Parmesan-crusted Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are crispy, bursting with flavor and addictive! Made without bacon, this veggie side dish cooks in under 10 minutes, thanks to the magic of air fryer.
Parmesan crusted brussels sprouts are perfectly crispy and tastes absolutely delicious. Umami rich parmesan cheese adds depth and complexity.
When buying brussels sprouts from the store, look for a pre packaged bag. While they are occasionally available on stalks during the season, they tend to be pricier. They are typically in season from October through March, but you can usually find them year-round at your local grocery store.
To prepare brussels sprouts, start by giving them a thorough rinse under cold water. Using a sharp knife, trim and discard the tough brown ends. Discard any outer leaves that appear yellow, brown, or discolored.
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Why you'll love this?
- Basic pantry ingredients.
- No bacon
- Vegetarian side dish
- Perfectly seasoned
- Crisp exterior and tender interior.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Brussels Sprouts – When selecting Brussels sprouts from the grocery store, look for bright heads that are firm, tightly wrapped, and feel heavy for their size. Avoid ones with yellowing leaves or black spots, which could signify fungus. Smaller heads are usually sweeter and more tender than larger ones.
- Butter - Adds richness and compliments the parmesan, like in parmesan bread bites.
- Parmesan Cheese – Like in all parmesan cheese recipes, use freshly grated parmesan, if possible.
- Seasonings - Basic pantry seasonings like black pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
Variations
- Use frozen brussels sprouts - If you're using frozen Brussels sprouts, there's no need to defrost them before air frying. Just ensure there's plenty of space between the sprouts in the air fryer basket. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. While frozen Brussels sprouts may have a slightly softer texture, they still deliver great flavor.
- Add bacon - Crumble cooked bacon on top of the finished sprouts.
- Add feta cheese - Omit the parmesan, and then toss the cooked Brussels sprouts with a handful of feta cheese.
How to make?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
- Trim the ends off the Brussels sprouts and remove any brown outer leaves. Cut large ones in half and leave small ones whole, ensuring they are of uniform size for even cooking. Add melted butter.
- Toss them with cayenne, garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
3. Add brussels sprouts into a 375 degree air fryer, spread into a single layer and cook for 5 minutes.
Open air fryer, give it a shake and move all the brussels sprouts close together, making sure they are in one layer. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. Continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, until they are deep golden and crisp.
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Secrets for perfect air fryer brussels sprouts
- The ideal temperature is 375 degrees. Any hotter and the outer leaves may burn before the inside cooks through, while any cooler will cause the Brussels sprouts to steam rather than roast.
- Spread the Brussels sprouts evenly in the air fryer basket during the first half of cooking to allow them to crisp up properly. In the second half, gather them closer together while keeping them in a single layer, so the Parmesan cheese adheres to the tops rather than falling through the grates.
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even roasting.
- If you like your air fried brussels sprouts to be soft, then soak them in water for 10 minutes before air frying.
How to serve?
This air fryer veggie pairs well with all types of protein. Serve it for weeknight dinner with chicken dishes, pasta like lemon chicken pasta, shrimp alfredo pasta or even seafood dishes like air fryer BBQ salmon.
How to store?
- Refrigerator - Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- To reheat - Reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes.
- To Freeze - They tend to become mushy once thawed, so I don't recommend freezing them.
Helpful tips
- Cut into even size pieces - Cut larger brussels sprouts into halves and leave small ones whole. This makes sure that they all cook evenly at the same time.
- Don't overcrowd - Make sure not to over crowd the basket so that they can crisp up.
- Move them together for the second half of cooking- This ensures that most of the cheese stays on top of the vegetable without falling into the basket.
- Parmesan - Freshly grated parmesan melts into the nooks and crannies of the sprouts, making them delicious.
- Pat them dry - After washing, be sure to thoroughly pat them dry. This will allow the butter to coat them more effectively and promote crispiness.
- Air fryer size - One-pound Brussels sprouts were perfect to cook in a 6-quart air fryer without overcrowding. If using a smaller air fryer, then cook in two batches.
Tender brussels sprouts in the air fryer
For more tender Brussels sprouts, soak them in water for about 10 minutes before air frying. After soaking, drain and pat them dry to remove excess moisture. This soaking process helps to soften the centers, resulting in a more tender texture.
Alternatively, you can use a handy trick to achieve a softer texture. Add a small amount of water to the basket before placing the Brussels sprouts inside. As the water heats, it produces steam that helps cook the sprouts more thoroughly and tenderly.
More air fryer recipes
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound brussels sprouts
- 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 to 2 pinches red pepper flakes
- ⅓ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Trim the ends off the Brussels sprouts and remove any brown outer leaves. Cut large ones in half and leave small ones whole, ensuring they are of uniform size for even cooking.
- Toss cut brussels sprouts with all remaining ingredients except parmesan, in a bowl.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F for 9 minutes.Tip - Refer notes for a tip to get tender cooked brussels sprouts. If you'd like crispy sprouts then proceed to the next step.
- When hot, add brussels sprouts in a single layer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Open air fryer, give it a shake and move all the brussels sprouts close together, making sure they are in one layer.
- Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. Continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, until they are deep golden and crisp.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
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