Tillie Doyle
Brussels sprouts are a great vegetable to cook in an air fryer. The super-hot circulating air makes the outsides crispy and the insides tender. The air fryer also preheats quickly and you need less oil than if you were cooking in an oven. To make crispy Brussels sprouts in an air fryer, trim the ends, cut them in half, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, and cook in the air fryer at 375-400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. You can also add other seasonings and sauces like garlic, Parmesan, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, or soy sauce.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking Temperature | 375-400 degrees F |
| Preheating Temperature | 375 degrees F |
| Cooking Time | 12-14 minutes-15 minutes |
| Oil | Neutral-flavored oil, avocado oil, olive oil |
| Oil Quantity | Less than oven-cooked sprouts |
| Salt | Kosher salt |
| Other Seasonings | Black pepper, garlic, garlic powder, honey, soy sauce, lime juice, balsamic vinegar |
| Sprout Size | Uniform |
| Sprout Texture | Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside |
| Soaking | Optional |
| Sprout Quantity | Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Soaking and trimming sprouts
Soaking and trimming Brussels sprouts are important steps in the preparation process before cooking them in an air fryer. Trimming the sprouts involves cutting off the tough ends of the stems and removing any loose, dry, or yellowed outer leaves. You can use a paring knife to trim the stems, especially if they are dry or yellowed. If you prefer your Brussels sprouts to be softer, you can soak them in cold water for 10 minutes before cooking. This will help ensure that they are tender in the middle while still crispy on the outside.
When trimming Brussels sprouts, you can cut them into halves or quarters, depending on their size. For larger sprouts, cut them in half lengthwise through the stem. If any sprouts are very large, you may need to cut them into quarters to ensure even cooking. Smaller sprouts can be left whole, but it is recommended to cut a cross symbol through the stem to allow them to cook at the same rate as the larger sprouts. Cutting the sprouts into smaller pieces increases the surface area exposed to the hot air in the air fryer, promoting even cooking and crisping.
It is recommended to trim and halve Brussels sprouts up to three days in advance to save time on cooking day. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to one week. When preparing the sprouts for cooking, be sure to dry them thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer. This will help ensure that they cook evenly and crisply.
By properly soaking and trimming your Brussels sprouts, you can ensure that they cook evenly and have a desirable texture when cooked in an air fryer.
Air Fryer Polish Sausage: Quick, Easy, Delicious!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$11.97 $22.99
$10.59 $16.99
Oil and seasoning
When it comes to oil and seasoning, the key is to use a high-quality oil and to ensure that each Brussels sprout is evenly coated. You can use a neutral-flavoured oil, such as avocado oil or olive oil, or an oil sprayer to reduce the amount of oil needed. The oil helps the sprouts to crisp up in the air fryer, so don't be afraid to use a little extra if needed.
For seasoning, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with garlic, Parmesan, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, or soy sauce. If you like your sprouts extra crispy, you can even add some honey to the mix. For a more uniform cook, it's best to use sprouts of similar sizes, so they crisp up at the same rate.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can try a variation with garlic. Simply add some slivers of garlic to the mix, and they will turn into pungent, golden chips as they fry. This variation also includes a dressing of balsamic vinegar and lime juice, and soy sauce.
For a restaurant-style finish, you can also add a buttery glaze. Make a shallot butter by finely chopping a medium shallot and melting two tablespoons of butter.
And there you have it! With the right oil and seasoning, you can transform humble Brussels sprouts into a craveable, crispy side dish.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips: Quick, Easy, and Healthy!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Air fryer temperature
The ideal temperature for cooking brussels sprouts in an air fryer is between 375°F and 400°F. At this temperature, the sprouts will cook through in around 15 minutes, though you may want to cook them for slightly less time if you prefer your sprouts al dente.
Not all air fryers require preheating, but for the crispiest sprouts, it is best to start with a hot air fryer. Preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes before adding the sprouts.
It is important to ensure that the sprouts are evenly and uniformly sized, so they cook at the same rate. If the sprouts are crowded in the basket, you may need to cook them in two batches. You can keep the first batch warm in an oven preheated to 170°F (75°C) while you cook the second batch.
During cooking, shake the basket several times to keep the air circulating and ensure the sprouts crisp evenly. You can also flip or toss the sprouts as directed in your recipe.
Frying Battered Fish: Air Fryer vs Oil Bath
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Shaking the basket
Shaking the air fryer basket is an important step in ensuring your Brussels sprouts cook evenly and become crispy. The hot air in the air fryer needs to circulate around each sprout, and shaking the basket helps to redistribute them so that they cook uniformly. This is especially important if you are cooking a larger batch of Brussels sprouts and the basket is fairly full.
Depending on the size of your air fryer and the quantity of sprouts, you may need to cook them in two batches to ensure they cook evenly. If you are cooking in batches, place the first batch in an oven set to 170°F (75°C) to keep them warm while you cook the second batch.
You should shake the basket at least once during cooking, about halfway through. If you are cooking a larger batch, you may need to shake the basket a few extra times throughout the cooking process. It is also a good idea to check on your sprouts while they are cooking to ensure they are crisping to your liking. If you prefer your sprouts on the darker and crispier side, you may want to cook them for a few minutes longer.
Remember, the key to achieving crispy Brussels sprouts in an air fryer is to ensure good air circulation. Shaking the basket is an essential step in achieving this, along with arranging the sprouts in a single layer and cutting them into uniform sizes before cooking.
How to Patch Your Bayou Classic Fryer Like a Pro
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Customising with garlic, Parmesan, maple syrup or balsamic
Customising your air-fried Brussels sprouts with garlic, Parmesan, maple syrup, or balsamic can add a lot of flavour to the dish. Here are some ways to do it:
Garlic
Add slivers of garlic to the air fryer about 2 to 4 minutes before the sprouts are done. Fry until the garlic turns into pungent golden chips.
Parmesan
Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top of your finished sprouts.
Maple Syrup
Drizzle 2 teaspoons of maple syrup over the cooked sprouts for a sweet finish. For a sweet and spicy variation, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
Balsamic
In a small saucepan, bring balsamic vinegar to a simmer. Continue to simmer until thickened and starting to look syrupy, adjusting the heat as necessary to prevent burning, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in 2 tablespoons of oil, lime juice, and soy sauce. Transfer the sprouts to a serving platter and drizzle with the balsamic dressing.
You can also toss the cooked sprouts with 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar for a simpler dressing.
Deep-Frying Frozen Corn Dogs: How Long Does It Take?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
First, trim the ends of the sprouts and remove any brown outer leaves. Cut them in half, or into quarters if they are large, so that they cook evenly. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (3 minutes) and place the sprouts inside, ensuring they are spread out in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, or garlic powder if you like. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they are browned and tender.
To get the sprouts crispy, ensure they are evenly spread out in the air fryer basket. If they are piled up, they will steam instead of crisp. You can also soak the sprouts in water for 10 minutes before cooking, to make the centres more tender. However, this is optional, as some people prefer their sprouts to be firmer.
If your sprouts are different sizes, it's likely that some will burn while others are only slightly crispy. To avoid this, try to use sprouts of a similar size, and cut larger sprouts into halves or quarters. If you are doubling the recipe, you may need to add an extra minute or two to the cooking time, and give the basket an extra shake while cooking.
