Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
If you grew up on boiled sprouts, these will change your mind. The air fryer browns the cut sides and turns the loose outer leaves into crisp little chips. A splash of balsamic and maple and a shower of Parmesan go on at the end.
Updated
- Prep Time
- 8 mins
- Cook Time
- 14 mins
- Total Time
- 22 mins
- Servings
- 4 servings
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts at a glance
To make Brussels sprouts in the air fryer, trim and halve 500 g of sprouts and toss them with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until browned and tender. Toss with balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and Parmesan and serve straight away.
- Total time
- 22 mins
- Calories
- 130 per serving
- Protein
- 7 g
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Method
- Air frying
Ingredients
Sprouts
To finish
Equipment
Air fryer · Mixing bowl · Small bowl
Quick Directions
- 1
Preheat and prep
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for 3 minutes.
- 2
Season
Toss the sprouts with the olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper until every cut side is glossy.
- 3
Air fry
Spread the sprouts in the basket in a single layer, cut sides down where you can, and work in batches if needed.
- 4
Glaze and serve
Stir the balsamic vinegar and maple syrup together in a small bowl.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to make the perfect air fryer brussels sprouts.
- 1
Preheat and prep
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for 3 minutes. Trim the stem ends of the sprouts, pull off any yellow outer leaves and cut each sprout in half through the stem. Quarter any that are larger than a walnut.
- 2
Season
Toss the sprouts with the olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper until every cut side is glossy. Keep any loose leaves in the bowl; they turn into crisp chips.
- 3
Air fry
Spread the sprouts in the basket in a single layer, cut sides down where you can, and work in batches if needed. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until the edges are deeply browned and a knife slides easily into the centre.
- 4
Glaze and serve
Stir the balsamic vinegar and maple syrup together in a small bowl. Tip the hot sprouts into the mixing bowl, toss with the glaze and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Serve straight away while the edges are crisp.
Recipe Tips
- Choose small, firm sprouts of a similar size so they cook evenly.
- Don't crowd the basket. Sprouts piled on top of each other steam instead of browning.
- Add the balsamic only after cooking; its sugars burn quickly at air fryer temperatures.
Variations
- Toss in 2 tbsp dried cranberries and 2 tbsp toasted pecans with the glaze for a festive side.
- Fry 75 g chopped bacon in a skillet until crisp and toss it through at the end (the dish will no longer be vegetarian).
- Skip the Parmesan and finish with a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of chili flakes to make it vegan.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 130 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbs | 13 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Saturated fat | 2 g |
| Fibre | 5 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 420 mg |
Estimated from the listed ingredients; values vary by brand.
Related Recipes
Storing & Reheating
- Fridge
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat
- Re-crisp in the air fryer at 190°C (375°F) for 3-4 minutes.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts FAQs
How long do Brussels sprouts take in the air fryer?
Halved sprouts take 12-15 minutes at 190°C (375°F). Small sprouts can be ready in about 10 minutes and large quartered ones can take up to 18. Shake the basket halfway for even browning.
Do I need to boil Brussels sprouts before air frying?
No. Halved raw sprouts cook through in the air fryer in about 15 minutes. Boiling them first only makes them softer and less crisp.
How do I make Brussels sprouts less bitter?
Brown the cut sides well, since caramelized edges taste sweeter, and finish with the balsamic and maple glaze. Small, tight sprouts also tend to be milder than large ones.
Are air fryer Brussels sprouts healthy?
Yes. One serving has about 130 calories and 5 g of fibre, and the whole batch uses only 1.5 tbsp of oil.
