If you love Brussels sprouts, you’ll be in for a treat with this impossibly easy recipe for crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts that cook up in just 20 minutes and use very little oil. These make a great appetizer or side dish. Gluten-free and vegan.
What are Brussels Sprouts?
Brussels sprouts are part of the Brassica family of vegetables, which include kale, broccoli, collard greens, and cabbage. They looks like miniature cabbages, and have long been popular in Brussels, Belgium, where they have been cultivated since the 16th century, which is the reason for their name.
These cruciferous vegetables are high in vitamins A and C, and also make good sources of iron, so incorporating them into your diet is a good idea!
When are Brussels Sprouts in Season?
These days, you can practically get access to Brussels sprouts throughout the year (most large supermarkets stock them all-year round), but their peak season in the US tends to run from August/September all the way till February/March.
So if you happen to see Brussels sprouts available in the market these days, it’s definitely time to try this recipe!
Putting Our Air Fryer to Good Use
Given how much we’ve been using the air fryer since getting it (we’ve made air fryer French fries, air fryer zucchini fries, and even air fryer chicken wings), it was time for us to experiment with Brussels sprouts, which I’ve been seeing at the market.
Marinating the Brussels Sprouts
This basic recipe for air fryer brussels sprouts requires just a few ingredients – Brussels sprouts, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Start off by rinsing the Brussels sprouts, cutting off the stems, and then slicing them into half from top to bottom.
Next, toss the Brussels sprouts halves together with olive oil, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated with the ingredients.
How to Cook Brussels Sprouts in the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 375F for 5 minutes. Once the air fryer is hot, transfer the coated sprouts to the air fryer basket and spread them out evenly.
I always try not to fill my basket to more than 1/3 full, to enable the sprouts to have plenty of space to cook evenly and to crisp all over. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, it may be necessary to cook the sprouts in 2 different batches.
Let the Brussels sprouts cook for approximately 18 to 20 minutes, tossing them halfway through to ensure they are evenly cooked. Once they are golden brown and crispy, transfer them to a plate.
Can I Roast Brussels Sprouts in the Oven?
If you don’t have an air fryer and wish to roast the Brussels sprouts in the oven instead, you can definitely do that! It will take around twice as long to cook in the oven, but you’ll get the same results.
Simply preheat the oven to 400F, and spread the brussels sprouts (that have been coated with oil, salt and pepper) evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 40 minutes, tossing them halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Optional toppings/dressings:
I like to squeeze fresh lemon juice on top of the cooked sprouts and then sprinkle on a bit of nutritional yeast (or parmesan cheese if you can tolerate dairy) on top.
If you prefer a more tart taste, drizzle on some balsamic vinegar before serving. For those of you who like some heat, you can also sprinkle on some red chili powder or chili flakes once the sprouts are cooked.
Other Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Enjoy:
- Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Crispy Air Fryer French Fries (Fresh or Frozen)
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Gluten-Free)
Other Appetizers/Side Dishes to Cook:
- Gluten-Free Jalapeño Cornbread (Dairy-Free)
- Crispy Baked Yuca Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Rosemary Focaccia Bread (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Easy Creamy Hummus (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Easy Stovetop Popcorn (with Microwave Option)
- Easy Gluten-Free Naan Bread (No-Yeast, Dairy-Free)
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts (Gluten-Free,Vegan)
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
If you love Brussels sprouts, you’ll be in for a treat with this impossibly easy recipe for crispy air fryer Brussels Sprouts that cook up in just 20 minutes and use very little oil. These make a great appetizer or side dish. Gluten-free and vegan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse and cut off the stems of the Brussels sprouts, before cutting them into halves from top to bottom.
- Toss the Brussels sprouts halves together with the olive oil, ground black pepper and salt until the sprouts are coated all over.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375F, and then transfer the oil-coated sprouts to the air fryer basket, making sure the basket isn’t more than 1/3 full (this will ensure that the sprouts have enough space to cook and crisp up all over. If necessary, depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the sprouts in 2 batches.)
- Cook the sprouts for 18 to 20 minutes, tossing halfway through, until they are tender on the inside and golden brown and crispy on the outside.Â
- Transfer the cooked sprouts to a plate, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over, and sprinkle with nutritional yeast.Â
Notes
Nutritional Yeast: If you are not lactose-intolerant, you can replace the nutritional yeast for equal quantities of grated parmesan cheese.
Do Not Overcrowd: A rule of thumb that I generally follow is to ensure that my air fryer basket is never more than 1/3 full, so that the food has plenty of space to cook evenly and crisp up well. I find that if the basket is overcrowded, the food often turns out soggy and doesn’t become crispy.
Optional Toppings/Dressings: I personally like a fresh squeeze of citric lemon juice over my Brussels sprouts as I find it contrasts nicely with the slightly bitter taste of the sprouts. I also like sprinkling some nutritional yeast (or grated Parmesan cheese if you eat dairy). For a slightly stronger dressing, add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar over your sprouts.
Roasting Brussels Sprouts in the Oven: If you don’t own an air fryer, you can simply roast the sprouts in the oven too, although it will take twice as long. Simple spread out the marinated Brussels sprouts halves on a baking sheet and bake at 400F for 40 minutes, tossing them halfway through until they are tender inside, and golden brown and crispy outside.
- Category: Side Dishes
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: air fryer Brussels sprouts
