The Best Simple Crispy Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
For many of us, being force-fed mushy, boiled Brussels sprouts as a child, made us swear off them as an adult. However, if this is you, it’s time to give this little green vegetable a second chance! These air fryer Brussel sprouts are amazingly crispy, lightly caramelized, nutty, and packed with sweet and savory flavor and texture! When paired with a maple balsamic glaze (or the seasonings/toppings of your choice), they’ll become a new favorite side dish, no matter the occasion. While roasted Brussels sprouts are simple (method below), they can take up to 40 minutes In the oven. In comparison, these air fryer Brussels sprouts are ready to plate up in under 25 minutes- from start to finish! All they require is just a few minutes of hands-on prep and a handful of ingredients. The results are beyond moreish and allow you to achieve restaurant-quality crispiness with a tiny portion of the oil! Get ready to turn one of the most hated dishes on the table into one, that everyone asks for more of. Now everyone can take advantage of these balsamic Brussels sprouts gut-healthy fiber, antioxidants, and abundance of vitamins and minerals (particularly vitamins K and C), with a smile on their faces! Even better, these simple garlic Brussel sprouts (minus the glaze) are also incredibly diet-friendly: gluten-free, keto, whole30, low-carb, paleo, and vegan! If you want more simple and nutritious appetizers/sides, you may also enjoy these carrot fries or red lentil patties!
The Ingredients
For the garlic Brussels sprouts
Maple balsamic glaze (optional)
Balsamic vinegar: I recommend using mid to low-priced balsamic for these balsamic Brussels sprouts. There’s no need to go all out and use an expensive one (those are best for drizzling straight over salads). Maple syrup: I love the flavor combination of maple syrup and balsamic vinegar for these maple Brussels sprouts. However, you could also use brown sugar. Soy sauce: you can use regular or reduced-sodium soy sauce. Alternatively, use tamari if gluten-free.
You’ll also need some cooking spray to spray your air fryer basket!
Optional add-ins and recipe variations:
Other seasonings: This is a base recipe for air-fried Brussel sprouts, meaning there are tons of ways to experiment with seasonings. Use herb/spice blends (like Italian seasoning or Cajun seasoning) or experiment with your spices of choice. I love the combination of air-fried Brussels sprouts with smoked paprika. ‘Parmesan’ Brussels sprouts: For simple, slightly cheesy Brussels sprouts, you can season them with some nutritional yeast (pre-cooking) and/or toss them in a few tablespoons of vegan Parmesan cheese after air frying. Spice: Use chili pepper, cayenne pepper, or sprinkle with a pinch of red pepper flakes (adjusted to taste). Breadcrumbs: To add even more crunch, toss the sprouts with panko breadcrumbs (use gluten-free breadcrumbs if necessary) before air frying. Dried cranberries: Will add bursts of sweet flavor for a delicious Thanksgiving/Christmas side. Maple glazed Brussels sprouts: Ditch the balsamic, and toss the sprouts with just maple. Lemon Brussels sprouts: Combine the garlic Brussels sprouts with some lemon zest and lemon juice (or lime juice). More vegetables: Several vegetables will air-fry within the same timeframe as the Brussels sprouts. I recommend experimenting with broccoli, asparagus, and possibly bell peppers (all of which will take between 10 and 15 minutes).
Please read the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information.
How to Cook Brussels Sprouts in An Air Fryer?
First, rinse and prepare the Brussels sprouts. Remove any brown outer leaves and trim off the long ends. Then, cut the sprouts in half (length-wise) and transfer them to a medium-large bowl. Drizzle with the oil and then toss the sprouts with salt and pepper.
Transfer them to the air fryer basket (after spraying it with cooking spray), spreading them evenly in a single layer.
Next, slice off the top of the head of garlic and brush it with oil. Wrap it in a piece of foil and add that to the air fryer basket too.
It’s possible to cook the garlic in the air fryer without the foil (in just 10 minutes). However, it will turn out drier and not as tender.
Air fry the Brussels sprouts for around 15 minutes at 370F/188C, shaking the basket once after 8-10 minutes.
The cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer brand and the size of the sprouts, so keep an eye out when making these air-fried Brussels sprouts for the first time. I’ve noticed this may take as little as 8-10 minutes entirely for some brands.
For Roasted Brussels Sprouts
For delicious roasted Brussels sprouts with garlic, the method is also simple, but it takes longer.
First, preheat the oven to 400F/205C. Then, transfer the sprouts and garlic to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast them in the oven for between 30-40 minutes, or until nicely browned.
The cooking time can vary somewhat based on your specific oven, so keep an eye after 20-25 minutes.
How to Serve?
You can enjoy air-fried Brussels sprouts as a snack or side. Here are some of my favorite serving recommendations:
Pair with a protein: If your air fryer basket is big enough, you can often find a protein (like tofu) that will cook at the same time as the maple Brussels sprouts. Serve at the holidays: These garlic and maple balsamic Brussels sprouts will work wonderfully as part of a Thanksgiving or Christmas spread. Vegan roast dinner: Even if it’s not a holiday, garlic Brussel sprouts make for a wonderful pairing for a roast dinner alongside your main of choice (like vegan meatloaf), creamy mashed potato, and gravy. Add to pasta dishes: This side dish is perfect for adding extra nutrients to hot or cold pasta dishes. Like one-pot pasta, lemon pasta, or gnocchi. Add to salad and grain bowls: A delicious green for any salad!
How to Make Ahead and Store
Make ahead: You can prepare the Maple balsamic glaze up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Store: Allow the Brussels sprouts to cool and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. I don’t recommend freezing them, as they can become mushy once thawed. Reheat: You can reheat the Brussel sprouts in the air fryer (or oven) for several minutes until warmed through (the time will vary based on the portion) OR in a skillet on the stovetop. Avoid reheating them in the microwave, as well become mushy.
Can you air fry frozen Brussels sprouts?
Of course! Make sure to leave plenty of space between them (as they are more likely to steam otherwise) and increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
Why won’t my Brussels sprouts become crispy?
This is usually only an issue if you’ve overcrowded your air fryer basket (i.e. if you double the recipe). Make sure to lay them in a single layer, with space in between; that way, they won’t steam and instead will become wonderfully crisp air-fried Brussel sprouts!
Do I need to cut the Brussels sprouts in half before cooking?
There are a couple of reasons why we do this. First, when you air fry Brussels sprouts, this helps create more surface area for crispier, more caramelized veggies. However, this can also release some of the compounds that cause sprouts to be slightly bitter.
Recipe Notes and Top Tips
Preheat your air fryer, if required: This will help to ensure even cooking (though not all models require this step). Use even-sized Brussels sprouts: This will also help for even cooking. Cook in batches if needed: If you crowd the basket, the air won’t be able to circulate evenly around the Brussels sprouts, and they may turn out soggy. It’s better to lay the vegetables in a single layer, with space in between, and cook multiple batches if necessary. If you prefer more tender Brussels sprouts: To avoid burning the crispy brussels sprouts while still having a tender (slightly less chewy) middle, you can soak them in water for 10 to 15 minutes before air frying them. Alternatively, you can par-boil them. Pat them thoroughly dry before seasoning/cooking.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Zucchini Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Vegan Empanadas Air Fryer Falafel Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas Hasselback Potatoes Recipe
If you try this air fryer Brussels sprouts with a maple balsamic glaze recipe, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan #elavegan—I love seeing them.
