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    Home » Simple Vegan Recipes » Air Fryer Recipes

    Easy air fryer Brussels sprouts (with or without oil)

    Last Modified: Apr 19, 2022 by Becky Striepe

    Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Privacy Policy for more details.

    Recipe Video Print
    air fryer brussels sprouts in a serving bowl

    Perfect, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside air fryer Brussels sprouts are easy to make and delicious, with or without oil.

    serving dish of air fryer Brussels sprouts on a marble tabletop

    This easy Brussels sprouts recipe is one of my favorite ways to use my air fryer! Brussels sprouts cook up like a dream in the air fryer in half the time that it takes to roast them in the oven.

    Jump To:
    • Tips for perfectly crispy results
    • Do you need to soak them before cooking?
    • Halving or multiplying the recipe
    • How to make Brussels sprouts in the air fryer
    • How to make them oil-free
    • How to serve
    • How to store them
    • Air fryer Brussels sprouts recipe

    Tips for perfectly crispy results

    You have some options when you're making this recipe, and this section includes tips on how to get the best results.

    To make perfect air fryer Brussels sprouts, it's crucial that you slice your sprouts into ¼" thick pieces. This thin width helps them cook faster and increases surface area, which lets them get even crispier on the outside.

    bowl of sliced Brussels sprouts on a marble tabletop

    Do you need to soak them before cooking?

    You have the option to soak your Brussels sprouts before you cook them in your air fryer.

    If you prefer softer Brussels sprouts, soak the slices in water for 10 minutes. Then, drain them, pat them dry, and proceed with the recipe below.

    Because Brussels sprouts have so many layers, soaking gets water inside the veggies, so they are basically steaming as they air fry, softening the middles more.

    Whether you need to soak or not is up to you! I prefer a bit more texture, so I usually skip the soaking.

    Halving or multiplying the recipe

    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 1-2 minutes at a time, shaking each time you stop, until they're all cooked through.

    uncooked Brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket

    How to make Brussels sprouts in the air fryer

    Like I said above, this is my absolute favorite way to make Brussels sprouts! It's fast and flavorful, and the texture is perfection.

    Measure out two cups of the sliced Brussels. You can opt to soak them in water for 10 minutes at this point, if you want them softer. If you soak, just drain them and pat them dry with a paper towel before seasoning and cooking.

    Now, toss them with oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt, making sure all of the Brussels sprouts get coated in the seasonings.

    Air fry, shaking once, and you've got perfect Brussels sprouts in under 15 minutes!

    How to make them oil-free

    I see you, oil-free friends! You can make these Brussels sprouts oil-free with just one small tweak.

    When I first shared that I was working on this recipe on Instagram, someone asked about ditching the oil, so I tested an oil free version for you, as well.

    It's easy!  Just replace the tablespoon of oil with a tablespoon of maple syrup, and you're in business.

    I can't promise that oil free air fryer Brussels sprouts will be exactly as crispy as if you use oil, but I can guarantee that they will be delicious.

    cooked Brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket

    How to serve

    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 them out 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 these crispy 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.

    How to store them

    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!

    serving dish of air fryer brussels sprouts on a marble tabletop

    Air fryer Brussels sprouts recipe

    Perfect, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside air fryer Brussels sprouts are easy to make and delicious, with or without oil.
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    4.94 from 15 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Air Fryer, Vegan
    Keyword: air fried brussels sprouts, air fryer brussels sprouts
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 107kcal
    Author: Becky Striepe

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups Brussels sprouts - sliced lengthwise into ¼" thick pieces (see notes)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil OR maple syrup - See note.
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions

    • In a bowl, toss together the Brussels, oil or maple syrup, vinegar, and salt.
    • Cook at 400F for 8-10 minutes, shaking (and checking their progress) after 5 minutes and then at 8 the minute mark. You're going for crispy and browned, but not burnt!

