Air Fryer Crispy Brussels Sprouts: Secrets To Perfection

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to cook Brussels sprouts, using an air fryer is a great option. Air fryers can help you achieve a similar level of crispiness to deep-frying, but with less oil. This method is also faster and more convenient than roasting Brussels sprouts in an oven.

To make frozen Brussels sprouts crispy in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to around 375-390°F (some recipes suggest an even higher temperature of 400°F). While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your Brussels sprouts by trimming the ends and cutting any larger ones in half. You can also add olive oil, salt, and pepper, and some recipes suggest soaking the sprouts in water for 10 minutes beforehand if you prefer a softer texture.

Once your Brussels sprouts are prepared, spread them out in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space around each piece to ensure even cooking. Cook for around 10 minutes, then flip or shake the basket to ensure even browning. Continue cooking for another 7-10 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to avoid burning.

You can serve your Brussels sprouts as they are, or add some extra flavour with toppings like Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, honey, or bacon bits.

The ideal temperature to air-fry frozen Brussels sprouts

Air-frying frozen Brussels sprouts is a quick and easy way to turn frozen vegetables into a perfect side dish. The ideal temperature to air-fry frozen Brussels sprouts is between 360°F and 390°F.

Air fryers vary in temperature, wattage, and size, so you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly. For example, if you are using a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the Brussels sprouts in two batches to ensure even cooking.

It is also important to ensure that the sprouts are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking and sogginess. Shake the basket several times throughout the cooking process to keep the air circulating and promote even crisping.

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F-390°F.
• In a separate mixing bowl, toss the frozen Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Spread the Brussels sprouts in an even layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not stacked or overcrowded.
• Air fry at 375°F-390°F for 10 minutes.
• Shake the basket to toss the Brussels sprouts and promote even cooking.
• Continue cooking for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the desired level of crispiness is achieved.
• Optionally, add your favourite toppings or garnishes, such as Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, or honey.

By following these steps and maintaining the ideal temperature, you can achieve crispy and delicious frozen Brussels sprouts using your air fryer.

How to prepare frozen Brussels sprouts for the air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen Brussels sprouts
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Optional Ingredients

• Garlic
• Balsamic vinegar
• Parmesan
• Lemon

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 375-390°F.
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the frozen Brussels sprouts, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Spread the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space around each one.
• Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness.
• If desired, serve with lemon wedges and parmesan.

Tips

• For best results, keep the Brussels sprouts frozen until you are ready to cook them.
• If your air fryer basket is overcrowded, it may take a little longer to cook the sprouts.
• If you have a basket-style air fryer, shake the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• Cooking the sprouts until they are slightly charred will bring out their caramelized flavor and reduce bitterness.

The best way to spread frozen Brussels sprouts in the air fryer

Brussels sprouts are a great vegetable to cook in the air fryer. The super-hot circulating air makes the insides tender while the outsides crisp to perfection. Here is a simple recipe to make frozen Brussels sprouts in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Frozen Brussels sprouts
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon wedges and parmesan (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat the air fryer to 380°F: Not all air fryers require preheating, but for the crispiest Brussels sprouts, it is best to start with a hot air fryer.
• Prep the Brussels sprouts: Trim the ends from the Brussels sprouts and cut any that are large in half.
• Add oil, salt, and pepper: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the frozen Brussels sprouts, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
• Spread the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket: Make sure to leave room on all sides for air circulation. Arrange the Brussels sprouts in a single layer for maximum exposure to the hot, circulating air.
• Air fry for 10 minutes: After 10 minutes, flip the Brussels sprouts over.
• Cook for an additional 7-8 minutes: You are looking for the sprouts to be brown and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
• Serve: Serve with lemon wedges and parmesan if desired.

Tips for the Best Results:

• Keep the Brussels sprouts frozen until you are ready to cook.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you are cooking more than ½ lb of sprouts, consider cooking in batches.
• Shake the basket every 5 minutes if you have a basket-style air fryer.
• Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep an eye on the sprouts during the last few minutes of cooking.

How long to air-fry frozen Brussels sprouts

The cooking time for frozen Brussels sprouts in an air fryer will depend on the desired level of crispiness and the model of the air fryer being used. For a desired level of crispiness, it is recommended to cook the sprouts for 10 minutes at 375-390°F, shake the basket, and then cook for an additional 8-10 minutes. This process may need to be adjusted depending on the model of the air fryer, with some models requiring an additional 1-2 minutes of cooking time.

It is important to note that the sprouts should be spread out in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and browning. Additionally, it is not recommended to thaw the sprouts before cooking as this may result in sogginess.

How to add flavour to frozen Brussels sprouts in the air fryer

Frozen Brussels sprouts are a great option for a quick and easy weeknight meal. In this guide, we'll show you how to add flavour to your sprouts so that they're not only crispy but also packed with taste.

Ingredients:

• Frozen Brussels sprouts
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Optional: garlic, balsamic vinegar, Parmesan cheese, lemon, red pepper flakes, honey, bacon, blue cheese, etc.

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375-390°F.
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the frozen Brussels sprouts, olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder or red pepper flakes at this stage.
• Spread the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space around each sprout for even cooking.
• Cook the sprouts for 10 minutes, then shake the basket and toss them to promote even cooking.
• Cook for another 5-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness.
• If using garlic, add it now and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes.
• Once the sprouts are crispy and cooked to your liking, it's time to add flavour! Here are some ideas:

• Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the sprouts.
• Drizzle balsamic vinegar or honey over the sprouts.
• Toss the sprouts with crumbled bacon and blue cheese dressing for a buffalo-style dish.
• Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the sprouts for a bright, tangy flavour.
• Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Enjoy your delicious and flavourful Brussels sprouts!

Tips:

• If you want softer sprouts, soak them in water for 10 minutes before cooking.
• Shake the basket frequently during cooking to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
• If your sprouts are browning too quickly, you can also try lowering the temperature by 10-20 degrees.
• If you're cooking more than half a pound of sprouts, consider cooking in batches to ensure even cooking.

Frequently asked questions