Quick answer: Trim and halve 500g Brussels sprouts, toss with 1 tbsp oil, ½ tsp salt and a pinch of pepper, then air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 15–18 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes, until the edges are deep golden and a knife slides into the centre easily. For extra crunch, turn up to 200°C for the final 2 minutes. Frozen sprouts take 18–22 minutes at 180°C, cooked straight from frozen.
If you grew up on boiled-to-grey sprouts, the air fryer will change your mind. The circulating heat caramelises the cut faces and turns the loose outer leaves into crisp, nutty little chips, while the centres steam until just tender. It’s faster than roasting, frees up the oven on a Sunday, and the method below avoids the two classic problems: sprouts that are burnt outside but raw inside, and sprouts that taste bitter.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Cooking Times
| Type | Prep | Temperature | Time | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh, halved | Medium sprouts, cut top to bottom | 180°C (350°F) | 15–18 mins | Shake every 5 mins |
| Fresh, quartered | Large sprouts (over 4cm) | 180°C (350°F) | 12–15 mins | Best for crispiest edges |
| Fresh, whole | Small sprouts, cross cut in base | 180°C (350°F) | 18–22 mins | Check centres with a knife |
| Shredded | Thinly sliced | 180°C (350°F) | 6–8 mins | Toss every 2 mins |
| Frozen, whole | Straight from frozen | 180°C (350°F) | 18–22 mins | Oil after 8 mins |
| With bacon lardons | Halved sprouts | 180°C (350°F) | 15–18 mins | Use less oil |
| Reheating cooked sprouts | From the fridge | 180°C (350°F) | 4–6 mins | Re-crisps the leaves |
Times are for a 500g batch in a 4–6L basket. A fuller basket needs 2–4 minutes longer; a half batch can be 2–3 minutes quicker. Cooking sprouts alongside a roast? The Multi-Food Cooking Planner tells you when to start each food so everything finishes together.
What You Need
- 500g fresh Brussels sprouts (serves 4 as a side)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or rapeseed oil
- ½ tsp fine sea salt and a good pinch of black pepper
- Optional: ½ tsp garlic granules, a squeeze of lemon, or 2 tbsp grated Parmesan to finish
Pick firm, tightly closed sprouts that feel heavy for their size, with bright green leaves. Yellowing or loose sprouts are older and tend to taste more bitter. Try to choose sprouts of a similar size so they all cook at the same rate.
How to Cook Brussels Sprouts in an Air Fryer (Step by Step)
- Trim. Slice a thin layer off each stalk end and pull away any yellow or damaged outer leaves.
- Halve evenly. Cut each sprout in half from top to stalk so every piece has a flat face. Quarter any very large ones and leave tiny ones whole.
- Dry thoroughly. If you washed them, pat them dry with a clean tea towel. Wet sprouts steam rather than crisp.
- Oil and season. Toss in a bowl with the oil, salt, pepper and garlic granules until every cut face is glossy. Oiling in a bowl coats far more evenly than drizzling in the basket.
- Arrange cut side down where you can, in a single layer or close to it. Overlap a little if you must, but don’t pile them high.
- Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 15–18 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes so they colour evenly.
- Check for doneness. A small knife should slide into the thickest sprout with almost no resistance and the cut faces should be deep golden brown. For extra crunch, give them 2 minutes at 200°C.
- Finish and serve. Squeeze over a little lemon juice or scatter with Parmesan, and serve straight away while the leaves are still crisp.
How to Cook Frozen Brussels Sprouts in an Air Fryer
Don’t defrost them first. Thawed frozen sprouts turn soggy and fall apart.
- Spread the frozen sprouts in the basket and air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 8 minutes to drive off the ice.
- Tip them into a bowl, toss with 1 tbsp oil and your seasoning (it won’t stick to icy sprouts at the start).
- Return to the basket and cook for another 10–14 minutes, shaking halfway, until browned and tender.
Frozen sprouts never get quite as crisp as fresh ones, because freezing softens the cell walls, but this method gets them close. Halve any large ones after the first 8 minutes if you want more browned edges.
