Last Updated on September 18, 2023 by Harry & Johan. This post may contain affliate links, see privacy policy
Crispy, caramelized frozen Brussels sprouts ready in just 15 minutes! This easy recipe for air fryer frozen Brussels sprouts makes the perfect side dish in just 15 minutes! With simple ingredients and instructions, you'll always have tender sprouts with crispy edges.
I love making Brussels sprouts in the air fryer! For one, the high heat of the air fryer crisps up the sprouts to caramelized perfection in just 15-20 minutes. That short cook time means you can have a healthy vegetable side dish ready in no time. I made this recipe last week, and I couldn't have been happier with the results so I had to share them!
This air fryer method may become your new favorite way to cook this classic side dish! Brussels sprouts may not be everybody's favorite vegetable, but they are a great side dish packed with vitamin K!
If you want more easy air fryer side dishes, I recommend my recipes for Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli, Air Fryer Corn on the Cob in Foil, and my easy Air Fryer Carrots and Potatoes! They're super easy veggie sides you can get on the table fast!
Jump to:
- 📋 Why You'll Love This Recipe!
- 🌱 Ingredients for Air Frying Frozen Brussels Sprouts
- ✔️ Ingredient Substitutions
- 📖 How to Make Frozen Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer
- 🥘 Variations
- 🧂What to Serve With Brussels Sprouts
- ⏲ Equipment
- 🍶 Storage
- 🙋🏻♂️ FAQs
- 👨🏻🍳 Top tips
- 📒 Recipe Card
- Crispy Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts
- 🍳 More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
📋 Why You'll Love This Recipe!
This easy air fryer frozen brussels sprouts recipe has so much going for it.
- Ready in just 15-20 minutes - no excuse not to make a side dish!
- Perfectly caramelized and crispy without deep frying.
- Tossing in oil ensures sprouts get crispy edges.
- Single layer prevents overcrowding for even cooking.
- High heat of air fryer browns and crisps sprouts nicely.
- Easy way to cook frozen sprouts without thawing first.
- Endless ways to customize with sauces, seasonings, etc.
- No complicated ingredients needed - just simple seasonings!
- Kid-friendly and familiar side dish everyone will love.
🌱 Ingredients for Air Frying Frozen Brussels Sprouts
When it comes to making air fryer frozen Brussels sprouts, you only need the following ingredients:
- Brussels Sprouts: For this recipe, using a one pound bag of frozen Brussels sprouts works great. The frozen sprouts will thaw out when cooking in the air fryer basket. Using frozen sprouts eliminates the need to prep fresh sprouts.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A couple of tablespoons of olive oil is all you need to coat the frozen Brussels sprouts evenly. The oil helps the seasonings stick and gives the sprouts a bit of crispiness when air fried. Avocado oil or cooking spray can be subbed in if you don't have olive oil.
- Salt and Pepper: Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper add great flavor. About ¼ teaspoon each is perfect. Feel free to adjust to taste.
- Garlic Powder: A pinch of garlic powder gives a nice garlicky flavor without overpowering. Onion powder, Italian seasoning, or any of your other favorite seasonings would also pair well.
That's it! Just four or five basic ingredients are all you need for deliciously crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts. The simple ingredients let the flavor of the fresh vegetables shine through.
See the recipe card for precise quantities and complete instructions!
✔️ Ingredient Substitutions
- Oil: Olive oil works great, but you can also use avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or other neutral oils that can be subbed. Cooking spray is an easy option too.
- Seasonings: Use any of your favorite seasoning blends like cajun, jerk, lemon pepper, etc. Get creative!
- Brussels Sprouts: You can use fresh Brussel sprouts instead of frozen ones if you prep them first by trimming and cutting them in halves.
📖 How to Make Frozen Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer
The high heat of the air fryer does all the work to crisp up and brown the sprouts without the need for deep frying. Toss in olive oil and seasonings, then cook in a single layer for the best results. Shake halfway through for even cooking. Adjust cooking time as needed based on the size of your particular air fryer model.
Preheat Air Fryer: Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F. This high heat will give you the best texture.
