When it comes to crispy texture, zesty flavor, and ease of cooking, nothing beats this easy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts recipe. The flavorful Parmesan cheese and ranch seasoning make it a hit for both kids and adults, making it the perfect sidekick for any main course.
Why I Love These Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Healthy vegetables just got an upgrade! From my Air Fryer Asparagus, Roasted Zucchini and Peppers, and Sweet Potatoes, I’ve done my fair share of Air Fryer recipes. These crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts check all the boxes: They take less time to cook than in a regular oven and use less oil than deep frying, all while still coming out beautifully golden brown and delicious. Welcome to your new favorite way to cook your favorite veggie!
Air frying your Brussels sprouts brings out the best flavors and textures in a fraction of the time. It’s the perfect combo of savory, slightly nutty, and even a tad sweet – especially with the smaller-sized sprouts. The high heat in the air fryer allows them to cook quickly while still maintaining their tenderness on the inside. Plus, with minimal oil needed, this recipe is a healthier option compared to traditional methods of cooking.
Pair ’em with a protein and some whole grains, and you have got yourself a well-rounded meal!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Brussels sprouts: The star of the show! I recommend getting Brussels sprouts that are similar in size for the most even cooking.
- Vegetable oil: This will be used as a coating to create deliciously crispy Brussels sprouts.
- Ranch seasoning: Find this by the salad dressings or in the spice section. I like to use Hidden Valley or McCormick. Trader Joe’s also has an excellent ranch seasoning.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated is a must for maximum flavor!
- Salt & pepper: A little kosher salt and black pepper will round out the flavors.
How to Pick Out Good Brussels Sprouts
Picking out the right Brussels sprouts is actually quite easy. You’ll want to find fresh sprouts at your local grocery store that are generally medium in size, have a good, compact, and tight inner leaf, no brown or yellow leaves, and may feel slightly heavy for their size. Make sure you select sprouts that are all similar in size, as this will help them cook more evenly in the air fryer.
Preparation
Wash the sprouts of any dirt or debris and dry thoroughly. Then, use a small knife and cut off as much of the stem as possible. If you’ve purchased Brussels sprouts loosely, the stems will likely be minimal, but you should still trim them as necessary. Remove any loose, small, or damaged outer leaves. For this recipe, we’ll cut the Brussels sprouts in half lengthwise.
Add the Brussels sprouts to a large mixing bowl and toss with the vegetable oil so they are all evenly coated. Next, we mix the dry ranch seasoning, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper together and toss it in with the sprouts. Use your hands and make sure the Brussels are evenly coated with the mixture.
Cooking
Once seasoned, place the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket/tray.
Top Tip
Make sure the Brussels sprouts are in a single layer and not stacked on top of each other. We want the air to be able to circulate around each sprout for optimal crisping.
Now, set the air fryer to the air fry setting at 350°F for 12 minutes. No preheating is necessary. Shake the basket a couple of times during cooking. If using a tray model air fryer, open the door and quickly toss the sprouts as best possible with a wooden spoon or spatula.
Start checking the sprouts after about 10 minutes for doneness. The outside leaves should be good and dark and crispy – pretty close to a charred look. This is what we want. It’s that char that creates the magical flavor of roasted Brussels sprouts.
Serving
When the cooked Brussels sprouts are done, place them into a large bowl to be served at the dinner table. This little green retains heat pretty well, so they should stay good and hot. They already have all the seasoning they need, so no need to add anything else.
Enjoy your crispy, flavorful Brussels sprouts!
What to Serve with Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts make a great side dish to many different main courses. They’re versatile and can be served with various flavors and cuisines. Here are some of my favorite dishes to serve with these air fryer Brussels sprouts:
- Oven Roasted Turkey Tenderloin
- Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Best Damn Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork Roast
Storage and Reheating
Storing and reheating these air fryer brussels sprouts is as easy as it gets! Let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To reheat in the air fryer, set the temp to 325°F and air fry for about 4-5 minutes.
