These crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts are an easy side dish made with Parmesan cheese, garlic and simple seasonings. The air fryer gets the edges golden and crispy while keeping the centers tender.
They're quick enough for a weeknight dinner and pair easily with chicken, pork, steak or just about any main dish.
Recipe Ingredients 👇👇
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts - washed, stems removed, and sliced in half.
- 3 Tbsp olive oil - or vegetable oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp ground black pepper - to taste
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese - optional
Step-By-Step Instructions 👇👇
STEP 1: Prep Brussels Sprouts
Wash 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trim the stems and slice each one in half. Pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel to help them crisp in the air fryer.
STEP 2: Season
Add the Brussels sprouts to a large bowl with 3 Tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp black pepper and ¼ tsp salt. Add 3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, if using. Toss everything together until evenly coated.
STEP 3: Air Fry
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 2 minutes. Add the Brussels sprouts to the basket and air fry for 7 minutes.
STEP 4: Shake and Finish
Shake the air fryer basket, then cook for another 7-10 minutes at 350°F, or until the Brussels sprouts are fork-tender with golden, crispy edges. Serve immediately.
Tips For Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Dry them well. Excess water can cause the Brussels sprouts to steam instead of crisp. Pat them dry before adding the oil and seasonings.
- Don't overcrowd the basket. Give the Brussels sprouts enough room for the hot air to circulate around them. If you have a smaller air fryer, cook them in batches.
- Shake halfway through. This helps expose different sides to the hot circulating air so they brown more evenly.
- Watch them near the end. Air fryers can cook differently, and the loose outer leaves can become crispy quickly. Start checking during the last few minutes.
How To Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate - Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They will lose their crispiness over time but can be reheated back in the air fryer.
- To Reheat - Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-10 minutes, or until the Brussels sprouts are warmed through and the edges are crispy.
"Help! My Brussels Sprouts Are Still Hard On The Inside! What Do I Do?"
If your Brussels sprouts are crispy outside but still too firm inside, they need a little more time to cook through. Try cooking them at a lower temperature first so the centers have time to soften.
Cook at 325°F for 7-10 minutes, or until the Brussels sprouts are almost fork-tender. Increase the temperature to 350°F and cook for another 2-4 minutes to crisp up the edges.
Keep an eye on them near the end since the outer leaves can brown quickly. Air fryers also vary, so you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly for yours.
What To Serve With
These are an easy side dish for weeknight dinners, holiday meals or whenever you need a quick vegetable.
Try them with roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, steak, salmon, meatloaf or other simple dinner recipes. They also work well alongside mashed potatoes, rice or another favorite side dish.
If the outside is crispy but the center is too firm, cook them a little longer at a lower temperature. Try 325°F for 7-10 minutes, then increase to 350°F for 2-4 minutes to crisp the edges.
Make sure the Brussels sprouts are completely dry before adding the oil and don't overcrowd the basket. Too much moisture or crowding can cause them to steam instead of crisp.
For this recipe, I recommend preheating at 350°F for 2 minutes. This gets the basket hot before the Brussels sprouts go in and helps them start cooking right away.
Fresh Brussels sprouts work best for this recipe because they get crispier. Frozen Brussels sprouts contain more moisture, so the texture will be softer.
No. There's no need to boil or blanch them first. Cutting the Brussels sprouts in half helps the centers cook through while the outside gets crispy.
They're ready when the centers are fork-tender and the cut sides and outer leaves are golden and crispy. Since air fryers vary, start checking them toward the end of the cooking time.
