Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts: Oil-Free, Easy, And Delicious!

Cooking Brussels sprouts in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You can cook them with or without oil, depending on your preference. If you want to cook them without oil, you can use maple syrup instead. You can also add vinegar, salt, and spices to taste.

How to prepare the sprouts before cooking

Preparing sprouts for the air fryer is simple. First, wash your sprouts thoroughly and remove any excess dirt. Pick off any outer leaves that may be yellow or wilted. Then, trim and halve the sprouts. If you want them softer in the centre, you can soak them in water for 10 minutes. Drain and dry the sprouts. If you're not using oil, you can toss them with maple syrup, vinegar, and salt.

How to cook the sprouts in the air fryer

First, wash your sprouts thoroughly and remove any excess dirt or outer leaves that may be yellow or wilted. Next, 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.

Now, toss the sprouts with oil and/or maple syrup, vinegar, and salt. Make sure to coat them well. You can also add spices, such as garlic, if you like.

Spread the sprouts out in your air fryer basket and cook at 400° F for 8 to 12 minutes. Shake the basket and check on the sprouts at the 8-minute and 10-minute marks. You're aiming for crispy and browned, but not burnt! The cooking time may vary depending on your sprouts, your air fryer, and your desired level of crispness. Some sprouts or air fryers might need longer than 12 minutes, so keep an eye on them and add time if needed.

Your sprouts are ready when they're crisped to your preference. Enjoy!

How to make the sprouts crispy without oil

How to make sprouts crispy without oil

To make sprouts crispy without oil, you can replace the oil with maple syrup. First, bring a pot of water to the boil and add the sprouts. Boil for 8-12 minutes, until they're tender, then plunge them into a bowl of ice water and drain them. Dry the sprouts with a kitchen towel or paper towels. Next, toss the sprouts with maple syrup, vinegar, and salt. Make sure they're well coated. Spread the sprouts out in your air fryer basket and cook at 400° F for 8-12 minutes, shaking and checking their progress at the 8-minute and 10-minute marks. You're aiming for crispy and browned, but not burnt. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and sprouts, so keep checking and add more time if needed. If the sprouts in the middle of the basket aren't crispy enough, give the basket a shake and cook for another 1-2 minutes, shaking again when you stop.

How to make sure the sprouts are cooked through

To make sure your sprouts are cooked through, you'll need to cook them for around 8-12 minutes at 400° F. You should shake the basket at the 8-minute and 10-minute marks to check their progress. If you're doubling the recipe, you might need to cook them for a little longer. You can tell they're done when they're crispy and browned, but not burnt. If you want to make them softer in the centre, you can soak them in water for 10 minutes before cooking. You can also boil them in water for 8-12 minutes until they're fork-tender, then plunge them into a bowl of ice water.

How to add flavour to the sprouts

To add flavour to your sprouts, toss them with a combination of maple syrup, vinegar, and salt. You could also add garlic, or balsamic vinegar. If you're not opposed to using oil, toss your sprouts with a high-quality oil, such as avocado or olive oil, and honey.

Frequently asked questions