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Tossed in a savory-sweet seasoning, these Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are the perfect mix of crispy, chip-like leaves and tender, moist centers. They’ve quickly become my go-to, whether for holiday dinners or when I need a quick, crowd-pleasing side.
While I’ve always loved oven-roasted Brussels sprouts in the winter, this air fryer recipe has become my new favorite. It’s incredibly quick and easy—ready in just about 30 minutes, including a brief soak to keep them moist. The result? Perfectly caramelized, tender on the inside, and crisp on the outside.
There are a million ways to season Brussels sprouts, but I’m sharing my top choice—a delightful balance of sweet and salty flavors. To make them, I soak halved sprouts in cold water to keep the insides tender, then toss them in olive oil, honey, and spices before air-frying until crispy. A final drizzle of balsamic glaze ties everything together and adds a tangy touch.
One bite, and you’ll be hooked! Serve these air fryer Brussels sprouts alongside roast chicken or my top-rated Chilean sea bass, and let the compliments roll in!
Watch how to make it
Ingredients
- Brussels sprouts: Choose firm, vibrant green sprouts with tightly packed leaves. Ideally, use ones of similar size to ensure they cook evenly.
- Oil: I love to use extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Seasoning: You need salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder (optional). Alternatively, you can season with your favorite spices, herbs, or spice blends.
- Honey: Adds a bit of sweetness and helps to crisp up the sprouts.
- Balsamic glaze: Optional for a gourmet finish, drizzle over the air-fried Brussels sprouts before serving.
See the printable recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make Brussels sprouts in the air fryer
Prepare the Brussels sprouts: Wash and trim the Brussels sprouts. If any outer leaves are wilted, remove them. Cut them in half to cook them faster and get crispier edges.
Soak the Brussels sprouts: Next, soak the sprouts in a bowl with cold water for about 15 minutes so their insides become tender. Doing this also prevents them from over-roasting at the edges.
Once soaked, drain and pat them dry thoroughly using a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.
Season the sprouts: Begin by mixing the spices in a small bowl, or you can do this directly in a large mixing bowl. Then, add the oil and honey, stirring until well combined. Pour this mixture over the Brussels sprouts and toss them with your hands, making sure each sprout is thoroughly coated.
Air fry: Preheat the air fryer to 375ºF/190ºC. Then, place the seasoned sprouts in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding so that the air can circulate and the veggies crisp up to perfection instead of steaming. Cook in batches if needed.
Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. You want each side to get crispy and beautifully golden brown!
Serve and enjoy: Before serving, drizzle with balsamic glaze for extra flavor. Then enjoy the super crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts!
What to serve with crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts
These crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts pair well with a variety of main dishes and sides:
- Main Dishes: Serve them with roasted chicken or roasted turkey, baked salmon or Chilean sea bass, air fryer steak, or baked short ribs.
- Other Side Dishes: For a holiday table spread, serve them alongside other vegetables like mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or air fryer green beans. You can also add them to a mixed green salad.
Helpful tips
- Choose similar-sized Brussels sprouts: Pick sprouts of similar size to ensure even cooking. Cutting them in half helps them cook faster and gives you crispier edges.
- Soak with water for about 15 minutes: Soaking the Brussels sprouts helps their insides stay tender while the outside gets crispy.
- Turn halfway through: Flipping the sprouts ensures both sides get crispy and beautifully golden brown.
- Avoid overcrowding: Give the Brussels sprouts enough space so the air circulates around them, allowing them to crisp up instead of steaming.
- Storage and reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, air fry at 350ºF/175ºC for 2-3 minutes. Freezing is possible but may affect texture—store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
More tasty side dishes for holidays
If you try this air fryer Brussels sprouts recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb brussels sprouts
- 1/4 cup olive oil extra-virgin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp chili powder optional
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze for serving
Instructions
- Wash and trim the Brussels sprouts. Cut the sprouts in half lengthwise. Soak them in cold water for about 15 minutes to keep them moist and tender inside.
- Drain and thoroughly dry them with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
- Mix the spices in a small bowl (or use a big mixing bowl). Add the oil and honey and stir to combine. Pour the mixture over the Brussels sprouts and toss with your hands to coat them well.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F/190°C.
- Place the seasoning Brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through (I like to flip the sprouts to make sure they cook evenly), until they're crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Transfer the air fryer Brussels sprouts to a serving dish and drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Video
Notes
To freeze: While it is possible to freeze, I don’t recommend it as their texture may become mushy. If needed, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Check the blog post for Tips and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Such a delicious recipe.