Tillie Doyle
Cooking Brussels sprouts in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get perfectly crispy results. The high-powered, compact convection oven cooks food by blowing hot air around it, making it crispy in a short amount of time. The biggest challenge when cooking Brussels sprouts in an air fryer is ensuring they become tender in the middle before the outsides burn. To avoid this, it's recommended to soak the sprouts in water for 10 minutes, trim the ends, and cut them into halves or quarters to ensure even cooking. The sprouts should then be seasoned and cooked in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness.
How long to cook Brussels sprouts in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking time | 12-15 minutes |
| Cooking temperature | 360-400°F |
| Preheating temperature | 375°F |
| Preheating time | 3 minutes |
| Soaking time | 10 minutes |
| Oil | Neutral-flavored oil spray, avocado oil, grape seed oil, olive oil |
| Seasoning | Salt, black pepper, garlic, Parmesan, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, lime juice, soy sauce |
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What You'll Learn
How to get the perfect crunch
To get the perfect crunch, there are a few things to keep in mind when preparing and cooking your Brussels sprouts in an air fryer. Firstly, it is important to use Brussels sprouts of similar sizes as this will ensure even cooking and crisping. If your sprouts vary in size, consider cutting them in half or even quartering them to promote even cooking.
The next step is to season your sprouts. Place them in a large mixing bowl and combine them with oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder or honey to enhance the flavor. Make sure each sprout is coated for the best results. Once your sprouts are prepared, arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This arrangement will maximize their exposure to the hot, circulating air and help them crisp up nicely.
Preheat your air fryer to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Not all air fryers require preheating, but it is recommended for the crispiest Brussels sprouts. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of crispness and the size of your sprouts, but generally, they will take around 10-15 minutes to cook. Don't forget to shake the basket a few times during cooking to toss the sprouts and promote even cooking.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. You can try different oils, seasonings, and cooking times to perfect your Brussels sprouts. You can also finish them with a glaze, such as balsamic vinegar or shallot butter, for an extra touch of flavor.
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Oil types and quantities
When cooking Brussels sprouts in an air fryer, it's important to use the right type of oil and the correct quantity to ensure optimal flavour and texture. Air fryers require much less oil than traditional frying methods, but oil still plays a crucial role in the cooking process, adding richness and helping to transfer flavours.
The type of oil you use depends on the recipe and the desired outcome. For instance, avocado oil has a high smoke point of around 520°F, making it ideal for air-frying meats. It's also rich in healthy fats, providing a nutritious option. Canola oil, on the other hand, has a neutral flavour and a smoke point of about 400°F, making it a versatile choice for most air-fried dishes. Coconut oil adds flavour and can withstand high temperatures, with a smoke point of approximately 350°F, making it suitable for baked goods in the air fryer. Olive oil is another popular choice, especially for vegetables and marinades.
The quantity of oil used can vary depending on the food being cooked. For fresh vegetables like Brussels sprouts, it's recommended to use 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil per pound of vegetables to ensure an even coating and crispiness. You can start with a light coating of oil and adjust according to your preferences. Some recipes suggest using a tablespoon of oil for vegetables, while others recommend drizzling or tossing the sprouts with oil without specifying an exact amount.
It's important to note that air fryers are not deep fryers, and using too much oil can result in greasy, soggy food instead of the desired crispiness. As a general rule, it's best to use just enough oil to lightly coat the food or the air fryer basket. Additionally, some foods, such as frozen foods like chicken nuggets or french fries, may not require any additional oil as they already contain oil from the manufacturing process.
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Soaking and seasoning
Soaking the Brussels sprouts in cold water for 5 to 10 minutes can make them a little softer in the centre. After soaking, lightly pat the sprouts dry with a towel. If you prefer your sprouts to have some chew, you can skip this step.
To season the sprouts, return them to the mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper and toss to coat evenly. You can also add garlic powder to the mix. For a more complex flavour, you can finish the sprouts with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or a buttery glaze.
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Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time for Brussels sprouts in an air fryer depends on the desired texture, the size of the sprouts, and the air fryer model. For sprouts that are crispy outside and tender inside, preheat the air fryer to 360–390 °F (180–200 °C). Halve or quarter the sprouts to speed up cooking and maximise the surface area for crisping. Drizzle or spray them with a neutral-flavoured oil, such as avocado, grape seed, or olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Place the sprouts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space for air to circulate.
For sprouts that are crispy and tender, cook in the air fryer for 10–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If you prefer softer centres, soak the sprouts in water for 10 minutes before cooking. For sprouts that are crispy all the way through, cook for a further 2–4 minutes. If adding sliced garlic, cook for an additional 2–4 minutes, until the garlic turns golden brown.
To prevent burning, keep an eye on the sprouts as they cook, especially if they vary in size. If the sprouts start to burn, reduce the cooking time and let them sit in the air fryer for a few minutes to cook with residual heat.
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Avoiding burning and overcrowding
To avoid burning and overcrowding when cooking Brussels sprouts in an air fryer, follow these steps:
Firstly, it is important to ensure your sprouts are all roughly the same size. This will help them cook evenly, so some don't burn while others are only slightly crispy. Cut the ends off the sprouts and remove any brown or wilted outer leaves. If any sprouts are very large, cut them in half or into quarters so that all the pieces are similar in size.
Next, you'll want to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This can trap steam and prevent crisping, leading to uneven cooking and soggy spots. If you are cooking a large batch, it is better to cook the sprouts in two batches, keeping the first batch warm in an oven while you cook the second. Make sure to spread the sprouts out in the basket, arranging them in a single layer so that the air can circulate and the sprouts can crisp up instead of steaming.
You can also prevent burning by keeping a close eye on the sprouts as they cook. Brussels sprouts can go from reduced to burned very quickly, so be sure to check on them regularly. If you like your sprouts on the firmer side, you can skip the pre-soaking step and reduce the cooking time by a few minutes. You can then turn off the air fryer and let the sprouts sit inside to continue cooking with residual heat.
Finally, don't forget to shake the basket several times throughout cooking to keep the air circulating. This will ensure the sprouts crisp evenly and don't burn.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook Brussels sprouts in an air fryer for 10-15 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
To get your Brussels sprouts crispy, ensure they are coated in oil and cooked in a single layer in the air fryer basket. The oil will help them crisp up. Also, make sure to shake the basket a few times throughout cooking to keep the air circulating.
The best temperature to cook Brussels sprouts in an air fryer is 375°F (190°C). This temperature will ensure they get crispy without burning.
First, trim the ends from the sprouts and remove any brown or wilted outer leaves. Cut any large sprouts in half or quarters to ensure even cooking. You can then season the sprouts with oil, salt, and pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
Some good seasoning options for Brussels sprouts include garlic, Parmesan, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, honey, and black pepper.