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Video

    Notes

    I can't stress enough how important it is to get ¼" thick pieces. Thicker slices will not cook fully. Slice the sprouts lengthwise. Depending on the size of your Brussels sprouts, that might mean cutting them in half, thirds, or more. 
    If you prefer softer Brussels sprouts, soak the slices in water for 10 minutes. Then, drain them, pat them dry, season them, and proceed with the recipe.
    Use maple syrup for an oil free option. Just note that if you ditch the oil, the finished product won't be quite as crispy as the version with oil. But it's still delicious!
    Calorie count is for the recipe with oil, because it's my favorite way to make these!
    Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can serve leftovers warm or cold.
    To reheat, either pop them into the microwave or the air fryer. In the air fryer, reheat these at 350° F for 5-7 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Air fryer Brussels sprouts recipe
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    107
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    7
    g
    11
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    5
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    Sodium
     
    315
    mg
    13
    %
    Potassium
     
    351
    mg
    10
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    9
    g
    3
    %
    Fiber
     
    3
    g
    12
    %
    Sugar
     
    3
    g
    3
    %
    Protein
     
    3
    g
    6
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    664
    IU
    13
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    75
    mg
    91
    %
    Calcium
     
    39
    mg
    4
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    About Becky Striepe

    Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

    Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

    Learn more about me >>>

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jelmer

      December 23, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      5 stars
      Really yummy

      Reply
    2. Maria

      May 02, 2022 at 6:38 pm

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        May 03, 2022 at 1:31 pm

        You are very welcome, Maria! Thank you for coming back to rate and leave such a lovely comment.

        Reply
    3. Harold Burton

      June 19, 2021 at 1:13 am

      5 stars
      I’m always looking for lighter chicken recipes. This looks like a good one to try!

      Harold Burton

      Reply
    4. Dingo35

      March 02, 2020 at 5:34 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        March 02, 2020 at 7:52 pm

        Oh I bet they cook up so quickly that way!

        Reply
      • Jane

        May 09, 2021 at 11:46 am

        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.

        Reply
    5. Rose Martine

      February 06, 2020 at 6:07 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        February 06, 2020 at 1:18 pm

        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!

        Reply
    6. Rená

      January 04, 2020 at 9:13 pm

      5 stars
      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?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        January 05, 2020 at 4:18 pm

        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

        Reply
    7. Kristen Novak

      August 12, 2019 at 6:04 pm

      Do you preheat the air fryer to 400?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 13, 2019 at 8:16 am

        I never preheat my air fryer.

        Reply
    8. Jennifer

      August 04, 2019 at 9:33 am

      Has anyone tried it without the balsamic and used a different kind of vinegar I’m allergic to balsamic but this recipe sounds awesome

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        August 05, 2019 at 11:11 am

        I think rice vinegar would work great in place of the balsamic!

        Reply
      • Angie

        June 19, 2020 at 9:43 pm

        I used just regular white vinegar and its delicious! However, I put my air fryer on 360 and it was too high

        Reply
        • Becky Striepe

          June 20, 2020 at 4:16 pm

          Oh interesting! What sort of air fryer do you have?

          Reply
    9. Anonymous

      July 30, 2019 at 10:32 am

      I added a hint of sesame seed oil and a few sesame seeds as well tasted delish ??

      Reply
    10. Syd

      July 15, 2019 at 6:47 pm

      5 stars
      Very tasty! I added bacon for an extra meaty goodness

      Reply
    11. Kevin

      April 20, 2019 at 8:17 pm

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        April 21, 2019 at 11:01 am

        Enjoy it, and have fun mixing up the flavors!

        Reply
    12. Alan

      March 22, 2019 at 8:23 am

      Can you use frozen spirits?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        March 22, 2019 at 11:05 am

        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!

        Reply
    13. Annissa G

      March 11, 2019 at 9:09 pm

      5 stars
      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:)

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        March 12, 2019 at 9:56 am

        What a great idea! I love tahini, too.

        Reply
    14. Megan

      February 09, 2019 at 10:58 am

      This is my go-to Brussels sprouts recipe! I make it exactly as written and I love it. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        February 11, 2019 at 9:32 am

        I'm so glad to hear it, Megan! Enjoy those sprouts! :D

        Reply
    15. Anonymous

      January 22, 2019 at 7:19 pm

      5 stars
      Worked perfectly! Thank you!

      Reply
    16. Julie

      January 18, 2019 at 5:23 pm

      5 stars
      Needs about 5 minutes longer but very good flavor and crispy!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        January 19, 2019 at 8:47 am

        Thank you for taking the time to comment on and rate the recipe, Julie. I'm glad you dug it!

        Reply
    17. Tish Davis

      January 16, 2019 at 8:00 pm

      5 stars
      These came out perfect!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        January 19, 2019 at 8:49 am

        Thank you so much, Tish! And thank you for taking the time to comment and rate!

