Making Frozen Brussels Sprouts in the Air Fryer is a total game-changer! Air frying frozen Brussels sprouts results in crispy, tender sprouts loaded with flavor, and it's simple, too. With a few common ingredients and only 15 minutes of your time, you can have an easy side dish for serving with everything from roast chicken and steak to pasta, in salad, and more.
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Frozen Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Brussels sprouts are a veggie with a historically bad rap, but chances are, if you're here you know the truth: they are delicious. And, you don't need to cook them from fresh or heat up your oven to get the crispy-but-tender results you're looking for! Air fryer frozen Brussels sprouts are quick, easy, and make a great side dish for busy weeknights or the holidays.
You can cook these air fryer Brussels sprouts straight out of the freezer: no thawing needed. Plus, we'll give you step-by-step instructions and tips on how to customize them to match the flavor of whatever dinner you want to serve them with! Or, leave them as is for a simple-but-flavorful Brussels sprouts side dish that has the best texture and goes with everything.
Ingredients
- Frozen Brussels sprouts: We use Birds Eye brand, but any brand will do. Your local store brand should work well, too!
- Oil spray: We use avocado oil, but you can also use light olive oil. It is very important you do not use a cooking spray with additives. You want to use a natural oil in a spray bottle. Many aerosol cooking sprays run the risk of breaking down the non-stick coating of your air fryer. Refer to our comprehensive guide on Our Favorite Oils to use for Air Frying.
- Salt: In our experience, kosher salt works best.
- Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper always gives the best flavor!
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: For topping the sprouts. This is optional, but the nutty flavor of Parmesan pairs very well with Brussels sprouts.
- Balsamic Glaze: Like the Parmesan, this is optional. However, the sweet flavor of Balsamic Glaze is simply fantastic with sprouts. Perfect if you're planning on using your Brussels sprouts for a salad!
How to Cook Frozen Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer
Step 1 - Prepare the Basket: Before placing the frozen Brussels sprouts in your air fryer basket, spray the inside of the basket with oil. This prevents the sprouts from sticking to the basket.
Step 2 -Add the Sprouts: Pour the frozen Brussels sprouts directly into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid over-crowding the basket.
Step 3 - Seasoning: Give them a generous spray with your preferred oil spray, coating them evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then give the basket a good shake to distribute the seasonings evenly.
Step 4 - Air Fry: Air fry at 400°F for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. Adjust the time as needed to achieve the level of crispiness you prefer.
Step 5 - Serve and Enjoy! When the Brussels sprouts are lightly browned and heated through, carefully remove them from the air fryer to a plate using tongs or a spatula. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, if desired. Serve, and enjoy!
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Tips
- Cook from frozen – do not thaw first.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary so the frozen vegetables can properly brown.
- We used Birds Eye frozen Brussels sprouts, but any brand can be used. You can even use your own Brussels sprouts you froze from fresh.
- You can toss the sprouts with seasoning and oil in a separate large mixing bowl if you wish, but we find it easiest to simply mix them in the air fryer basket.
- Recipe time and temperature is based on a cold air fryer. If cooking multiple batches, check on them early, as they will cook more quickly than the first batch.
- It is not necessary to preheat your air fryer for this dish.
- Total time may vary depending on your specific air fryer model and size. You may need to adjust the timing according to your model.
- Remember to set a timer if your air fryer does not remind you to shake the basket halfway through cooking.
Brussels Sprouts Seasonings
For this recipe, we use a mix of salt, pepper, grated Parmesan cheese, and balsamic glaze to give the sprouts plenty of flavor. This makes them a perfect choice for pairing with just about any meal, from chicken and steak to seafood or even as an addition to pasta and salads!
However, you can also customize the seasonings in any way you prefer. For example, if you like garlic, a dash of garlic powder adds great flavor to sprouts or try Air Fryer Roasted Garlic for a special treat. Here are some more options to consider:
- Honey and Dijon mustard with simple salt and pepper, for a sweet-and-tangy twist
- Lemon and herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, and parsley; toss with melted butter after cooking for extra flavor
- Teriyaki glaze is great for tossing Brussels sprouts in, and perfect for serving over rice
- Drizzle with maple syrup and serve with crispy cooked bacon bits for a smoky and sweet combination. Check out our air fryer bacon recipe!
- Toss the Brussels sprouts with buffalo sauce for a tangy, spicy flavor or serve it along side as a fun dipping sauce!
Storing Instructions
If you have any leftovers, allow them to cool to room temp before storing. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, use the air fryer set to 350°F for 3-5 minutes until heated through and crisp.
FAQ
Yes, you can air fry fresh Brussels sprouts! See our recipe for Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, as well as our Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon!
Do not thaw the Brussels sprouts before air frying. For best results, it's actually preferable to air fry frozen Brussels sprouts straight out of the freezer without thawing them.
Yes! Brussels sprouts are a gluten-free and vegan snack. They are also low-carb, keto, and dairy-free! When adding toppings be sure to check the ingredients list of any toppings to be sure they meet your dietary restrictions.
Air Fryer Frozen Recipes
- Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
- Frozen Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Frozen Egg Rolls
- Air Fryer Frozen Potstickers
- Frozen Burrito in the Air Fryer
- Try all of our Air Fryer Frozen recipes!
If you enjoyed this easy air fryer recipe, please leave a comment and a rating below to let us know! And if you have any questions, ask away. We love to help!
Frozen Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound Frozen Brussels sprouts
- Oil spray we use avocado oil
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Grated Parmesan cheese for topping optional
- Balsamic glaze optional
Instructions
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Make sure to use a natural oil in a spray bottle, such as olive oil or avocado oil.Oil spray
- Pour the frozen Brussels sprouts into the air fryer basket.1 pound Frozen Brussels sprouts
- Spray Brussels sprouts evenly with oil spray and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Give the basket a good shake to distribute seasoning.½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Air Fry at 400°F for 15 minutes. Be sure to shake the basket halfway through air frying time.
- When lightly browned and heated through, remove from the air fryer to a serving plate.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of balsamic glaze if desired. Enjoy!Grated Parmesan cheese for topping, Balsamic glaze
Notes
- Cook from frozen – Do not thaw first.
- We used Birds Eye frozen Brussels sprouts, but any brand can be used.
- Air fryer brands vary, so you may have to adjust the cook time to your specific air fryer.
- Recipe time and temperature is based on a cold air fryer. If cooking in multiple batches, be sure to check on the remaining batches early, as they may cook more quickly. For more tips, see the above post.
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