This Is The Key to Cooking Perfect Brussels Sprouts

At CNET, we're pretty big fans of air fryers. While they aren't the best appliance for cooking every vegetable, they make Brussels sprouts perfectly. The dense, flavorful nature of the veggie makes them a perfect match for an air fryer's intense heat. 

Not only are Brussels healthy, they make an incredibly tasty side, especially when topped with a little balsamic vinegar and other add-ons. Here's everything you need to know about making the tastiest and crispiest Brussels sprouts.

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For more cooking tips, see the eight foods you should only cook in an air fryer and the trick for perfect air fryer salmon.

How to nail air fryer Brussels sprouts 

Here are a few best practices I use to make every batch of air fryer Brussels sprouts toasty and crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. 

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Choose the right temperature

The best temperature for air fryer Brussels sprouts depends on how you like them. If you're looking for tender, green sprouts with just a little browning, set your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. If you, like me, prefer a roasty, toasty, extra-crispy air fryer Brussels sprout, air fry them at 400 degrees F.

Oil is a must

I don't add oil when air frying frozen, precooked foods like French fries or chicken tenders. However, a little oil is essential to give fresh vegetables a crunchy, browned exterior. You can do this by spritzing the basket with oil, then spritzing the food once you've added it. I prefer to toss my Brussels sprouts with a drizzle of oil in a bowl, along with a little salt and any spices I might be using, before cooking. 

Give your sprouts some space

The trick to successful air frying is arranging the food in a single layer without overcrowding too much. This will allow your air fryer's convection heat to crisp up as much surface area as possible and result in faster cooking. 

Ingredients for air fryer Brussels sprouts

• 1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How to make air fryer Brussels sprouts

1. Wash Brussels sprouts and trim away the ends and any yellow or damaged leaves. Cut each sprout in half (you can leave any sprouts that are less than 1 inch wide or so whole). 
2. Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (for more gently cooked sprouts) or 400 degrees F (for browned, crispy sprouts). If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, run it at the desired temperature for 5 minutes. 
3. While the air fryer is preheating, put Brussels sprouts in a medium bowl and toss with olive oil. Add salt and pepper, tossing to coat sprouts evenly. 
4. Add Brussels sprouts to the preheated air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes. 
5. Shake the basket when time is up, then cook for another 5 to 7 minutes. The total cook time will depend on your air fryer and the size of your sprouts. Poke a sharp knife into the center of a sprout to check for doneness -- the inside should be tender.
   
6. Serve air fryer Brussels sprouts immediately. If desired, toss with a squeeze of lemon juice, a dash of sriracha and soy sauce, finely grated Parmesan cheese, or balsamic vinegar before serving. 

Air fryer Brussels sprouts FAQ