Air fryer Brussels sprouts with maple syrup and balsamic are quick and easy to make! They're crisp on the outside, tender on the inside perfection.
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Brussels sprouts cook up like a dream in the air fryer in half the time that it takes to roast them in the oven. And these smashed Brussels sprouts are absolutely incredible!
You boil them until they get tender and soft, then smash them and air fry.
The results are amazing. Crisp outside, tender inside, and so delicious.
Want to make this a meal? Check out my air fryer sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts. It uses air fryer Brussels sprouts as the base recipe and adds tender sweet potato, your whole grain of choice, and lemon tahini sauce for a quick lunch or dinner that's super satisfying.
I'm seasoning these Brussels sprouts with maple syrup and balsamic vinegar. If maple and balsamic isn't your jam, no worries! You can season your air fryer Brussels sprouts however you like. Keep it simple with salt and black pepper or toss in dried herbs and spices like rosemary, Italian seasoning, or smoked paprika.
If you love Brussels sprouts, also check out my warm Brussels sprouts salad and Instant Pot Brussels sprouts! And for more air fryer sides, try my air fryer zucchini and air fryer hush puppies!
✓ Ingredients
- Brussels sprouts - Trim off the woody ends.
- maple syrup - Brings out the sweetness in the balsamic and adds moisture.
- olive oil - Helps them crisp up in the air fryer. You can use extra maple syrup instead for an oil-free version.
- balsamic vinegar - Adds acidity, moisture, and flavor.
- salt - Brings out all of the flavors and helps the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer get nice and browned.
💡 Tips for the best Brussels sprouts
- Make sure that the Brussels sprouts are tender all the way through before you smash and air fry them. They shouldn't be mushy, but a fork should slide into the largest sprout easily.
- Spreading out the Brussels sprouts in the basket is crucial, so that they will cook evenly.
- It's fine to cook any leaves that come off when you trim the stems. Some of them will burn, but some of them come out AMAZING!
🥣 How to make Brussels sprouts in the air fryer
- Trim the ends off of your Brussels sprouts.
- Boil until fork tender but not mushy, then drain.
- Plunge into ice water, then drain again.
- Pat them dry.
- Smash!
- Toss with all of the seasonings.
- Transfer to the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400°F until crisp.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Serve these up as a side dish with your favorite plant-based protein and a starch. They're terrific with BBQ Tofu and my cauliflower mashed potatoes or with beans and rice or quinoa.
Need to add some oomph to your next salad? Air fryer Brussels sprouts to the rescue! Check out a similar method in this warm Brussels sprout salad.
I've also been tossing them with cooked pasta, a bit of olive oil, and sautéed peppers and onions for a quick, easy, and freaking delicious pasta dish. Even my kid loves it! "Dad! Try this pasta! It's SO GOOD!" he said. And my heart grew three sizes.
You can also pile crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts on top of a grain bowl, if that's more your speed. Start with quinoa, rice, or any other whole grain. Then add beans, tofu, or nuts/seeds. I like to top off this kind of bowl with a great sauce, like my blender coconut curry sauce.
🫙 Storage directions
If you do have any leftovers, they will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days. You can serve leftovers warm or cold.
To reheat, either pop them into the microwave or the air fryer. In the air fryer, you can reheat these at 350° F for five to seven minutes, and they'll get crispy again!
💬 Frequently asked questions
I have seen recommendations to soak Brussels sprouts before air frying for softer results, but that hasn't been as effective as I'd hoped.
If you really want soft, tender sprouts, you need to blanch or preboil them. Cook in boiling water until tender, then immediately drain and plunge into ice water. This will soften them, so they air fry to perfection!
This recipe serves two people. If you want to make Brussels sprouts for one in your air fryer, you can halve this recipe with no problems. It works like a charm! Your Brussels may cook more quickly in a less-crowded basket, so just keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of cooking.
You can also double the recipe and still cook everything up in one batch, but if you want to make more than twice as many, I'd definitely do this in batches.
If you crowd your Brussels sprouts in the basket, the ones in the middle won't get crispy. Because a crowded basket can hinder air circulation, doubling the recipe may mean it takes longer to cook.
If the Brussels sprouts in the middle of the basket aren't to your liking when doubling this recipe, give the basket a thorough shake. Then, cook for 1 to 2 minutes at a time, shaking each time you stop, until they're all nicely browned and crisp.
I see you, oil-free friends! You can make these Brussels sprouts oil-free with just one small tweak: replace the tablespoon of oil with a tablespoon of maple syrup, and you're in business.
♨️ More air fryer vegetables
📖 Recipe
Smashed Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups Brussels sprouts Trim off the woody ends.