Season Sprouts: While the air fryer is preheating, toss the frozen Brussels sprouts in a large mixing bowl with the olive oil. Be sure each sprout is evenly coated with a thin layer of oil. This helps the seasonings stick.
Sprinkle the kosher salt, cracked black pepper and garlic powder over the oiled sprouts. Toss again to distribute the seasonings evenly.
Add to Air Fryer: Pour the seasoned sprouts into the basket of the air fryer in a single even layer, being careful not to overcrowd. Overcrowding prevents even cooking.
Air Fry Sprouts: Air fry at 400°F for 15 - 20 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket gently halfway through cooking to redistribute.
Garnish & Serve: After air frying, immediately transfer the hot crispy Brussels sprouts to a serving dish. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed, and garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy your crispy air fried frozen Brussels sprouts!
Hint: Keep a close eye on the delicious brussel sprouts while they are cooking as their little leaves can burn quickly! If this is your first time making this delicious side dish, test the degrees f of your air fryer as air fryer models are all different and the temperature can vary!
🥘 Variations
Beyond being quick and easy, the recipe is also versatile. Simple seasonings like garlic powder, salt and pepper let the flavor of the fresh veggies shine. But you can also get creative and customize with different herb blends, spicy seasonings, cheeses, sauces and more.
- Balsamic Brussels Sprouts: After air frying, toss the hot Brussels sprouts with 2-3 tablespoons of good-quality balsamic vinegar. The sweet tanginess complements the crunchy sprouts perfectly. You can also add 1-2 teaspoons of pure maple syrup to balance out the balsamic vinegar's acidity with a touch of sweetness. Garnish with chopped parsley or shredded parmesan cheese for a pop of color and freshness. The balsamic glaze adds a gourmet touch.
- Spicy Sriracha Brussels Sprouts: Whisk together 2-3 tablespoons of sriracha sauce, one tablespoon of soy sauce or tamari, one tablespoon of pure maple syrup, one teaspoon of sesame oil, one teaspoon of rice vinegar, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for an Asian glaze. Toss the cooked Brussels sprouts in the glaze until evenly coated. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. The heat from the sriracha pairs wonderfully with the crunchy sear of the sprouts.
- Pesto Parmesan Brussels Sprouts: Toss warm Brussels sprouts with 3-4 tablespoons of prepared pesto sauce, either store-bought or homemade. The herby flavor of pesto is fantastic with Brussels sprouts. Top with shredded or shaved parmesan cheese and fresh cracked black pepper. You can also add toasted pine nuts or walnuts for extra crunch. The pesto Parmesan combination is fresh and flavorful.
- Bacon and Blue Cheese Brussels Sprouts: Cook 4-6 slices of bacon in a skillet until crispy. Transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle over the cooked brussels sprouts along with ¼ cup of crumbled blue cheese. The salty, savory bacon and pungent blue cheese take these sprouts to the next level!
The possibilities are endless! Use your favorite sauces, spices and mix-ins.
🧂What to Serve With Brussels Sprouts
These crispy golden brown air fryer brussel sprouts are a delicious and nutritious side to pair with just about any main dish. The cooking process to get them tender on the inside with crispy edges takes less time than roasting in the oven style, so they make a great side even on busy weeknights. Their mellow flavor and crunch complements proteins like chicken, beef or fish wonderfully. Try serving them alongside favorites like:
- Baked or roasted chicken.
- Pork chops or sausage.
- Steaks, burgers, or meatballs. Try out my Air Fryer Cube Steak Recipe, it pairs very well!
- Salmon, halibut, or cod.
- Shepherd's pie or pot pie. If you have frozen pot pies, check out how to make Frozen Pot Pies in the Air Fryer!
- Grilled vegetables or a simple side like Air Fryer French Fries!
Jazz up and add extra flavor to your plated brussel sprouts with mix-ins like:
- Grated parmesan cheese.
- Chopped cooked bacon.
- Caramelized onions or shallots.
- Diced avocado.
- Toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts.
- Lemon or lime zest.
