Your Air Fryer Is The Secret To Perfectly Crisp Brussels Sprouts

For too long Brussels sprouts have gotten a bad rap, but they can bring delightful presence to a dining experience when cooked properly. In an air fryer, these cruciferous vegetables shine, turning crispy and sometimes even becoming caramelized. So long as your air fryer's settings are properly adjusted, you avoid overcrowding your air fryer (a common mistake), and you've properly seasoned your sprouts, there's no reason why Brussels sprouts shouldn't become your new favorite healthy dinner addition.

To make perfect crispy and crunchy Brussels sprouts in your air fryer begin by gathering your ingredients: Brussels sprouts, olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you might fancy. Curry powder and garlic make for a nice combo if you're going for something more zesty, and honey with balsamic vinegar is a classic choice to achieve a more glazed and caramelized result. Clip the ends of the sprouts then halve them before tossing them with olive oil and spices.

Cook the Brussels sprouts in your air fryer at 375 F for five minutes before giving them a good shake. Air roast the sprouts for another five minutes then toss them once more. At this point, they should be close to al dente, but feel free to cook the sprouts for 5 to 10 minutes longer if you prefer them to be fully tender within. The goal is to get the sprouts succulent on the inside and crispy on the outside, without being overly charred.

Although air fryers have been on the U.S. market for more than a decade, they've shot up in popularity in recent years, with nearly ⅔ of American households owning a device. They draw in consumers due to their convenience (they can cut down baking time by up to 25%) and versatility. Air fryers succeed in cooking everything from garlic bread to bacon. These devices also thrive when tasked with bringing vegetables to life, particularly firm ones that can easily take an hour or more to cook thoroughly in an oven.

With a high capacity air fryer, hard vegetables like Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, beets, potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, and butternut squash can be on your plate in less than 30 minutes. From fresh to frozen or somewhere in between, air fryers also succeed in enhancing dishes that have already been cooked. This includes air roasting fries to enhance their crispy exterior and reheating green beans for maximum crunchiness. So don't write off veggies yet – give them a go in your air fryer and see how tasty and easy it can be to get your 5 A Day in.