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4.8 from 24 votes

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

The air fryer makes these Brussels sprouts perfectly crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and the mildly spicy honey butter glaze makes them IRRESISTIBLE! An EASY side dish for busy weeknights, family dinners, or Thanksgiving that's ready FAST! Oven baking instructions also provided.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 254 kcal
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds fresh Brussel sprouts trimmed and halved (normal sized rather than jumbo sprouts are recommended)
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; divided*
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika regular may be substituted
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons chili powder or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste (omit if very sensitive to spicy foods)
  • Flaky sea salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat air fryer to 375F.
  2. Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts.
  3. Optionally, if you want to blanche the sprouts to preserve the green color OR if you want more well-cooked and softer interiors rather than crisp-tender, then blanche them by adding them to boiling water, boil for 3 minutes, promptly remove, drain over a colander, shake them well to remove, and then continue to step 4.
  4. Toss all the Brussels sprouts in 4 tablespoons melted butter.*
  5. Add half the sprouts to your air fryer and air fry for about 8 minutes.
  6. Open the air fryer, toss and flip the sprouts, optionally spray with olive oil cooking spray for extra crispiness, and air fry for approximately 7 more minutes. Tips - If you blanched them, you may need to cook them the full 7 minutes. Start checking after 2 to 3 minutes. Make sure to air fry and cook as necessary in your air fryer given your model, preference, for crispiness, crowding level of your basket, and so forth. Don't be afraid to cook for more or less time, as you deem necessary. You may need to experiment with the exact air frying time.
  7. While waiting, make the glaze in a microwave-safe bowl or glass measuring cup by combining the remaining 4 tablespoons melted butter with the honey, zest, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and heat for 1 minute on high power.
  8. After the sprouts are done air frying, transfer them to a large bowl, and top with half the glaze, making sure to reserve the remainder for the second round of sprouts.
  9. Optionally, you can air fry the glazed sprouts for 1 to 2 minutes to help set the glaze a bit and lightly caramelize it.
  10. Set the glazed sprouts aside and repeat the process with the other half the raw Brussels sprouts, tossing them in the remaining melted butter, air frying for 8 minutes, flipping and air frying again for about 7 minutes, glazing, and optionally air fryer another 1 to 2 minutes before serving. Brussels sprouts are best warm and fresh. Leftovers will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days although they will not be as crispy. Reheat gently in the microwave or you can attempt to recrisp them a bit by air frying them again for a few minutes. I have never frozen the leftovers.

Notes

  • *You will be air frying the sprouts more than likely in 2 batches unless you have a double basket air fryer. For each batch, you should drizzle and toss the sprouts in 2 tablespoons of butter before air frying.
  • You can try using less butter, and you can also try using olive oil. For me, the sprouts don't achieve the same texture or flavor with either less butter nor by using oil.
  • The final 4 tablespoons melted butter is reserved for the sweet and spicy glaze.
  • **To make Brussels sprouts in the oven, follow the basic gist of my Balsamic Brussels Sprouts recipe, roasting the sprouts until they're about 95% done, about 25 minutest at 400F. At this point, remove the baking sheet from the oven and remove sprouts from the baking sheet, add them to a large bowl, pour the hot honey butter and chili powder glaze over them, toss to coat evenly, and bake for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until as done as desired.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 254kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 28g (9%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 41mg (14%) Sodium 277mg (12%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 18g (36%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 254

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 254kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 28g 9%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g 29%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 41mg 14%
Sodium 277mg 12%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 18g 36%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.