These Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts take 7 minutes to make! This recipe makes crispy, tender, flavorful sprouts that are quick and easy to make. The apple cider, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and brown sugar create a tasty blend of ingredients.
Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite vegetables. And I especially love them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. So, if that’s how you like them, this is your recipe.
Today’s post is part of a blog hop of Thanksgiving side dishes. You can view my friend’s recipes down below.
We have this side dish roundup yearly, so I’ve collected a few holiday dishes if you are interested.
- Yams Baked in Orange Sauce Recipe
- Jazz Up Canned Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Thanksgiving Salad Recipe with Cranberries
When air fryers came out, and everyone was experimenting with them, I didn’t join the bandwagon. I was late to the party since I love how my oven bakes my Brussel Sprouts.
So, I’m a bit new to air fryers and cooking with them. But I’m excited about how my air fryer Brussels sprouts turned out.
I love Brussels sprouts, and I especially like them when the leaves are baked and crispy. The air fryer achieves crispiness in only seven minutes of cooking.
Now that’s a big time saver!
Why an Air Fryer?
Less Oil
The air fryer uses less oil and still gets food crispy. I made a basket of broccoli and probably added about a tablespoon of oil. The broccoli was perfect, and the taste was terrific. It’s like the flavor was enhanced somehow.
Cooks Food Quickly
The fryer saves time. Baking my Brussels in my convect oven takes about 30-45 minutes. In my air fryer, it takes about seven minutes.
Frees up the Oven
Over the holidays, we are always cramped for oven space, so this air fryer will come in handy. It cooks the Brussel Sprouts perfectly.
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts Recipe
I’ve always roasted my Brussel Sprouts in my convection oven, so you can make it either way. If you decide to bake yours, they take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to bake at 350 degrees. In the air fryer, they take all six minutes!
Here Are The Ingredients You’ll Need
Air Fryer
Brussel Sprouts
Vegetable Oil
Maple Syrup
Brown Sugar
Garlic
Apple Cider
Balsamic Vinegar
Salt and Pepper
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Sprouts
Step 1 – Wash, Peel, and Slice Sprouts
I take off the outer Brussels Sprout leaves. Also, you can trim off the core if you like or remove it altogether.
Step 2 – Make Sauce
Add and stir the vegetable oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, garlic, apple cider, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
Step 3 – Stir and Air Fry Brussels
Mix in the Brussels to the sauce and coat them. Line your air fryer with tin foil and make a little bowl with it. Next, place sprouts and sauce in the tin foil. Fry the Brussels at 400 degrees for six minutes, shaking and stirring them at the three-minute mark.
They turn out yummy every time!
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussel Sprouts Peeled, trimmed and sliced in half.
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1-2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider or apple juice
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil You can use 1 or 2 tablespoons of oil. The more you use the richer the taste will be.
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper I love coarse or freshly ground
Instructions
- I take off the outer Brussels Sprout leaves. Also, you can trim off the core, and if you like, or remove it altogether.
- Add and stir the vegetable oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, garlic, apple cider, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
- Mix in the Brussels to the sauce and coat them.
- Line your air fryer with tin foil and make a little bowl with it. Next, place sprouts and sauce in the tin foil.
- Fry the Brussels at 400° for six minutes, shaking and stirring them at the three-minute mark.
Nutrition
Let’s Talk About Brussel Sprouts!
Bitterness
About 25 years ago, I had my first Brussel Sprout at a friend’s house. My mom had never cooked them during my childhood. So, I was shocked to find a vegetable I had never tasted served at dinner. Back then, it was bitter and had a strong taste.
Brussel sprouts have a chemical similar to phenylthiocarbamide that creates a bitter taste. Weirdly, bitterness is only present in 50% of the world’s population. So, if you have that gene that detects this bitterness, you’ll taste it.
The Whole Sprout is Edible
Yes, the whole Brussel sprout is edible. But, when my husband and I tasted each part of it, the core appears to be the bitter part. So for many years, we cut out the core to avoid the bitter taste. But, in the 1990s, they produced milder-tasting varieties of Brussel sprout since I feel the bitterness is less intense these days.
What Counters the Bitterness?
It is not entirely clear, but salt counters the bitterness. So, make sure to add some salt to your Brussels. I also add maple syrup and brown sugar to hide the bitterness, and I think it does a great job.
Is it Best to Buy Small or Large Brussels?
Small is best. The larger ones tend to be old and bitter (that’s not true of people. :)) I also heard that if you can buy them still on the stock, they are fresher and less bitter.
My Air Fryer
I bought the Ninja Air Fryer. I borrowed my friend Francie’s air fryer (Cosori), and I loved it. But, I wanted the Ninja because it has a dehydrating function that mostly comes in high-end air fryers.
The option that the Cosori had was chicken wings. You choose that button, and it automatically cooks your chicken to perfection. The Ninja doesn’t have different settings and buttons, but so far, I love it.
We always make roasted Brussel Sprouts for Thanksgiving, and this year, they won’t be taking up precious space in our oven. I am excited to make them in my new air fryer.
Happy Thanksgiving!
PS: I conducted a test and cooked two batches of Brussels. One without lining the air fryer basket with tin foil, so the sprouts are baked dry without the sauce. I lined the basket with foil and the Brussels cooked in their sauce for the other batch. Well, the sauce version won, hands down! It was juice, crispy, and not very bitter!
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Annie Diamond
Janine! These looks so good. And only 7 minutes! Can you believe I still don’t have an air fryer? I need to change that!
Pasha is Home
Oh my gosh – these look amazing Janine!! I might even bite the bullet and buy an air fryer now too!!
Jennifer Hadfield
Oh my goodness, Janine! These look so good! My kids love brussel sprouts but Ive never made them in an air fryer. I can’t wait to try! I pinned it to my Thanksgiving board to share 🙂
xoxo