Name: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Optional Toppings Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound Brussels sprouts; 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (optional but delish!); 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze or reduced balsamic vinegar; Drizzle pomegranate molasses; 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup; 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

There's something irresistibly satisfying about crispy, caramelized Brussels sprouts that just work perfectly in an air fryer—especially when you can jazz them up with your favorite add-ons. This Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Optional Toppings Recipe brings that crispy, tender magic to your table with a few delightful twists you can tailor to your taste.

A white bowl filled with one layer of roasted Brussels sprouts, each halved, showing a mix of green, golden brown, and charred dark brown colors with a slightly crispy texture. Some of the Brussels sprouts have a light sprinkle of white grated cheese on top. A silver spoon rests on the right side inside the bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with part of a striped cloth visible at the top. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Optional Toppings Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Optional Toppings Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Optional Toppings Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made Brussels sprouts countless ways, but air frying them has become my go-to because it strikes the perfect balance between tender insides and crispy, golden edges. And adding optional toppings lets you turn this humble vegetable into a star dish.

Speedy Cooking: Air frying halves your cook time compared to roasting, so you get a delicious side dish faster.
Customizable Flavor: The recipe’s optional toppings — from balsamic glaze to Parmesan — let you switch things up every time you make it.
Perfect Texture: Crispy outside, tender inside is exactly what you want in Brussels sprouts, and this method nails it every time.
Minimal Fuss: Only a few ingredients and simple steps make this recipe approachable, no matter your skill level.

A close-up of a white bowl filled with roasted Brussels sprouts, cut in half showing a yellow-green inside with crispy browned edges, and some outer leaves with dark char marks. The Brussels sprouts are sprinkled with grated light-colored cheese, adding a fine textured topping. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The simple but dynamic combo of Brussels sprouts, olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic sets the stage for flavor and texture. Each optional topping can elevate the dish differently, whether you want sweet, tangy, or cheesy notes.

Flat lay of fresh halved Brussels sprouts with some whole Brussels sprouts, a small white ceramic bowl of extra virgin olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl of ground black pepper, whole uncracked garlic cloves and a few thinly sliced garlic pieces arranged neatly on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl with thick balsamic glaze, a small white ceramic bowl with pomegranate molasses, a small white ceramic bowl with pure maple syrup, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Brussels sprouts: Fresh and firm sprouts ensure a crunchy bite after air frying. Look for bright green heads with tight leaves.
Extra virgin olive oil: A little oil helps the sprouts crisp up beautifully and adds richness.
Kosher salt: Enhances the natural flavor; I prefer kosher because of its texture and pure taste.
Ground black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to balance the sweetness of the Brussels sprouts.
Garlic cloves: Thinly sliced, garlic roasts up crispy alongside the sprouts for an extra flavor kick.
Balsamic glaze or reduced balsamic vinegar: Adds a luscious tangy sweetness that’s perfect drizzled on right before serving.
Pomegranate molasses: Offers a complex, sweet-tart syrupy drizzle that pairs beautifully for a Middle Eastern twist.
Pure maple syrup: For those who like a touch of natural sweetness without overpowering the sprouts.
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Brings a savory, nutty richness that melts slightly over the hot Brussels sprouts.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love sprinkling my Brussels sprouts with Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a savory-sweet combo that feels fancy but is easy enough for weeknights. But you should absolutely top yours however you like—don’t be shy to experiment.

Variation: Adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans after cooking gives a wonderful crunch contrast, which I first tried at a dinner party and instantly adored.
Seasonal twist: In the fall, I swap out maple syrup for a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar for a tangy note that pairs beautifully with roasted sweet potatoes.
Diet-friendly: This recipe is naturally gluten-free and can easily be made vegan by skipping the Parmesan or substituting with nutritional yeast.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Optional Toppings Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Brussels Sprouts Right

First off, you’ll want to trim off those little brown ends and peel off any yellowish, loose outer leaves. Cutting the sprouts in half ensures even cooking; if they’re big guys, quarter them so the pieces cook at the same pace. I've found that paying attention here helps get that perfect tender inside without burning the outside.

Step 2: Optional Soak for Tenderness

This is a tip I picked up along the way—soaking sprouts in warm water for about 10 minutes. It softens up the inner layers just enough to keep the center tender while still crisping the outside. I usually skip this step if I want a bit more bite, but it’s a nice trick if you prefer a truly soft middle.

