Crispy Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

Hello to the BEST air fryer brussel sprouts! Before I got my air fryer, I would opt to roast my vegetables in the oven. While they are good that way, it’s not comparison to air frying.

This recipe was inspired by the crispy brussel sprouts at Uchiko here in Austin. It’s one of my favorite restaurants and everything they do is outstanding. They are crispy, caramelized, and so delicious. I am assuming they are fried, so I wanted to make a healthier spin on them.

These air fryer brussel sprouts are tossed with a little bit of oil, coconut aminos, honey, and spices which gives them tons of flavor. They are perfectly crispy, a little sweet thanks to honey, and ready in about 20-25 minutes.

Once trying them, they will be your new favorite way to make them! Plus, they make a perfect appetizer or side dish for any meal.

Are brussel sprouts healthy?

Brussel sprouts are a great healthy addition to any diet. They are low in calories, low in carbohydrates, and are a good source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin K, and B vitamins.

They also contain sulforaphane, which is released when they are chopped or chewed. Studies have shown it to have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-diabetic effects.

What do brussel sprouts taste like?

Brussel sprouts have an earthy and bitter taste. But their flavor will depend on how they are prepared. Eating them raw, boiling them, or steaming them, the bitterness can be very strong. Roasting them mellows out the bitterness and they become sweeter and have slight nutty taste.

Opt for smaller Brussel sprouts as they will not be a strong and be more tender. Also. the bitterness can be found in the core. By removing it (once cutting them in half), it can help with the taste.

Why I love my air fryer

If you follow me on Instagram, you know we love our air fryer. We have been using our air fryer since 2018 and it makes an appearance probably 4-5 times a week! And here is why:

1. You can get super crispy food – due to the technology of the air fryer and the way the air flows, it helps get food super crispy on the outside. No need for deep frying.
2. You don’t need to use a lot of oil – to get that crispy texture, foods are usually cooked in a lot of oil or deep-fried. I find you only need a tablespoon or two of oil in the air fryer, which makes recipes a lot healthier.
3. It cooks things faster than your oven – I find that it cooks things faster than in our oven and with better results!
4. The versatility – you can do so many things with it! From pork chops, chicken wings, salmon, any kind of veggies, and even homemade chips!

I have a Philips Air Fryer XXL and love it. While it is large, it holds a lot of food. It has multiple settings, is easy to clean, and is easy to store.

It is a little pricer than other ones I have seen, but with it being so large and how well it works, I think it is worth it. There are plenty of different models and options out there to find one that best fits your needs.

Ingredients

• brussel sprouts
• oil
• coconut aminos
• honey
• garlic powder
• ground ginger
• red pepper flakes
• salt and pepper

How to cook brussel sprouts in the air fryer

1. Prep your brussel sprouts. Trim your brussel sprouts by cutting off the stem. Then slice them in half length-wise. If you have really large brussel spouts, you can cut them in fourths.
2. Mix your ingredients for the sauce together. In a small bowl, add the oil, coconut aminos, honey, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper.
3. Mix. Add brussel sprouts to a large mixing bowl. Pour the sauce over the brussel sprouts and mix well. You really want to make sure they all have an even coating on them.
4. Air fry. Add brussel sprouts to your air fryer basket. If there is any remaining sauce in the bottom of the bowl, make sure to pour it on them (I suggest using a spatula). Spread them out evenly in your air fryer basket. It is okay if some are on top or overlapping. Set to 400 degrees for 10 minutes. At the 10-minute mark, remove the basket and shake well (best to do it over the sink). Continue to cook for another 5-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
5. Enjoy! If desired, garnish with some sesame seeds and enjoy!

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

No, I have never preheated my air fryer for anything and find you don’t need to as it is just a waste of energy. It will get hot enough without preheating.

How long to air fry brussel sprouts

I found the best cooking time to make brussel sprouts in the air fryer is 15-18 minutes at 400 degrees. I suggest pausing around the 10-minute mark, shaking, and then cooking for another 5 minutes and adding more time as needed.

Cooking time will slightly vary depending on the size of your brussel sprouts and how many you are making.

Can you double this recipe?

Yes, this air fryer brussel sprouts recipe can easily be doubled. First, make sure you have a big enough air fryer. You still want enough room for air to flow. I can easily fit 2 pounds of brussel sprouts in my Philips Air Fryer XXL.

When doubling the recipe, they will take around 25-30 minutes to cook. It could be a little shorter or longer depending on the size of your brussel sprouts as well. I like to pause the machine around the 15 and 25 minute mark to shake them up, and then add on time from there depending on how they look.

If you have a smaller air fryer you can still double the recipe, but you will have to cook them in batches.

Can you use frozen brussel sprouts?

I have not tried using frozen and am not sure if they will work as they tend to have more water content and will not get as crispy.

What to serve with brussel sprouts

• baked asian inspired pork meatballs
• sesame noodles with chicken and broccoli
• air fryer pork chops
• grilled chicken thigh marinade

Tips for the best air fryer brussel sprouts

1. Try to get similar in size brussel sprouts. I like to get smaller to medium size ones as I they tend to cook faster and get super crispy. Larger ones will work, you might just need to cook them a little longer.
2. Cut them into uniform pieces. This goes back to having them in a similar size, but to ensure even cooking, make sure they are cut evenly.
3. Full coat them with the sauce. The honey and coconut aminos cook up nicely and give them a good crisp.
4. Shake them around a few times. I like to pause the air fryer around the 10-minute mark to remove the basket and shake them up. That way it helps them get an even airflow. I usually pause them with a couple of minutes left and do the same.
5. Cooking at high temperatures. High temperatures are what help them get golden brown on the outside. I suggest cooking at 400 degrees. With my air fryer, you don’t need to preheat it, but check your manual if that is something yours recommends. I find it to be a waste of time/energy (even in the oven!).

Storage

• refrigerator – if you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely (so no moisture forms) and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• freezer – cooked brussels sprouts can be frozen, although their texture will change once defrosted and they will not be as crispy. If freezing, place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer and place in the freezer for 1-2 hours until frozen. Freeze in a storage bag for up to 3 months. Freezing them in a single layer allows them to not stick together when you place them in a bag/container.

How to reheat air fryer brussel sprouts

To heat them up you can put them back in the air fryer for 4-6 minutes, toast them in a pan with a little oil, or use the microwave.

More healthy air fryer recipes

• air fryer sweet potato fries
• air fryer buffalo cauliflower
• best crispy air fryer french fries
• roasted air fryer carrots
• rosemary garlic air fryer potatoes

If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!