With the right pairings and toppings, these frozen vegetables can be dressed up to be a star rating side worthy of a holiday meal! But they're easy enough for a weekday family dinner too.
Try this great way to cook brussel sprouts to enjoy their best flavor and texture. The air fryer does all the work to perfectly crisp the sprouts in just minutes. Let us know how your family rates this recipe by leaving a comment and star rating below! And don't forget to save the printable recipe card for later.
⏲ Equipment
Air Fryer: This recipe has been tested using two air fryer models:
- Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer Oven. This air fryer has a useful viewing window that allows you to monitor the food as it cooks. This model always cooks food a bit quicker than my Cosori model, so reduce the cooking time as needed.
- Cosori Max XL Large Cooker. It has a capacity of 5.8 quarts which is quite large. The basket is smaller than my Instant Pot model but has very good hot air circulation.
Whatever air fryer model you have, test the heat with an oven thermometer to see if your air fryer runs hotter or cooler than others. All air fryers are different so results will vary!
🍶 Storage
Leftover air fried brussels sprouts will keep well in the refrigerator:
- Let cooked sprouts cool to room temperature before storing.
- Transfer leftover Brussels sprouts to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
- Store in the fridge for 3-5 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer or oven.
Freezing is another great option for storing cooked brussels sprouts long term. Here's how:
- First spread sprouts in single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet to quickly cool after air frying.
- Once cooled, transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers leaving some headspace.
- Squeeze out excess air and seal bags.
- Label with contents and date.
- Freeze up to 2-3 months.
- Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
With proper storage, you can enjoy crispy air fried sprouts all week long!
These Brussels sprouts don't stand up well to freezing so I would recommend chomping them all down and storing any leftovers in the refrigerator.
🙋🏻♂️ FAQs
Look for a one pound bag of frozen brussels sprouts at your local grocery store, usually in the frozen vegetable section. Store the frozen sprouts in the freezer until ready to use. No need to thaw before air frying!
Absolutely! Just trim the stems and any discolored outer leaves from fresh brussels sprouts. Cut sprouts in half top to bottom. Proceed with recipe, adding 2-3 extra minutes air fry time since fresh sprouts have more moisture.
Yes, preheating is important to ensure the air fryer reaches the proper high temperature for getting the sprouts crispy.
Place leftovers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Reheat at 400°F for 1-2 minutes until warmed through and crispy. You can also reheat in the microwave or oven.
Definitely! Just increase the ingredients as needed and air fry in batches to prevent overcrowding the basket. Store cooked sprouts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
👨🏻🍳 Top tips
- Shaking the basket midway through cooking helps ensure even browning and cooking.
- Don't overcrowd the basket or the sprouts won't get as crispy. Work in batches for larger quantities.
- Cooking time can vary slightly depending on the size of your particular air fryer model.
- For extra crispy sprouts, air fry 2-3 minutes longer.
Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a comment below and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram!
📒 Recipe Card
Crispy Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb. frozen brussels sprouts
- 2 Tbsp. tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp. tsp salt
- ¼ tsp. tsp pepper
- 1.4 tsp. tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Pre-heat your air fryer to 400°F (200℃).
- In a medium bowl, toss the frozen brussels sprouts with the olive oil until coated. Add the salt, pepper and garlic powder and toss again until the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Pour the seasoned brussels sprouts into the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd.
- Air fry for 15 - 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking, until the Brussels sprouts are tender and browned in spots. Add a couple of minutes to the cooking time if needed to get them perfectly cooked.
- Serve immediately and enjoy! Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
- Use 1 pound frozen Brussels sprouts for easy prep
- Toss sprouts with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder before air frying
- Air fry at 400°F for 15 - 20 minutes for crispy sprouts
- Shake basket halfway through to redistribute for even cooking
- Cook in single layer and don't overcrowd for best results
- Adjust cooking time if using a different size air fryer
- Add 2-3 more minutes for extra crispy sprouts
- Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 5 days
- Reheat leftovers in air fryer for 1-2 minutes to crispen up
- Customize with sauces, spices, cheese, etc for tasty variations
Nutrition
This recipe was tested with these air fryers:
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