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil omit for oil-free
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt or more, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to boil and add the Brussels sprouts. Boil for 8 to 12 minutes, until they're fork tender, then plunge into a bowl of ice water and drain them. Pour onto a clean kitchen towel or some paper towels and pat dry. The cooking time will depend on the size of your sprouts. Itty bitty ones will take less time, and big boys will take more. You want them tender but not mushy. Larger sprouts might even need more than 12 minutes. You should be able to easily slide a fork into it.
- Transfer the Brussels sprouts to a cutting board, plate, or baking sheet, and use a pint glass to smash them flat.
- In a bowl, toss together the smashed Brussels sprouts, oil and/or maple syrup, vinegar, and salt. Make sure to coat them really well.
- Spread the Brussels sprouts out in your air fryer basket, and cook at 400° F for 8 to 12 minutes, shaking (and checking their progress) at the 8-minute and 10-minute marks. You're going for crispy and browned, but not burnt! Your air fryer Brussels sprouts are ready when they're crisped to your preference. The variation in cooking time depends on your Brussels sprouts, your air fryer, and how crisp you want them. Some air fryers or Brussels sprouts might even need longer than 12 minutes, so check in and add time, if needed.
Jelmer
Really yummy
Maria
I made these yesterday as I had some brussels sprouts I wanted to use up. Easy recipe. I used maple syrup in place of the olive oil. We ate them as a snack watching a movie. Great! I will definitely be making these again.
I have a philips air fryer and cooked them for 8 min.
Clean up was really easy too.
Thanks for the recipe
Becky Striepe
You are very welcome, Maria! Thank you for coming back to rate and leave such a lovely comment.
Louise Marshall
I have a Cuisinart air fryer , will Brussel sprouts work well in that
Becky Striepe
Yes, it should! Different air fryers can cook faster or more slowly, so you just may need to adjust cooking time from brand to brand.
Harold Burton
I’m always looking for lighter chicken recipes. This looks like a good one to try!
Harold Burton
Dingo35
I love brussels in the air fryer. I do put mine in the Instant Pot first on Manual and press 0, Quick release. Perfect when browned in the Air Fryer. Crunch outside, just perfect texture inside!
Becky Striepe
Oh I bet they cook up so quickly that way!
Jane
I’ll have to try this because I made the recipe as directed and the sprouts were too hard for my liking inside, even after six frying for another 5 minutes, which got the crispy bits too burnt and ruined the whole thing. And yes, I did slice in 1/4 pieces. Seems to me you have to cook the sprouts a little first or they don’t get done.
Rose Martine
This recipe looks awesome!!! Since I don’t use grain flour, do you think almond or coconut flour would work well as a substitute? Thanks!
Becky Striepe
I haven't tested it with either of those, so I can't say for certain. Let me know how they work, if you give it a try!
Rená
Question! Do you have a spot on your site where you have other frozen fake meats (Gardein) items that you make in the air fryer?
Becky Striepe
I don't have a post on making frozen vegan meats, but I do have a YouTube video on cooking frozen food like that in the air fryer. Here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruOR5s3zH6I&t=70s
Kristen Novak
Do you preheat the air fryer to 400?
Becky Striepe
I never preheat my air fryer.
Jennifer
Has anyone tried it without the balsamic and used a different kind of vinegar I’m allergic to balsamic but this recipe sounds awesome
Becky Striepe
I think rice vinegar would work great in place of the balsamic!
Angie
I used just regular white vinegar and its delicious! However, I put my air fryer on 360 and it was too high
Becky Striepe
Oh interesting! What sort of air fryer do you have?
Anonymous
I added a hint of sesame seed oil and a few sesame seeds as well tasted delish ??
Syd
Very tasty! I added bacon for an extra meaty goodness
Kevin
Perfect! And delicious. This will be my go-to Sprouts recipe from now on. I am going to try a few of the things other commenters mentioned, such as the garlic
Becky Striepe
Enjoy it, and have fun mixing up the flavors!
Alan
Can you use frozen spirits?
Becky Striepe
I haven't tried with frozen, but I have done frozen cauliflower and okta in the air fryer with great success, so I don't see why not. If you do it definitely report back!
Annissa G
I added a touch of tahini to this just because I love my plant fats! Really good, even though I did burn mine a little. Thank you so much for this recipe:)
Becky Striepe
What a great idea! I love tahini, too.
Megan
This is my go-to Brussels sprouts recipe! I make it exactly as written and I love it. Thank you!
Becky Striepe
I'm so glad to hear it, Megan! Enjoy those sprouts! :D
Anonymous
Worked perfectly! Thank you!
Julie
Needs about 5 minutes longer but very good flavor and crispy!
Becky Striepe
Thank you for taking the time to comment on and rate the recipe, Julie. I'm glad you dug it!
Tish Davis
These came out perfect!
