Air Fryer Brussels sprouts are soft in the middle but a little crispy at the edges, a bit nutty, and absolutely delicious. Air frying sprouts is quick, easy, and a great way to make room on your hob!
I love brussels sprouts. The texture and flavour are brilliant, and they always feel like a bit of a treat because we don’t have them that often.
Fortunately, the kids love them too. We’re a house of sprout lovers, so around Christmas, there are plenty of Brussels sprouts on our table.
We are, however, a little boring with them. We generally just boil them and eat them as they are.
That is until I tried air-frying Brussels sprouts!
Air fryer Brussels sprouts are soft in the middle, crisp at the edges and full of lovely nutty flavour, which can sometimes be lost in the boil.
They are delicious, and I highly recommend air-frying your sprouts this winter!
Why Air Fry Brussels Sprouts
I love air-fried sprouts because:
- They are delicious.
- Air frying vegetables is a great way to save space on your hob. Perfect for Christmas dinner or a big Sunday roast.
- The texture is much better than boiling. You get gorgeous crispy Brussels sprouts that are nice and soft in the middle.
- While we often eat ours plain, there’s plenty that you can add for a brilliant flavour.
- If you love roasted Brussels sprouts or fried Brussels sprouts, you’ll love these, too.
Ingredients For Air Fryer Sprouts
All you need for basic air fryer Brussels Sprouts are:
Brussels sprouts
Olive Oil – Other cooking oils or a little melted butter are fine, too.
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Equipment
You’ll need an air fryer, preferably with a crisper tray.
Then, you just need a large bowl to toss them in oil and, salt and pepper.
If you need to trim your sprouts, you’ll also need a sharp knife and a chopping board.
How to Air Fry Brussels Sprouts– Step-by-Step Instructions
Step One
Trim the sprouts. If any of your sprouts are really big, you might want to cut them in half.
Step Two
Preheat your air fryer to 190 degrees C.
Step Three
Toss the sprouts in oil, salt, and pepper.
Step Four
Add them to the air fryer basket and air fry for 10 minutes, tossing halfway.
If your sprouts are very large, or you like them very soft, you may need to cook for longer, but I recommend reducing the temperature to 160 degrees C after 10 minutes so the outsides don’t burn.
How to Serve Air Fryer Sprouts
I serve my Brussels sprouts straight from the air fryer as a delicious side or part of a yummy roast dinner.
Leftovers
Leftover Brussels sprouts can be stored in the fridge and reheated the next day at 150 degrees C for 5-10 minutes.
You can also add them to a yummy air fryer bubble and squeak.
Variations
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Add a handful of chopped cooked bacon for the last 5 minutes for a bacon and Brussels sprouts recipe.
Sprouts with Chilli
Add a pinch of chilli flakes or dried red pepper flakes with the salt and pepper.
You could also add a little garlic powder.
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Parmesan
Add a tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese with the salt and pepper.
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Honey Glaze
Toss your sprouts in a simple balsamic honey glaze before air frying.
Air Frying Frozen Brussels Sprouts
Follow this recipe as it is for frozen sprouts, but air fry for around 5 minutes longer. You don’t need to defrost frozen brussel sprouts first.
FAQ
If your sprouts aren’t already trimmed, yes.
No, there’s no need to parboil sprouts.
Some recipes call for soaking sprouts for 15 minutes before cooking to help the middles soften. I’ve never found this necessary. You can if you want to make sure they are soft though, or if you like them extra mushy.
Some people score a cross in each sprout to help them bake evenly, but I’ve never found it makes much difference to air-fryer Brussels sprouts.
It’s normal for the outsides of your sprouts to darken and even char slightly. They taste great! However, loose leaves will completely burn, so make sure they are removed.
Yes, I’d only cut huge ones.
You can air fry sprouts without oil, but they will be dry and may burn.
Other Air Fryer Recipes
If you like cooking Brussels sprouts in air fryer you might also like;
- Air Fryer Chicken Burgers
- Carrots
- Parsnips
- Sweet Potatoes
- Beef Burgers
- Baked Potatoes
- Chilli
- Cottage Pie
- Air Fryer Cauliflower Cheese
Recipe Card
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 500 g Brussels sprouts (Trimmed and loose leaves removed)
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- Pinch Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 190 degrees C.
- Toss the sprouts in oil, salt, and pepper.
- Add them to the air fryer basket and air fry for 10 minutes, tossing halfway.
Notes
- If your sprouts are very large, or you like them very soft, you may need to cook for longer, reducing the temperature to 160 degrees C after 10 minutes.
- Another option is chopping large sprouts in half before cooking.
- Read the post above for more tips and advice.
Any nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate. The information is provided using an online calculator and is specific to my ingredients. Please make your own calculations if you want precise information.
