Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts is one of the best ways to enjoy a side of low-carb vegetables. The crispy seasoned exteriors of each brussel sprout are totally addictive - not firm but not over soft on the inside! Serve these tasty veggies with my homemade and healthy chipotle aioli.
If that wasn’t enough, I’ve also combined these crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts with salty crispy bacon and freshly grated Parmesan just like in my Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes.
These sprouts are so quick and easy side dish recipe for any meat or vegan main course.
In fact, they’re so good, you may even find yourself eating them straight from the serving bowl!
Learn how to make the best air fryer Brussels sprouts for your holiday menu. You'll want to make these green veggies again because they are total nutritional powerhouse foods!
There is a skip-to-recipe button in the top left corner along with a clickable table of contents list (just below) that will quickly take you to the part you are more interested in. Enjoy!
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⭐Don’t miss my other air fryer recipes! Crispy Sweet Potato Fries, classic cheesy French Fries, or Jalapeno Poppers
Why It's Yummy
- This is a quick low-carb recipe to start using as a way to add more vegetables to every meal. Even the pickiest of eaters will love it!
- This serves well with almost anything. It’s simple enough to add to an easy midweek family meal but also looks sophisticated enough for holidays and special occasions.
- These air-fryer Brussels sprouts are great as a low-carb or keto-friendly vegetable option to help you stick to your dietary and health goals without compromising on taste.
- Love these, make these Air Fryer Cauliflower next!
Ingredients
My few comments on the ingredients + don't forget to read the Tips section!
The full recipe and ingredients can be found in the recipe card below this post.
- Brussels sprouts - you’ll need 1 pound of Brussels sprouts, washed and trimmed. If you have larger-sized sprouts, simply cut them in half.
- Oil - I’ve used olive oil to coat the Brussels sprouts with seasoning as I enjoy the taste but you could also use vegetable oil or even an unscented coconut oil instead if you wish.
- Bacon - cooked to crispy pieces. While this is completely optional, it’s a great addition to the dish, especially if you plan on serving this during a holiday or special event.
- Parmesan - grate the Parmesan from a block, don’t use pre-shredded Parmesan for this recipe. Keep extra on the side for garnish.
- Onion powder - this provides a depth of flavor that’ll make you come back for more! Keep it simple!
- Garlic - make sure to use 1 fresh clove of garlic, minced. This will provide a much deeper flavor than using garlic powder. Garlic should be added in the end along with the parmesan cheese to prevent over frying.
Equipment
- 5.8 quart Air Fryer Cosori - one of the great air fryers on the market at the moment. It's not small and not an overly big air fryer which is great for any kind of dish. You can air fry just for two people or make a 5 portion side dish using this basket. To keep your air fryer basket going use parchment liners.
- Mixing Bowls - every kitchen essential item.
- Parmesan Grater - good size and comes with a handy detachable storage container.
Instructions
In a large bowl add Brussels sprouts and season with salt, pepper, and onion powder along with 1 tablespoon of oil.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit according to manufacturer instructions (mine is for 5 minutes).
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with vegetable oil and add the vegetables in a single layer.
Don't overcrowd the basket, you may need to do this in batches.
Air fry for 5 minutes, shake and stir gently. Add parmesan and fry for another 5-6 minutes until charred and crisp.
If using fresh garlic add it here now.
Make the chipotle aioli by combining all the ingredients in a small bowl and let chill in the fridge before serving.
Serve the Brussels sprouts with a drizzle of lime or lemon juice, crispy bacon, and more parmesan on top.
Tips
- The Brussels sprouts should be crisp by the end of cooking. It shouldn’t be firm but shouldn’t be overly soft either. You can also tell that the sprouts have cooked sufficiently by it's lovely enhanced flavor.
- For softer sprouts, soak them in a bowl of water for about 30 minutes prior to air frying. It’s also best to allow the soaked Brussel sprouts to have dried as much as possible before air frying.
- You can air fry these for a couple of minutes longer if necessary but then be sure to shake the basket in between a few times to promote even cooking and prevent any burning.
- Space the sprouts out in the air fryer basket so that they are not overcrowded. This will ensure an even cook on all sides.
- You can easily double or triple this recipe if serving to a larger crowd. You will likely then need to fry in batches.
- I’ve found that larger Brussels sprouts work better for this recipe than the smaller variety. The cooking time may vary, keep an eye on these sprouts!