Step 3: Toss with Oil and Seasonings

After draining and drying well (super important for crispiness!), toss your Brussels sprouts in a large bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper. This simple seasoning lets the natural flavor shine but supports that golden roast. I keep the garlic separate until the end so it crisps without burning.

Step 4: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 375° (I find preheating for about 3 minutes works great). Lay the sprouts in the basket and cook for 5 minutes, then give the basket a good shake. A second 5-minute cook usually gets them nicely browned—if not, a minute or two longer should do it. Then add the sliced garlic and cook another 2-4 minutes, shaking often to avoid burning and ensure even crispiness.

Step 5: Finish With Your Favorite Toppings

Once your Brussels sprouts are perfectly crisp, transfer them to a bowl and toss with any toppings you like — balsamic glaze, pomegranate molasses, a drizzle of maple syrup, or freshly grated Parmesan are all winners. I tend to mix and match depending on the mood, but my go-to is definitely Parmesan and balsamic glaze.

Top Tip

Over the years of making this recipe, a few things really improved my results — and I hope sharing these will help you too, so your Brussels sprouts always come out perfectly crisp without any burnt bits.

Dry Brussels Sprouts Thoroughly: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so pat the sprouts dry with a kitchen towel after washing or soaking.
Don't Overcrowd the Basket: Cook in a single layer if possible to allow the hot air to circulate and crisp each piece evenly.
Shake, Shake, Shake: Shaking the basket halfway through lets the sprouts brown beautifully on all sides, so don’t forget this step.
Add Garlic at the End: Garlic burns quickly; adding it during the last few minutes gives you that perfect golden, crunchy bite.

How to Serve Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Optional Toppings Recipe

air fryer Brussels sprouts - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For garnishes, I usually go for a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of balsamic glaze to add a bit of sweetness and tang. Sometimes, I toss on toasted pine nuts or a handful of pomegranate seeds for a pop of color and crunch. It’s a fun way to dress them up without complicating the flavors.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled steak, or even as a hearty side for pasta dishes. I particularly like it alongside garlic mashed potatoes or quinoa salad for a balanced meal that's both fresh and comforting.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun presentation at dinner parties, I’ve served these sprouts in a rustic bowl lined with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary. Adding edible flowers or microgreens on top gives an elegant touch. You can even serve them on mini skewers for an appetizer-style treat everyone loves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Brussels sprouts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just reheat gently so they don’t get soggy.

Freezing

I usually recommend skipping freezing if you want the best texture since Brussels sprouts get mushy when thawed. But if you have lots leftover, freezing is possible — store them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat Brussels sprouts without losing their crispness, spread them out on a baking sheet and warm in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving if you can; it tends to make them limp.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen Brussels sprouts for this Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Optional Toppings Recipe?

I recommend using fresh Brussels sprouts for the best texture and flavor. Frozen Brussels sprouts tend to release moisture and can turn mushy in the air fryer, making it harder to achieve that perfect crispiness. If you only have frozen on hand, make sure to dry them very well and consider a shorter cooking time with added monitoring.

How do I make sure my Brussels sprouts turn out crispy and not soggy?

The key is drying the Brussels sprouts thoroughly before cooking and avoiding overcrowding the air fryer basket so that air can circulate freely. Shaking the basket halfway through cooking helps all sides brown evenly. Adding garlic near the end prevents it from burning and adding bitterness.

Can I customize the toppings to suit dietary restrictions?

Absolutely! This Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Optional Toppings Recipe is very flexible. For a vegan option, omit Parmesan cheese or swap it with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. For a lower sugar version, skip the maple syrup and pomegranate molasses, or use a light drizzle of lemon juice instead.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers without losing crunch?

Reheating in the oven or air fryer is best to maintain the crispy texture. Heat them on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or air fry briefly at 360°F while keeping a close eye to prevent burning. Avoid microwaving, as it usually makes them soggy.

Final Thoughts

This Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Optional Toppings Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a little celebration every time I make it. It’s simple, fast, and endlessly adaptable — perfect for turning an everyday veggie into something you actually look forward to eating. Go ahead and give it a try; I’m pretty sure this will become a favorite in your kitchen too.