My air fryer Brussels sprouts are tender and crispy and are bursting with sweet and spicy flavor. I make them so often that they’ve become a true regular in my house!
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My Easy Recipe for Brussels Sprouts in the Air Fryer
I love testing different vegetables in the air fryer, so it was only a matter of time before air fryer Brussels sprouts became a thing.
What I didn’t realize was how different they would taste and how quickly they would air fry. So much so that I rarely cook them in the oven anymore!
The first time I tried this version out was when my husband Ben and I were hosting friends for dinner and I made them as a veggie side dish.
I would say my friends had no idea they came from the air fryer, but at least 2 of my friends are always hovering over me while I cook, especially when the air fryer is involved. They know I’m always testing things, so they love to be part of it. One of my friends even told me, “Wow, Brussels sprouts smell good for once!” She’s totally right.
And they were a hit! The Brussels sprouts tasted roasted, like they came straight from the oven, but they air fried so much faster. They even lost all their bitterness, so all that was left was a sweet and spicy flavor with my secret ingredient.
Now I needed to share my favorite version of making Brussels sprouts in the air fryer because the flavor on these is just so easy to pull off, and they taste amazing.
If you love air fryer vegetable recipes, try my recipes for air fryer carrots, air fryer asparagus, air fryer fried okra, air fryer baked potatoes, and air fryer summer squash.
Air Fry Brussels Sprouts Ingredients
- Brussels sprouts – I use fresh Brussels sprouts removed from their stalk
- Oil – this is used to help crisp up the sprouts
- Salt and black pepper – to really make the flavor in the sprouts pop
- Sweet chili sauce – I use this to bring a sweet and spicy flavor that complements the Brussels sprouts
- Red pepper flakes – to give a little more kick
How to Cook Brussels Sprouts in the Air Fryer
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.Â
STEP TWO: Clean and dry the Brussels sprouts, removing any discolored leaves. Cut the sprouts in half, trimming them if needed.
STEP THREE: In a large mixing bowl, add the halved Brussels sprouts, oil, salt, and pepper. Gently toss them together to coat.Â
STEP FOUR: Place the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer and air fry them for 8-10 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time.
STEP FIVE: Transfer the Brussels sprouts from the air fryer back to the bowl. Toss them with some sweet chili sauce and red pepper flakes, mixing it to combine.Â
STEP SIX: Place the Brussels sprouts back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, just enough time to warm up the sauce.Â
Tips for the Best Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts?
- Preheat the air fryer before adding the Brussels sprouts. This is my secret to getting crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside sprouts!
- Lay the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer in a single layer. I’ve noticed that when the sprouts are stacked, I end up with half of them burnt and half of them under cooked. If I need to cook more, I just cook in batches.
- Check on the Brussels sprouts while air frying to make sure they’re not overcooking. If I notice any brown spots on mine, I’ll turn the air fryer down to 370 degrees F and continue to cook.
- Dry the sprouts thoroughly after washing. The oil won’t stick to wet Brussels sprouts, which makes them more likely to burn, so I always dry mine really well.
- Flip the sprouts halfway through the cooking time. My sprouts cook much more evenly when move them around like this.
Air Fried Brussels Sprouts Variations and Substitutions
- For a bacon and balsamic version, I cook the bacon at 400 degrees F for about 10 minutes, chop, then add to the bowl with Brussels sprouts, oil, salt, and pepper. I air fry as usual, then drizzle with balsamic before serving.
- Spinkle minced garlic and Parmesan cheese instead of sweet chili sauce for the last 2 minutes of cooking. I still like to add red pepper flakes for a little heat, but they’re optional.
- For a savory twist, I toss the sprouts in some soy sauce near the end of the cooking time. I love serving this version with Sriracha.
- When I want sweetness without the spice, I’ll replace the sweet chili sauce with maple syrup. I make this version for my kids since they don’t like spicy food.
- To dial up the flavor, I’ll throw in more seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, ginger, or paprika.
What To Serve With Air Fry Brussels Sprouts
Air fryer brussels sprouts are such a versatile side, I love that I can pair them with both fancy and casual meals! For quick weeknight dinners, I serve them with air fryer hot dogs, meatloaf in the air fryer, or air fryer chicken nuggets.
If I want something more elevated, I’ll whip up air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer tilapia, or pork loin in the air fryer to go with my crispy air fried Brussels sprouts!
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts FAQs
Do I need to soak Brussels sprouts before air frying?
I don’t soak my Brussels sprouts before air frying them and I think they cook to perfection every time! Soaking them can make them more tender on the inside, but I love the texture they get without soaking, so I always skip it.
How long to cook halved Brussels sprouts in the air fryer
I find that halved Brussels sprouts air fried at 400 degrees F take about 8-10 minutes to cook through. I do throw them back in the air fryer after coating them in the sauce, but that’s just to heat up the sauce rather than continue the cooking process.
Why did my Brussels sprouts in the air fryer burn?