- To reheat in a microwave, place the sprouts in a microwave-safe container and heat for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
Recipe
Best Damn Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
Description
These air fryer Brussels sprouts are seasoned to with ranch seasoning and Parmesan cheese, then air fried to perfection. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and loaded with awesome flavor everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 1lb Brussels sprouts, fresh
- 2 tbs vegetable oil
- 1 tbs Ranch seasoning, dry
- 1 tbs Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper, ground
Instructions
- Trim stems from Brussels sprouts, remove any loose or damaged outer leaves and cut sprouts in half lengthwise.
- Place Brussels sprouts in a large bowl and toss with vegetable oil until well coated.
- Mix together ranch seasoning, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and sprinkle mixture onto Brussels sprouts, tossing until well coated.
- Place Brussels sprouts in air fryer basket or tray in a single layer, set to air fry at 350°(F) for 12 minutes. No preheating necessary. At the halfway point, open air fryer and shake basket/flip sprouts accordingly.
- When done, remove to a bowl for serving.
Notes
- Times may vary slightly depending on size of Brussels sprouts. Always try to use sprouts of approximately the same size.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Air fryer
- Cuisine: Vegetable
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-6 Brussels sprouts
Pamela says
My favorite Brussels sprout recipe so far. My husband gives them a 10.
John Goforth says
They were the best I ever had. Thank you
Snootz says
Delicious! I cooked them longer because I love a good char on everything. Thanks for a great recipe!
Samantha Whitson says
One of my favorite roast vegetables~ yum! Just had not yet made them in an air fryer, so I came here looking for details. My air fryer is amazing btw~ they were dark, crispy brown perfection @6 mins! I was stunned, to say the least- it’s been just as surprising w/nearly all things I’ve cooked in it so far, about half the usual times given for most air fryers. It’s an off-brand I’d never heard of; “ICONITES 11 in One/20 Liter”. It’s large capacity, but still has a small footprint, so to speak~ about the size of an old school toaster oven, a smallish one. Paid $80 for it, at a locally owned discount pallet store,(retails between $240-$340) & could not be happier, at this point. We shall see about it’s longevity, although reviews I’m reading are 2 to 5 yrs old, so there’s that.
Samantha Whitson says
*Btw~ only leaving air fryer details as I noticed a few comments/requests on specific models, so I wanted to share my experience/model. Thanks again for such an awesome, helpful website- such great info here, not to mention the recipes =)
Sally says
Can I make this brussel sprout recipe in the air fryer I have? It’s the PowerAir Fryer oven. Holds up to a 4 pdf. Chicken.
RecipeTeacher says
While I have not used that particular model, yes – it’s an air fryer.
Mar says
Do you need to place in a single layer or is it ok if they are a few inches deep on top of eachother?
RecipeTeacher says
Hi Mar,
As with most air fryer foods, it’s best to do as much a single layer as possible. With the Brussels sprouts, if they’re a little crowded it should be ok, but you definitely DO want to keep them moving around to make sure they get evenly cooked. When in doubt, do a couple of batches. I think you’ll see positive results that way.
Mimi says
I love these so much!! They come out the perfect texture, and just taste amazing!
Susan says
I just subscribed to your recipes and everything looks so good. Do you have a suggestion for an air fryer brand?
RecipeTeacher says
Hi Susan. Thanks for subscribing to the site! I love the Cosori 5.8qt air fryer. That’s the one I use the most. The Instant Pot Vortex Plus is a great one too – but it’s a bit bigger.
Lisa says
These are by far the best Brussels sprouts I have ever eaten. They were actually addictive.
RecipeTeacher says
Thanks, Lisa!! Yeah we love them too. They go quickly. 🙂
Ckr says
Prepared as written. Absolutely delicious, better than the oven and much quicker as well. We loved them , can’t wait to make more!!!
RecipeTeacher says
Thanks so much, Ckr!! Yeah we’re super happy with this recipe. Brussels sprouts are SO good this way. Thank you for the feedback!