Frozen Brussels Sprouts in the air fryer make a fast and delicious side dish on a busy night! They become perfectly roasted in the air fryer with minimal prep so you can have a healthy and delicious side to accompany any meal. All you need is frozen brussels sprouts, a few simple seasonings and 15 minutes!
I love cooking quick side dishes and snacks in my air fryer! Brussels sprouts make an excellent option on busy weeknights. Their crispy texture and savory flavor are a hit with my family.
The air fryer works its magic by circulating hot air around the food, creating a beautiful crispy outer layer without the need for excessive oil.
It turns frozen sweet potatoes fries perfectly golden and gives polenta frita an excellent crispy exterior that's equally irresistible. And when you experiment with other vegetables like zucchini, broccoli, or even cauliflower florets, you'll discover a world of versatile, healthy, and hassle-free side dishes that are ready in no time!
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Why air fryer frozen brussels sprouts
This air fryer brussels sprouts recipe will quickly become your new favorite dinner time side dish! Frozen brussels sprouts air fry fast and easily achieve the perfect roasted texture without needing to heat up your oven.
We love using frozen foods for air frying because they are so convenient. No washing or chopping necessary which saves us a ton of time in the kitchen. We love air frying frozen mixed vegetables, cauliflower, broccoli, gnocchi and more!
Using the air fryer reduces the overall time and more evenly cooks the food. It's like a countertop convection oven. It circulates the hot air all around the food for faster cooking. We have been using this air fryer daily since we got it and love it!
You're going to love this air fryer frozen brussel sprouts recipe. It's:
- Tender on the inside, crispy on the outside
- Easy and quick to make—just 15 minutes
- healthy side dish—no oil needed!
- Fast—no thawing or steaming beforehand
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Easy to customize with different flavor variations
Ingredient notes
You only need a handful of ingredients for these air fried brussels sprouts to become the perfect side dish with the best flavor! Exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Frozen brussels sprouts—Any brand of frozen brussels sprouts will work! You can even use fresh whole brussel sprouts. Just chop off the stem and remove the outer leaves, then slice an 'X' in the bottom where you sliced the stem off to help them cook faster.
Balsamic vinegar—this adds a ton of flavor to brussels sprouts. You can also use soy sauce, maple syrup or your favorite dressing. Or just leave them plain if you prefer!
How to make
The following shows the simple steps of making frozen brussels sprouts in the air fryer. A printable recipe card can be found below.
1. Start by preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 400 degrees F.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, add the frozen brussels and choice of dressing. I used balsamic vinegar to add some flavor. If you prefer plain, you can skip this step. Toss to coat evenly.
3. Sprinkle a little salt and black pepper to taste and toss to combine. Place the frozen brussels sprouts in the preheated air fryer basket or tray (depending on type of air fryer) in a single layer. If you have a smaller air fryer you may need to cook in batches.
4. Cook for 10 minutes. Shake or stir the brussels sprouts to redistribute, then continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes until desired crispiness is reached. The outer leaves should start to become golden brown as they crisp up.
Cook time may vary depending on the model of air fryer. Mine was perfect after 15 minutes but yours might need more or less time so I recommend checking on it every couple minutes after the initial 10 minutes.
Expert Tips
For the best crispy brussels sprouts, do not allow the frozen brussels sprouts to thaw before air frying. Work quickly to coat the brussels sprouts in the dressing so that it is not sitting outside the freezer for more than a few minutes.
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer for best results. Place the frozen brussels sprouts in a single layer without overlapping. If your air fryer is too small to fit the entire batch in a single layer, you may need to cook in a couple batches. It's ok if there is slight overlap, but it may require more time cooking.
How to serve
These air fryer frozen brussels sprouts make a delicious and easy side dish to just about any meal. Once cooked, we love adding dried cranberries and walnuts to the balsamic brussels sprouts and drizzling with additional balsamic glaze. This can transform it into a wonderful holiday side dish too!
For regular week nights, we'll often serve it as a side dish to pasta, salads, casseroles and more!
Storage
Store leftover brussels sprouts in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to retain crispiness or reheat in a microwave.
FAQ's
Yes, frozen vegetables can be air fried. No thawing necessary, just place them in a preheated air fryer directly from frozen.
I have found that you can achieve crispy brussels sprouts without any oil. However if you prefer, you can use cooking spray on the brussels sprouts. A little olive oil spray or avocado oil is fine.
Yes, this a great meal prep recipe. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container and when you're ready to eat, reheat in the air fryer to maintain crispiness or reheat in the microwave.
More easy air fryer recipes
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📖 Recipe
Balsamic Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 12 ounces frozen brussels sprouts
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Start by preheating the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 400°F.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the frozen brussels sprouts and balsamic vinegar or choice of dressing to add some flavor. If you prefer plain, you can skip this step. Toss to coat evenly.1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 12 ounces frozen brussels sprouts
- Sprinkle a little salt and black pepper to taste and toss to combine. Place the frozen brussels sprouts in the preheated air fryer basket or tray (depending on type of air fryer) in a single layer. If you have a smaller air fryer you may need to cook in batches.salt and black pepper
- Cook for 10 minutes. Shake or stir the brussels sprouts to redistribute, then continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes until desired crispiness is reached. The outer leaves should start to become golden brown as they crisp up.
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