Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts: Golden, Crispy, Delicious

Air fryers are a great way to cook Brussels sprouts, making them crispy and slightly caramelised. The cooking time is also cut in half compared to using an oven. The basic recipe involves coating the sprouts in olive oil and seasoning them with salt and pepper, before frying them for around 10-15 minutes at 375-400°F. However, there are many ways to adapt the recipe to your taste, including adding garlic, balsamic vinegar, bacon, honey, maple syrup, mustard, or parmesan.

Prepping the sprouts: trim, halve or quarter them, and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper

Preparing the sprouts is a simple process, but it's important to get it right to ensure the best results. Start by trimming the ends from all of the Brussels sprouts. If you have any large sprouts, cut them in half or even quarters to ensure even cooking. Smaller sprouts can be left whole. The idea is to have sprouts of roughly uniform size, so they cook at the same rate.

Once trimmed and cut, toss the sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings at this stage, such as garlic powder or freshly minced garlic. The oil will help the sprouts crisp up in the air fryer, so make sure each one is well-coated. Don't be afraid to use a little more oil if needed!

Air fryer settings: heat to 375-400°F, and cook for 10-15 minutes

Now that you've prepped your Brussels sprouts, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Here are some detailed instructions on the settings to use and what to do:

Air Fryer Settings

Heat your air fryer to between 375°F and 400°F. Not all air fryers require preheating, but it's best to start with a hot air fryer for the crispiest Brussels sprouts. Aim for a temperature of around 375°F, which is perfect for air-frying Brussels sprouts without burning them.

Cooking Time

Once your air fryer is heated, place your prepped Brussels sprouts in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. This arrangement will give them maximum exposure to the hot, circulating air.

Cook the sprouts for around 10-15 minutes at this temperature. Keep an eye on them and shake or rotate the basket a few times throughout the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning.

Doneness

Your Brussels sprouts are done when they are deeply crisp and golden brown. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your air fryer model and the size of your sprouts.

Tips for Success

• Halve any large Brussels sprouts to ensure even cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary.
• Finish with a drizzle of shallot butter or another glaze for extra flavour (optional).

Final Thoughts

Air-frying Brussels sprouts is a quick and easy way to cook them to crispy perfection. With these settings and tips, you'll be able to achieve delicious, restaurant-style results right in your own kitchen. Enjoy!

Soaking: for a softer centre, soak sprouts in water for 10 minutes before air frying

Soaking your Brussels sprouts in water for 10 minutes before air frying is a great way to ensure a softer centre. This technique is especially useful if you prefer your sprouts on the softer side, as the soak will tenderise them without making them soggy.

To do this, simply place your sprouts in a large bowl and cover them with warm tap water. Let them sit for about 10 minutes, then drain and lightly pat them dry with a towel. From here, you can proceed with your recipe as usual, adding oil, salt, and any other desired seasonings before placing them in the air fryer.

It's worth noting that this step is optional. If you prefer your Brussels sprouts to have a firmer texture, you can skip the soaking step. However, if you're looking for a softer, more tender centre, giving them a quick soak is a great way to achieve that desired texture.

Seasoning: add flavour with garlic, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, or a buttery glaze

Seasoning is key to adding flavour to your Brussels sprouts, and there are many ways to do so.

Firstly, you can add garlic to your sprouts. In the air fryer, garlic turns into pungent golden chips, adding a scrumptious, sharp kick to your sprouts. You can use fresh garlic, thinly sliced, or garlic powder.

Next, balsamic vinegar is a great way to add a tangy, sweet kick to your sprouts. You can simmer the vinegar in a saucepan until it thickens, then whisk in olive oil, lime juice, and soy sauce. Drizzle this over your sprouts for a delicious dressing.

Speaking of soy sauce, this is another way to add a savoury, salty, umami flavour to your sprouts. You can add it to your balsamic reduction, or sprinkle it directly onto your sprouts.

Finally, for a buttery glaze, you can add a drizzle of honey to your sprouts. This will add a sweet finish to your sprouts, and you can even add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a sweet and spicy variation.

Storage: refrigerate sprouts in an airtight container for up to 4 days

Storing your air-fried Brussels sprouts is simple. Just place them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge, where they will stay good for up to four days.

If you want to reheat your sprouts, you can do so in the oven or in the air fryer at 350°F.

You can also freeze your sprouts, but be warned: they will get mushy once thawed. If you still want to go ahead and freeze them, use an airtight freezer-safe container and they will stay good for up to three months. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Frequently asked questions