storage Tips

Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Credit: Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk

What to Serve with Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Comments

Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Use the air fryer to serve impossibly crispy Brussels sprouts in a flash.

Prep time 10 minutes

Cook time 15 minutes

Serves 4

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1 pound

    Brussels sprouts

  • 1 tablespoon

    olive oil

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    kosher salt

For the shallot butter (optional):

  • 1

    medium shallot

  • 2 tablespoons

    unsalted butter

  • 1 teaspoon

    red wine vinegar

Instructions

Show Images

  1. Heat an air fryer to 375ºF. Meanwhile, trim 1 pound Brussels sprouts and halve any that are larger than 1-inch wide. Transfer to a medium bowl, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and toss to combine.

  2. Add the Brussels sprouts to the air fryer and arrange into a single layer (air fry in batches if needed). Air fry, stopping to shake the basket (or rotate the pans in larger air fryers) about halfway through, until browned and tender, about 15 minutes total. Meanwhile, make the shallot butter if desired.

  3. Finely chop 1 medium shallot. Place 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl and melt in the microwave. (Alternatively, melt in a medium saucepan over low heat, then remove from the heat.) Add the shallots and 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar, and stir to combine.

  4. When the Brussels sprouts are ready, transfer into the bowl or saucepan with the shallot butter and toss to combine. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Filed in:
Air Fryer
Cooking Methods
easy
quick
Roasting
Side Dish