Here's an easy, under-30-minute recipe for crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with balsamic vinegar, delivering crave-worthy, restaurant-style char in a fraction of the oven time. With caramelized, crispy edges and a buttery, tender core, this low-carb side dish is effortless for weeknight dinners yet fancy enough for special occasions!
Want to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
I love Brussels sprouts for their versatility. They're one of the few vegetables that stay crisp in the refrigerator for up to a week and a half.
But getting Brussels sprouts truly crispy on the stovetop or in the oven takes 40 minutes and a scorching pan. In the air fryer, you get that crispy exterior in just 15 minutes-caramelized leaves on the outside and a tender core inside.
I toss them with a touch of oil, cracked pepper, and tangy balsamic vinegar that caramelizes right on the cut edges. This is the ultimate hands-off, low-carb side dish, whether you're pairing them with grilled tandoori skewers or serving them alongside a warm bowl of dal. (I served these with my Chana Dal last week, and my girls devoured them!)
Here is the foolproof method (tested across multiple air fryer basket styles) to guarantee they never turn out soggy.
Jump to:
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This easy, healthy side dish is ready in just over 20 minutes. Below are some key reasons to try these Brussels sprouts!
- This is a low-carb option. Total carbs are 11g minus 4g of fiber, for 7g net carbs per serving. I love it!
- Naturally vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
- This versatile vegetable pairs well with grilled entrees and also goes great with Indian Dal and rice/ roti! Try them out with my Grilled Lamb Chops, Tandoori Chicken Drums, or dal palak (Spinach Dal).
- Ready in 22-25 minutes, making them perfect for weeknights!
Check out more Air Fryer Vegetables
Ingredients- Notes & Substitutions
All it takes to make these balsamic-glazed Brussels sprouts is a handful of easily available ingredients you can find at your nearest grocery store. Here's what you need:
- Brussels sprouts: Brussels sprouts stay fresh in your refrigerator for up to a week and a half. When you buy them, avoid any buds that are yellowing. The fresh ones have vibrant green leaves that are tightly closed.
- Oil: You can use avocado or olive oil for this recipe. Avocado oil works well in the air fryer because it has a high smoke point and handles high heat.
- Seasoning: Brussel sprouts can taste delicious with a variety of seasonings. Salt, black pepper, and balsamic vinegar are all we need for this recipe. Try the balsamic vinegar in this recipe, or mix it up and try one of the alternative seasoning options below.
Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Cook Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Check out this easy 3-step process to make brussel sprouts in the air fryer with balsamic vinegar:
Step 1: Rinse and dry Brussels sprouts. Remove the bruised and wilted outer leaves. Cut the sprouts in half and add them to a large bowl.
Texture Tip: If you prefer a slightly more tender core, soak the halved sprouts in water for 10 minutes before air-frying.
Step 2: Add oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper, and toss the Brussels sprouts to coat with seasoning.
Step 3: Preheat the air fryer at 375°F for 2 minutes. Spread the brussel sprouts in the fryer basket in a single layer, without overcrowding them. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to roast them in 2 batches. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Serving Suggestion
Crispy balsamic Brussels sprouts make a great side dish for a variety of entrees. Try them with Grilled Lamb Chops, Mediterranean Chicken, or a Tandoori Chicken Drums recipe. They also pair well with Indian food, like Dal Palak (Spinach Dal) or Dal Tadka!
Other recipes you can try them with include Pesto Tortellini, Creamy Mushroom Pasta, or penne alla vodka.
Storing & Reheating
You can store leftover brussel sprouts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat your brussel sprouts, heat your air fryer to 375F and cook the brussel sprouts for 2-3 minutes.
Seasoning Variations
- Maple Glazed Brussel Sprouts: ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Mediterranean: ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Italian: 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning blend. Garnish with 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- Indian: ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon cayenne, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala
Recipe Tips & Testing Notes
- Remove wilted leaves: When cleaning brussel sprouts, remove any outer leaves that look bruised or wilted.
- Soak for a tender core: If you prefer brussel sprouts slightly more tender on the inside, soak them for 10 minutes prior to cooking.
- Don't overcrowd: Roast the Brussels sprouts in a single layer for best results. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to roast them in 2 batches.
- Customize seasoning: Adjust the seasoning to complement your meal using the seasoning variations above.
- Add a sweet finish: To finish them with a touch of sweetness, toss the roasted brussel sprouts with 1 teaspoon of honey or agave syrup (for vegan).
Frequently Asked Questions
You don't need to soak Brussels sprouts before cooking. You can simply rinse them in a large bowl of cold water and pat them dry. However, if you prefer a more tender core, soaking them for 10 minutes prior to cooking is a good idea.
Make sure your brussel sprouts are dry, and you use the right amount of oil to toss them. Also, spread them in a single layer and don't overcrowd the air fryer. Follow these tips, and you'll get crisp roasted results.
Many foods cook well in an air fryer, including brussel sprouts, many types of vegetables, chicken wings, flatbread pizza, and French fries, to name a few. Take a look at my full list of air fryer recipes here.
I wouldn't recommend using frozen brussel sprouts in this recipe. They would release too much liquid and would not crisp up as expected.
Air fry for 12-15 minutes at 375°F, flipping halfway through.
More Air Fryer Vegetables
These recipes are part of the Air Fryer Vegetables collection. Do check out more air fryer recipes on the blog.
📖 Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts (With Balsamic)
Want to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound brussel sprouts cleaned and halved
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Rinse and dry brussel sprouts. Remove the bruised and wilted outer leaves. Cut them in half and add to a large bowl.
- Add oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper and toss the brussel sprouts to coat with seasoning.
- Preheat the air fryer at 375°F for 2 minutes. Spread the brussel sprouts in the fryer basket in a single layer, without overcrowding them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to roast them in 2 batches. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping them half way through.
Notes
- Remove wilted leaves: When cleaning brussel sprouts, remove the outer leaves that seem bruised and wilted.
- Soak for a tender core: If you prefer brussel sprouts slightly more tender on the inside, soak them for 10 minutes prior to cooking.
- Don't overcrowd: For best results, roast the brussel sprouts in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to roast them in 2 batches.
- Customize seasoning: Adjust the seasoning to compliment your meal using the seasoning variations listed above.
- Add a sweet finish : To finish them with a touch of sweet, toss the roasted brussel sprouts with 1 teaspoon honey, or agave syrup (for vegan).
Joyce M Owens says
Wonderful directions and yummy brussel sprouts!
Aneesha says
Hi Joyce, thank you! I'm so happy you enjoyed them!