The most common culprit of burnt Brussels sprouts is an overcrowded air fryer basket. Stacked sprouts will be too close to the heating coil and can burn easily.
I also make sure my sprouts are relatively even in size. Otherwise, the smaller ones will cook faster than the larger ones and can start to burn.
Finally, I always make sure to dry my sprouts thoroughly after washing so the oil will stick. Oil won’t adhere to wet Brussels sprouts, which can cause them to burn.
Why won’t my air fryer Brussels sprouts get crispy?
If the Brussels sprouts are not getting crispy, the basket is either too full, or they need to cook for a few minutes longer.
I find an air fryer oven can take a few extra minutes to cook foods to the crispiness of a basket air fryer.
Can I air fry Brussels sprouts without oil?
To make Brussels sprouts in the air fryer without oil, I recommend turning the temperature down to 370 degrees F and sometimes even lower. The oil helps prevent the sprouts from burning, so if it’s not being used, turning down the temperature will help protect the exterior while the insides get nice and tender.
How to cook frozen Brussels sprouts in the air fryer
If I’m using frozen Brussels sprouts, I’ll start by preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees F. While it heats, I mix the frozen sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. After that, I toss everything in the air fryer and cook for about 14 minutes until the outsides are crispy, and the insides are fork-tender.
How to store leftover air fried Brussels sprouts
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I recommend enjoying within 4 days and reheating them in the air fryer at 400 degrees F for a few minutes!
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Rice in the air fryer
- Air fryer cornbread
- Air fryer onion rings
- Biscuits in the air fryer
- Air fryer red potatoes
- Diced potatoes in the air fryer
- Air fryer cabbage
Easy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts trimmed and halved
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce like Frank's Red Hot Sweet Chili Sauce
- pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Add the halved Brussels sprouts into a bowl with oil, salt, and pepper. Mix them to combine.
- Place the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer in a single layer and air fry for 8-10 minutes, turning the sprouts halfway through cooking.
- Remove the Brussels sprouts from the air fryer and put them back into the bowl. Toss in the sweet chili sauce and add red pepper flakes, if using. Mix it to combine.
- Put the Brussels sprouts back into the air fryer and cook for another 1-2 minutes to heat the sauce.
- Remove them from the air fryer and enjoy them immediately.
Notes
- Check on the Brussels sprouts while air frying to make sure they’re not overcooking. If you notice any brown spots on mine, turn the air fryer down to 370 degrees F and continue to cook.
- Dry the sprouts thoroughly after washing. The oil won’t stick to wet Brussels sprouts, which makes them more likely to burn.
- To cook frozen Brussels sprouts, cook them in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F for about 14 minutes.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 400 degrees F for a few minutes!
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Just purchased an Air Fryer, Have not yet tried it. Sprouts may be my first attempt.
Can you use frozen ones instead?
I’ve never tried making frozen Brussels Sprouts in the air fryer yet, but I would love to know how they turn out! They’ve been on my list of frozen foods to make.
I would try using the same temperature and cook them for about 3-5 extra minutes. If they are browning more quickly, drop the temperature down by 20-30 degrees when shaking halfway through.
How do you make the sweet c chili sauce?
Hi Sarah, I usually buy the Red Hot variety that is available right in the stores!
Sarah, your posts have saved me so much time. I just bought my air fryer a week ago & thankfully I found you! I have referred to your website every time I’ve taken it out of the cupboard to use it. Thank you so much for the time you have taken to put this together. So appreciated!
For the reader who asked about using FROZEN Brussels Sprouts…I did. I was gifted with 3 pounds of fresh Brussels Sprouts and had to cook them in my pressure cooker and freeze them in meal-size portions. I took one out yesterday morning and let it defrost, then left it to air-dry a bit all day in the fridge without a cover. Then, after drying them lightly with a paper towel, I air-fried them at 400 degrees (sprayed with olive oil) until they were nicely brown and crispy, and then I tossed them with the Sweet Chili Sauce and a tad of red pepper flakes in a foil pan while some chicken was cooking in the air fryer. When the chicken was done, I took it out and put the Brussels Sprouts back in for 2 minutes (foil pan and all) to reheat for 2 minutes while I served the rest of dinner. I thought they were very good and even my non-Brussels Sprouts fan hubby ate his up without complaint. So yes, you can air-fry frozen sprouts. I would definitely make these again. Thanks! I am a big fan of your air fryer recipes! I’ve had my air fryer for one year now. I try to think carefully about purchases (need vs want) and thought about an air fryer for one year before I actually bought one. I can honestly say that my air fryer was a GOOD purchase. No buyer’s remorse! I use it every single day.
Thanks for sharing your experience with using frozen brussel sprouts, I love that you were able to use the air fryer to get them crispy using my recipe. I’m so glad to hear that you enjoy the recipes I share. Thanks for your support and insight.
What type of oil do you use
I use olive oil personally but you can use just about any type of oil you have on hand.
Would it say red hot sweet chili sauce
Yes! Red Hot is a brand of sweet chili sauce. That’s my favorite brand to use for this recipe.