📋 JULIA'S TIP For an extra hearty meal, we like to serve these tasty sprouts with lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole or my unstuffed Ukrainian Cabbage Rolls recipe.
Brussel Sprouts In Oven Instructions
You can make these Brussels sprouts in a regular oven too.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Toss the vegetables in 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, season with spices, and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until they start becoming golden brown.
Or you can use a broiling function for the last 5-10 minutes to make the outer layer even crispier and darker.
Don't leave them unattended as they will burn rather quickly!
However, I love cooking in the air fryer because you can get away with less oil and the texture can't compare to a regular oven.
Use just a tablespoon or even less, keep an eye on these sprouts and cook until they've become golden brown.
Serving Suggestions
For a quick appetizer to share, I like to serve these sprouts with healthy chipotle aioli. This is totally optional and these can be served without sauce too.
Crispy Brussels sprouts are also good on their own with maple syrup, balsamic glaze, or with a drizzle of good-quality olive oil.
Did you know that Brussels sprouts are high in vitamin C? Adding them at least once or twice a week to your menu is a great way to boost your immune health!
We like to serve them with mix of sides such as Stuffed Mushrooms, Glazed Carrots, or with our favorite main dishes such as pork, barbecue slow cooker pork ribs, or chicken dishes. Mix in pasta or add to warm salads.
Freezing And Storing Instructions
Store the Brussels sprouts in an airtight container for 2-3 days in the fridge.
You can refrigerate and freeze this but like most of baked or fried foods, the texture will be off and unappealing. Your crispy sprouts are highly likely will become soggy.
Besides, cooking a good portion of healthy vegetables takes only a short amount of time, so it makes sense to make them fresh.
To make your prep easier, make Brussel sprouts ahead by cutting them in advance, and adding seasoning. Keep refrigerated for 1-2 days and when ready to air fry, drizzle olive oil, toss and cook!
FAQ
Yes, and they are also suitable for those following a low-carb or strict ketogenic diet since they are another great vegetable that’s very low in carbohydrates!
While there may be carbs in some spices and seasonings, it’s so minimal that it doesn’t cause this recipe to fall outside a keto-appropriate option. When serving this dish with a sauce, opt for one that is also low in carb count.
You could season the Brussel sprouts an hour or so prior to frying or you could even air fry the prepared Brussel sprouts and cook the bacon a day before but then it’s a good idea to keep the bacon and Brussel sprouts in separate containers in the refrigerator so that you can re-crisp the Brussel sprouts in the air fryer the following day just prior to serving.
Absolutely! You’ll just need to remove the bacon for a vegetarian option. To make this recipe vegan-appropriate, omit the bacon, and Parmesan. You could use vegan cheese instead of Parmesan.
Easy Air Fryer Recipes
The air fryer has become my new favorite way of enjoying food, in particular veggies. The cooking time is reduced in half, the texture crispy and flavor incredible. I use my Cosori a lot!
If you love this Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Chipotle Aioli be sure to try my Air Fryer Cauliflower next!
Want to explore more air fryer recipes? Please visit my Air Fryer recipe index right here.
ALL MY SIDE DISHES AND APPETIZERS!
I hope you'll enjoy this air fryer brussel sprouts, please leave a rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo of your food and tag me on Instagram @theyummy_bowl. I love seeing your creations!
Thank you for reading,
Love,
Julia
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts With Bacon And Chipotle Aioli
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound Brussel Sprouts (trimmed and larger sprouts cut in half)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup Parmesan (grated)
- Salt and
- black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 clove garlic (minced (optional))
- Crispy cooked Bacon (optional and more parmesan for garnish)
Healthy Chipotle Aioli
- ½ cup yogurt
- ½ fresh garlic clove (minced)
- ¼ teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large bowl add Brussel sprouts and season with salt, pepper, onion powder along with 1 tablespoon oil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit according to manufacturer instructions (mine is for 5 minutes, Cosori 5.8 quart). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with vegetable oil and add the vegetables in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, you may need to do this in batches.
- Air fry for 5 minutes, shake and gently stir, add parmesan and fry for another 5-6 minutes until charred and crisp. If using fresh garlic add it here now.
- Make the chipotle aioli by combining all the ingredients in a small bowl and let chill in the fridge before serving.
- Serve with a drizzle of lime or lemon juice and more parmesan on top.
Video
PRIVATE NOTES
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
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