Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

These air fryer Brussels sprouts are perfectly cooked—tender inside and crispy outside. To make them even more delicious and crispy, I tossed them in olive oil, a flavorful seasoning mix, and a touch of cornstarch.

This crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite ways to enjoy this vegetable.

How many times have you bought Brussels sprouts because you wanted a variety of vegetables for your family, but most of the time, you are not sure what to do with them?

Roasted Brussels sprouts make such a perfect side dish for any meal and any occasion.

I often even add them to my bowls or salads like this spinach and baked salmon salad. You can even add them to your salads or bowls.

These Brussels sprouts come out so good, that even if you're usually not a fan, you'll like them.

A few notes about the recipe

Perfectly roasted Brussels should be tender inside, with browned crispy edges; they should taste slightly sweet and savory, but not bitter.

The most important tip is to choose fresh, bright green, hydrated Brussels. They should be firm to touch and compact. I always choose smaller sprouts as they are sweeter and more tender, 

For this recipe besides the seasoning and oil, I added a little bit of cornstarch, which absorbs the moisture and creates this amazing crispy texture. If you want to make them spicy, add some red pepper flakes before serving.

Ingredients needed

You can find the quantities of the ingredients in the recipe card below.

• Brussels sprouts: sometimes called mini cabbages, baby cabbages or, Brussels.  Choose fresh sprouts that are smaller in size, have a bright green color, and are without any brown spots. 
• Olive oil: I used extra virgin olive oil, but you can also use avocado oil.
• Corn starch: will make them crispy.
• Seasonings: kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper.

How to make air fryer Brussels sprouts

Wash the Brussels spouts in cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Remove and discard the outer leaves and trim the ends of the sprouts.

Cut each sprout in half and add them to the large mixing bowl. Now, drizzle them with olive oil, and sprinkle with some cornstarch, salt, and the rest of the seasonings. Toss the sprouts so they are evenly coated. 

Arrange seasoned Brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry them for about 12-14 minutes or until golden brown and tender inside.

And make sure to toss them every 3 minutes during the cooking process so they do not burn and cook evenly.

Recipe tips

The most important tip is to use fresh Brussels sprouts. Avoid soft spots that have dark spots. 

• Wash Brussels sprouts whole and pat them dry well.
• Even though air fryers can be used without oil, always use oil for air frying Brussels. I tried air frying them without oil, and they turned out very dry inside.
• Add some cornstarch, so they develop an even crispier exterior.
• Shake them every 3-4 minutes for even cooking.
• During the cooking process, remove any loose leaves ( you can enjoy them as well) before they burn.
• To store: store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.

Serving ideas

Here are some tasty ideas for serving the Brussels sprouts.

• Topped with Parmesan cheese: sprinkle roasted Brussels with some freshly grated Parmesan.
• With balsamic glaze: drizzle them with a little bit of balsamic glaze or even maple syrup for serving.
• Mixed with bacon bits: toss them in crispy bacon bits for a savory and smoky side dish.
• With nuts and dried fruit: add toasted pine nuts or walnuts with some cranberries for a great holiday side dish.
• As a delicious side dish: serve them with roasted spatchcock chicken, turkey legs, roasted duck, or baked salmon.

Can I air fryer frozen Brussels sprouts?

Yes, you can air fry them whole from frozen by increasing the cooking time to 20 minutes.

If you want to halve the Brussels sprouts, thaw them completely in the fridge first and then follow the rest of the recipe directions.

Making vegetables in your Air Fryer is seriously amazing.  You've got to try our other easy Air Fryer vegetable side dishes, such air fryer radishes, air fryer carrots and potatoes, air fryer tomatoes, air fryer sliced potatoes, air fryer frozen okra, air fryer baked potatoes, air fryer sweet potatoes, air fryer asparagus, air fryer cubed sweet potatoes, or air fryer roasted beets.

📖 Recipe