Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

This Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts recipe is the perfect side dish for a weeknight meal or a holiday dinner party! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these flavorful sprouts are drizzled with a bit of olive oil, sprinkled with seasonings and air fried to golden perfection start to finish in about 15 minutes!

Brussels sprouts tend to get a bad rap, but these crispy air fryer brussel sprouts really change that narrative. Seriously, even the pickiest of eaters end up loving these! And who wouldn’t? They’re a crunchy, healthy, salty, snack that will have everyone asking you for the recipe.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

This is an overview of the ingredients you will need to make these delicious Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts. Important notes and substitutions for certain ingredients are discussed. The full printable recipe, with amounts and specific details, can be found at the bottom of the page.

• Brussel Sprouts –  You can find fresh brussel sprouts at most grocery stores, but if you only find frozen ones, be sure to add an extra 2 minutes to the cooking time. 
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Using olive oil will make this recipe a bit healthier, but you can use whatever oil you prefer. If you have a little bacon grease you can add that in, the flavor it provides is outstanding.
• Balsamic Vinegar – Regular balsamic vinegar is what I recommend, but you can use white balsamic vinegar as well. If you don’t have either, apple cider vinegar makes a great substitute. 
• Honey – The sweetness of the honey and the tanginess of the balsamic vinegar make an amazing flavor combination when paired with the brussel sprouts. If you don’t have honey on hand, maple syrup is a great substitute.
• Sea Salt – Sea salt adds extra flavor and texture to these sprouts, but feel free to use whatever salt you have on hand. 
• Thyme – Fresh thyme is a great addition to this recipe, but dried thyme works too. 

How To Make Brussel Sprouts In The Air Fryer

• In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper together to make a sauce. 
• Cut your brussel sprouts in half, and add them to the bowl with the oil mixture. Combine until the brussel sprouts are fully coated with the marinade. 
• Place the marinated brussel sprouts in your air fryer basket, and do your best to make sure the sprouts aren’t touching. Set your air fryer temperature to 370 ˚F and set the cooking time to 10 minutes and press start. Halfway through, pull the air fryer basket out and shake the brussel sprouts to get an even fry all around. 
• Once the 10 minutes is up, sprinkle the crispy sprouts with fresh thyme and serve right away for the best results. 

Recipe Tips and Advice

Storage – While I believe brussel sprouts are always best when fresh, sometimes you might find yourself with leftovers. Store the cooked brussel sprouts in an airtight container in the fridge for about 4 days. If you want to reheat them, just pop them back in the air fryer or in a regular oven for a few minutes until warm. 

Freeze – To freeze, put the sprouts in an airtight container in the freezer, and they’ll last up to 3 months. To reheat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and put them back in the air fryer or oven until warm. 

Make Ahead – To make these ahead of time, just combine the sprouts with the marinade, and allow them to sit in the air fryer basket until you’re ready to cook them. 

Materials – You’ll need an air fryer, a medium sized bowl, and a large spoon to combine everything.

Get Creative!

You don’t have to stop at the seasonings and glazes recommended for this recipe. Feel free to add things like garlic powder, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, lime juice, soy sauce, salty bacon, etc.

Recipe FAQs

What To Serve With Brussel Sprouts

Fried brussel sprouts are an easy side dish to pair with almost anything! For a hearty meal, pair this recipe with a main dish like Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, Pork Tenderloin, Shake And Bake, and more side dishes like Mashed Butternut Squash, Air Fryer Baked Potato, Cheesy Potatoes, Scalloped Potatoes, Candied Yams and Mashed Potatoes.