6 Flavour Ideas for Air Fryer Sprouts
- Bacon and sprouts: add 100g smoked bacon lardons or chopped streaky bacon with the sprouts and cut the oil to 1 tsp. The bacon fat crisps the leaves beautifully.
- Honey balsamic: whisk 1 tbsp honey with 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar and toss through after cooking. Added earlier, the sugar burns.
- Garlic Parmesan: toss with 2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan in the last 2 minutes so it melts and crisps.
- Chestnut and cranberry: add 100g cooked chestnuts for the last 5 minutes and finish with dried cranberries. A classic Christmas side.
- Chilli and lime: season with smoked paprika and chilli flakes, then finish with lime zest and juice.
- Maple pecan: drizzle with maple syrup and scatter toasted pecans after cooking.
Out of an ingredient? The Ingredient Substitution Finder suggests swaps, and the Crispiness Adjuster shows how to make them softer or crunchier.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Sprouts are made for a roast dinner. Pair them with air fryer roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and roasted butternut squash. On a weeknight they’re just as good next to crispy chicken thighs, sausages or salmon.
Troubleshooting
They’re burnt outside but hard in the middle
The temperature was too high or the sprouts were too big. Cook at 180°C, halve or quarter large sprouts, and only turn the heat up for the last couple of minutes.
They taste bitter
Bitterness comes from overcooking (especially boiling) and from old sprouts. Browning the cut faces brings out natural sweetness, so cut side down helps. A squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of honey or salty Parmesan balances any remaining bitterness.
They’re soft and soggy, not crispy
The basket was too full or the sprouts were wet. Dry them well, cook in batches if needed, and shake regularly. More fixes in why air fryer food isn’t crispy.
The loose leaves burnt
Single leaves crisp in minutes. Some charred leaves are delicious, but if you don’t want them, pick out the loose leaves before cooking or add them for the last 3 minutes only.
My air fryer is smoking
Usually oil or bacon fat dripping into the drawer. Use a measured tablespoon of oil rather than a pour. See why an air fryer smokes.
Make Ahead, Storage and Reheating
You can trim and halve sprouts up to 2 days ahead and keep them in a container in the fridge. Cooked sprouts keep in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat at 180°C (350°F) for 4–6 minutes: they come back much crisper than in the microwave. Our Leftover Reheat Guide covers the rest of your roast dinner leftovers too.
Are Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Healthy?
Yes. Brussels sprouts are high in fibre, vitamin C and vitamin K, and air frying needs only about a tablespoon of oil for a 500g batch, a fraction of what you’d use roasting them in a tray of fat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Brussels sprouts take in an air fryer?
Halved fresh sprouts take 15–18 minutes at 180°C (350°F), shaken every 5 minutes. Quartered sprouts take 12–15 minutes and small whole sprouts 18–22 minutes.
What temperature should I air fry Brussels sprouts at?
180°C (350°F) cooks them through without burning the outer leaves. Turn up to 200°C for the last 2 minutes if you want extra crunch.
Should I boil Brussels sprouts before air frying?
No. Halved sprouts cook through perfectly in the air fryer. Parboiling adds moisture, which makes them softer and less crispy.
Can you cook frozen Brussels sprouts in an air fryer?
Yes. Cook from frozen at 180°C for 8 minutes, toss with oil and seasoning, then cook for another 10–14 minutes until browned and tender.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer for Brussels sprouts?
It isn’t essential. Preheating for 3 minutes gives slightly crisper cut faces and can shave a minute or two off the cooking time.
How do you make Brussels sprouts less bitter?
Choose fresh, tightly closed sprouts, don’t overcook them, and brown the cut faces. Finish with lemon, honey, balsamic or Parmesan to balance the flavour.
How do you know when air fryer Brussels sprouts are done?
The cut faces are deep golden brown, the outer leaves are crisp, and a knife slides into the centre of the largest sprout with almost no resistance.
Planning a roast? See all our air fryer vegetables, try our easy air fryer recipes, or browse every air fryer recipe on the site.
