Emilie Meyer
Cooking Brussels sprouts in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make the vegetable crispy and delicious. The air fryer's super-hot circulating air makes the sprouts tender on the inside while the outside crisps to perfection. The cooking time is also cut in half compared to roasting them in an oven. To make air-fried Brussels sprouts, you'll first want to trim and halve the sprouts. Then, you can optionally soak them in water for 10 to 15 minutes for a softer centre. After drying and tossing them with oil and seasonings, they're ready for the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the sprouts in batches to ensure they cook evenly. Set the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
How to cook Brussels sprouts in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 375°F (190°C) |
| Cook time | 10-15 minutes |
| Preparation | Trim and halve sprouts, soak in water for 10-15 minutes, drain and dry, toss with oil and spices |
| Spices | Salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, garlic, Parmesan, lemon zest |
| Toppings | Balsamic glaze, bacon, hot honey, toasted breadcrumbs |
| Benefits | Faster and healthier than oven-roasted sprouts, crispy texture |
| Drawbacks | May burn before fully cooked inside |
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What You'll Learn
Soak sprouts in water for 10-15 minutes to prevent burning
If you want softer centres to your sprouts, it is recommended to soak them in water for 10 minutes. If you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you can skip this step. After soaking, make sure to drain and dry the sprouts before tossing them with oil and spices.
To cook the sprouts, first, trim and halve the sprouts. Then, heat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Add the sprouts to the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking and maximum exposure to the hot, circulating air. Set the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
If you want to add some flair to your sprouts, you can add some garlic cloves. You can also finish with a buttery glaze, such as shallot butter. If you like your sprouts with a kick, toss them in honey and your favourite hot spice, such as cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
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Trim ends and cut sprouts larger than 1 inch in half
Trimming the ends of Brussels sprouts and halving the larger ones is an important step in the air-frying process. This is because it helps speed up the cooking, ensuring that the insides of the sprouts become tender quickly, while also maximising the surface area for crisping. By trimming the ends and halving the sprouts, you increase the number of sprouts in the air fryer basket, allowing for more even cooking and ensuring that the outsides of the sprouts crisp up nicely.
When trimming the ends, it is important to remove any tough stems and yellowing or shrivelled outer leaves. This ensures that you are only working with the freshest part of the sprout. You can then cut each sprout in half lengthwise, through the stem and core. This will help the sprouts cook more evenly and give them a nice, uniform appearance.
If you are short on time, you can skip the trimming and halving step, but this may result in a longer cooking time and the sprouts may not cook as evenly. In addition, if you are looking for a softer texture in the centre of your sprouts, it is recommended to soak them in water for about 10 minutes before trimming and halving them. This will help to soften them before they even go into the air fryer.
Overall, taking the time to trim the ends and halve larger Brussels sprouts will result in a more efficient cooking process and help you achieve the desired texture and taste.
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Toss sprouts with olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper
To cook Brussels sprouts in an air fryer, start by trimming and halving the sprouts. If you like your sprouts softer in the centre, you can soak them in water for 10 minutes. Drain and dry the sprouts, then toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of crushed red pepper.
Now you're ready to add the sprouts to the air fryer. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, which helps the hot air circulate and ensures that the sprouts crisp evenly. Heat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). If your air fryer requires preheating, turn it on before you start prepping the sprouts.
Cook the sprouts for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If you're cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the sprouts in batches to ensure they cook evenly.
Once they're done, remove the sprouts from the air fryer and serve.
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Arrange sprouts in a single layer in the air fryer basket
When you're ready to cook your sprouts, transfer them to the basket of an air fryer. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the sprouts in batches to ensure they are arranged in a single layer. This is important because it maximises their exposure to the hot, circulating air, ensuring they cook evenly and crisp up nicely.
Arrange the sprouts in an even layer, not in a pile, so that the air can circulate and the veggies can crisp instead of steam. If your sprouts are larger than 1 inch wide, halve them before arranging them in the basket. This will speed up the cooking process, helping the sprouts to become tender inside quickly and maximising the surface area for crisping.
If you have a 10-quart fryer, for example, you may find that your sprouts look crowded in the basket. In this case, it's best to cook them in two batches. Keep the first batch warm in an oven while you cook the second.
Once your sprouts are arranged in the basket, you're ready to start cooking!
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Cook at 375°F for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through
Once your Brussels sprouts are prepped, you can start air-frying. Set the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. This temperature is ideal for air-frying Brussels sprouts without burning them. Shaking the basket will keep the air circulating, so your sprouts crisp evenly.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches to ensure your sprouts are in a single layer. This will ensure maximum exposure to the hot, circulating air. If you're using a 10-quart fryer, for example, you may need to make your sprouts in two batches.
Keep in mind that all air fryers work differently, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on your sprouts during cooking. If you notice they're starting to burn, try reducing the cook time and letting them sit inside the air fryer to finish cooking with residual heat.
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Frequently asked questions
First, trim and halve the sprouts. If you want them softer in the centre, soak them in water for 10 minutes. Drain and dry the sprouts, then toss them with oil and spices. Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
To prevent burning, you can soak the sprouts in water before cooking. This will slow down the speed at which they brown. You can also try lowering the temperature of your air fryer.
You can season sprouts with olive oil, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. You can also top them with toasted, garlicky breadcrumbs, balsamic glaze, or parmesan cheese.
