Name: Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 23 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1lb/450g frozen Brussels sprouts; 1 Tablespoon lemon zest, divided; 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and pepper; Shaved parsman to serve

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Crispy air fryer Brussel sprouts using frozen Brussels sprouts. Finished off with tangy lemon zest and shaved parmesan cheese.

Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts make a delicious and easy side dish for a busy weeknight, and you can use frozen Brussels sprouts to do it! The best way to cook Brussels sprouts is to firstly, cook them through so they’re soft inside and secondly to make the outside crispy!

When the outer leaves are deeply browned and crispy it gives an almost caramel-like flavor which complements the slightly bitter taste of the Brussels sprout.

Fresh or frozen Brussels sprouts

This recipe is for air fryer frozen Brussel sprouts but you can absolutely use fresh ones too.

The main difference is that using fresh will give a crispier texture to the roasted sprouts as there is less moisture in fresh Brussel sprouts.

Fresh Brussels sprouts will need less cooking time than frozen.

Are frozen Brussels sprouts healthy?

Yes! Frozen vegetables are usually frozen at their prime and frozen very soon after harvesting. This means they generally keep many of their nutrients. Frozen Brussels sprouts may be blanched before freezing. This means it’s slightly cooked prior to freezing, and the frozen sprouts will be softer than fresh.

For this reason in the cooking process, they are air fried at the hottest temperature that the air fryer can do. This is to encourage crisping of the outside, rather than softening the inside.

The ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients for this easy recipe. Find the full list of ingredient amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here is a rundown of what you will need.

Brussels sprouts – Fresh or frozen. If using fresh Brussels sprouts, the large whole Brussel sprouts can be chopped in half. Frozen Brussels sprouts can be left as they are.
Lemon zest – Both while the sprouts are roasted and some to finish off the dish
Garlic powder (optional) or your favorite seasonings
A little olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or other vegetable oil of your choosing.
Sea salt and black pepper
Freshly shaved parmesan cheese for serving.
Balsamic glaze (optional, but delicious with roasted sprouts!)

Equipment

Air fryer – These crispy Brussels sprouts are made in a 5.8-quart air fryer. Preheat the air fryer before adding in the Brussels sprouts so it can start blowing hot air right away when it’s cooking.

Method

Frozen Brussels sprouts

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C.

In a medium mixing bowl add the frozen Brussels sprouts. Drizzle over olive oil, lemon zest, garlic powder, and a little salt and pepper. Toss it together to coat.

Lay the Brussels sprouts out in a single layer in the basket of an air fryer. Don’t cram them in too close together if you’re making a large batch. They need space for the hot air to circulate around each sprout.

Fry the Brussels sprouts for around 16-20 minutes in total, removing the basket and giving it a shake at the 10-minute mark. The cook time will depend on personal preference but don’t be afraid to get some deep golden brown caramelization on the outsides of the sprouts.

Fresh Brussels sprouts

Chop fresh Brussels sprouts in half, then toss with olive oil, lemon zest, garlic powder, and seasoning. Lay the Brussels sprouts out in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

Fry fresh Brussels sprouts at 375°F/190°C for 10-15 minutes, tossing the basket every 5 minutes. Fresh Brussels sprouts need less time than frozen as there is less water to evaporate. The cooking time also depends on the size of the sprouts. Fry them until tender inside and crispy and deep brown on the outside. Keep a close eye on them as they fry until they are browned to your liking.

If your sprouts are browned but not tender enough yet, lower the heat to 350°F/180°C and cook for a few additional minutes more until tender.

Serving and storing

This makes a perfect side dish for your main meal. Serve the Brussels sprouts with extra lemon zest and a generous amount of finely shaved parmesan. For something a little different, add on a drizzle of sticky balsamic vinegar glaze.

Store leftover Brussels sprouts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the air fryer at 350°F/180°C for 3-4 minutes, shaking the basket regularly.

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Yield: 1lb