        Reply
    18. Michelle Lyons

      January 09, 2019 at 4:37 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! I bought halved sprouts from Walmart and followed the recipe to a T. Cooked for 8 min shaking them at 4min mark.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        January 09, 2019 at 8:41 pm

        Thank you, Michelle! I'm so glad you enjoyed them. Your comment is making me crave Brussels! :D

        Reply
    19. Adrienne

      January 08, 2019 at 5:40 pm

      I have not done this yet and before I do I want to know when do you wash them?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        January 09, 2019 at 12:11 pm

        Wash before you start everything.

        Reply
        • Anks

          March 19, 2019 at 1:57 am

          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 .

          Reply
          • Becky Striepe

            March 19, 2019 at 8:02 am

            Oh I love that! Welcome, Brussels sprouts convert!

            Reply
    20. Francine

      December 20, 2018 at 9:47 am

      After reading several comments, I wonder if branching the sprouts for three minutes would help. I will try and post the results.

      Reply
    21. Michelle LCHF

      December 05, 2017 at 7:33 pm

      4 stars
      I just did it with the bag of SHAVED brussel sprouts they were awesome..
      Followed the recipe the rest of the way.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        December 05, 2017 at 7:54 pm

        What a great idea! I bet they were super crispy!

        Reply
    22. Jennifer

      October 22, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      These air fryer recipes look deelish! I don't have an air fryer. Which one do y'all recommend?

      Reply
      • Jean

        December 30, 2017 at 7:03 pm

        5 stars
        I have a Phillips air fryer and live it! I literally use it every day!

        Reply
        • Becky Striepe

          December 30, 2017 at 7:04 pm

          Which model do you have?

          Reply
      • Melissa

        April 09, 2018 at 10:37 am

        Big Boss. I love it.

        Reply
        • Lisa

          February 25, 2019 at 8:58 pm

          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!!

          Reply
    23. Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day

      May 02, 2017 at 5:49 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        May 02, 2017 at 6:10 pm

        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!

        Reply
    24. Cindi

      April 13, 2017 at 9:15 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        April 13, 2017 at 9:21 pm

        Ooh adding whole garlic cloves sounds great. I'm glad you dug this dish!

        Reply
    25. Stephen

      March 23, 2017 at 7:39 pm

      mine got burnt around 8 minutes but the sprouts themselves weren't cooked through (too tough). any suggestions?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        March 23, 2017 at 8:22 pm

        Interesting. And you sliced them in half? If they were really big, maybe try slicing into thirds!

        Reply
        • Stephen

          March 23, 2017 at 11:46 pm

          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.

          Reply
          • Becky Striepe

            March 24, 2017 at 8:09 am

            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?

            Reply
            • Stephen

              March 24, 2017 at 8:35 pm

              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

              March 24, 2017 at 8:42 pm

              Ooh yeah. Less in the cooker sometimes does mean it cooks faster.

      • Leslie Ng

        June 20, 2017 at 7:34 pm

        Anyone try microwaving the sprouts to cook the middle then transferring to the air-fryer? Do you think that would work?

        Reply
        • Vickie Lopez

          July 11, 2017 at 12:51 am

          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.

          Reply
          • Anonymous

            June 29, 2018 at 5:05 pm

            Mine also were burning at 9 minutes and still hard. Will throw them in microwave even though I’ll lose the crunch.

            Reply
            • Becky Striepe

              July 02, 2018 at 7:48 am

              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

          January 16, 2019 at 11:21 am

          5 stars
          I try to avoid microwaving vegetables since the nutrients get damaged
          In the microwaves.

          Reply
      • Tessa

        September 29, 2019 at 1:04 pm

        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

        Reply
        • Becky Striepe

          September 30, 2019 at 10:35 am

          Enjoy them!

          Reply
    26. JoAnne Mc

      February 17, 2017 at 4:56 pm

      How would these cook using frozen Brussels Sprouts? The fresh ones aren't always in season but we sways have frozen veggies on hand.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        February 17, 2017 at 6:01 pm

        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.

        Reply
    27. cakespy

      January 07, 2017 at 10:18 am

      Oh my god. These are amazing! The perfect texture and "char". I love brussels sprouts!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        January 07, 2017 at 11:04 am

        I'm so glad to hear it! They're my new favorite side dish for sure!

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. 150 Best Air Fryer Recipes - Prudent Penny Pincher says:
      December 26, 2018 at 11:41 am

      […] Perfect Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts from Glue & Glitter […]

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    Hi! My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”). I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here. → READ MORE

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