Becky Striepe
Thank you so much, Tish! And thank you for taking the time to comment and rate!
Michelle Lyons
Absolutely delicious! I bought halved sprouts from Walmart and followed the recipe to a T. Cooked for 8 min shaking them at 4min mark.
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Michelle! I'm so glad you enjoyed them. Your comment is making me crave Brussels! :D
Adrienne
I have not done this yet and before I do I want to know when do you wash them?
Becky Striepe
Wash before you start everything.
Anks
I tried Brussel sprouts a couple of time in past but never liked them but ,.... Made them with oil, followed your recipe and absolutely love them. Thanks for sharing .
Becky Striepe
Oh I love that! Welcome, Brussels sprouts convert!
Francine
After reading several comments, I wonder if branching the sprouts for three minutes would help. I will try and post the results.
Michelle LCHF
I just did it with the bag of SHAVED brussel sprouts they were awesome..
Followed the recipe the rest of the way.
Becky Striepe
What a great idea! I bet they were super crispy!
Jennifer
These air fryer recipes look deelish! I don't have an air fryer. Which one do y'all recommend?
Jean
I have a Phillips air fryer and live it! I literally use it every day!
Becky Striepe
Which model do you have?
Melissa
Big Boss. I love it.
Lisa
I have a Big Boss as well!! I love it!! My boyfriend has a Phillips, but the Noss is so much better!! And you can do an entire chicken in it!! Great Brussels!!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I still need to try making this recipe! We usually have Brussels Sprouts at Thanksgiving, so I think it will be awesome to cook everything in the air fryer and Instant Pot. People will be so amazed!
Becky Striepe
You'll love it! We do a Field Roast with root veggies in the IP for holidays, and I love the idea of air fryer Brussels to go with!
Cindi
This was really good! I might try frying at a slightly lower temp for slightly longer, as the middles were still (barely) on the tough side. My maple syrup wasn't looking too fresh, so I used honey instead... And then I had a bunch of left over garlic from the main....so I stuck the whole cloves in with the sprouts....So good its almost wrong for something that healthy to be so yummy!
Becky Striepe
Ooh adding whole garlic cloves sounds great. I'm glad you dug this dish!
Stephen
mine got burnt around 8 minutes but the sprouts themselves weren't cooked through (too tough). any suggestions?
Becky Striepe
Interesting. And you sliced them in half? If they were really big, maybe try slicing into thirds!
Stephen
They were big so I sliced them in half and then in half again. The only thing I didn't mention early is that I only used 1 tsp instead of a tablespoon. I wonder if not enough oiled caused them to burn; I tried googling but didn't find anything on that.
Becky Striepe
Hmm. So I'd say slicing in quarters might be part of the problem, but it should work with less oil if you follow the no oil directions. If you cut the oil, you need to up the other liquid. Did you do that?
Stephen
I did 1 tsp of oil and 1 tsp of vinegar before. Was a smaller serving size as it is just me. Will try again only doing halves with more oil.
Do you think the amount of brussels sprouts in there affects cooking? As I'm experimenting I'm not eager to have an entire pound go bad.
Becky Striepe
Ooh yeah. Less in the cooker sometimes does mean it cooks faster.
Leslie Ng
Anyone try microwaving the sprouts to cook the middle then transferring to the air-fryer? Do you think that would work?
Vickie Lopez
I was wondering the same thing! I air fried my brussels sprouts and while they were crisp and tasty, the insides were still a bit chewy and not as soft as I'd like. I'm going to try microwaving them for a few minutes before I try this again. When I roast them in the oven or stir fry them, I usually microwave them for about 3-4 minutes first and they come out perfect.
Anonymous
Mine also were burning at 9 minutes and still hard. Will throw them in microwave even though I’ll lose the crunch.
Becky Striepe
I'm sorry to hear that! If you have bigger sprouts, slicing into thirds instead of halves has been very effective for me. Sprouts can vary so much in size!
Karen Johnson
I try to avoid microwaving vegetables since the nutrients get damaged
In the microwaves.
Tessa
Just found this recipe so am going to try it today , after reading the comments I think I will steam my sprouts for about 10 min then toss in oil etc and air fry. I’ll update how it turns out
Becky Striepe
Enjoy them!
JoAnne Mc
How would these cook using frozen Brussels Sprouts? The fresh ones aren't always in season but we sways have frozen veggies on hand.
Becky Striepe
That's a good question! I haven't tried this using frozen. If you do it, let me know what happens! They'd definitely cook, but not sure about whether you'd have to adjust the time or about how crispy the results would be.
cakespy
Oh my god. These are amazing! The perfect texture and "char". I love brussels sprouts!
Becky Striepe
I'm so glad to hear it! They're my new favorite side dish for sure!