Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Move over soggy Brussels sprouts, this Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe is going to knock your socks off. With so much flavor, and so easy to make, this is a favorite side dish in our house for a reason. The air fryer gives just the right amount of crispiness to the edges, add the parmesan, and yummo!

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

I have been obsessed with Brussels sprouts ever since trying them at a local pizza place in Sacramento.

Before that, I was so used to the boiled Brussels sprouts my mum made as a kid that you wouldn't get me touching these things with a 10-foot barge pole. As far as I was concerned these soggy little cabbage heads were the devil's work.

Not anymore!

This recipe is made in the air fryer, which means you get that perfectly cooked middle and the edges get all nice and crispy. Add the parmesan, and that cheesy salty goodness just takes these little bites over the edge.

Why not pair with this air fryer meatloaf recipe?

Ingredients Needed

We are keeping it nice and simple here with ingredients.

You will need:

• brussels sprouts: duh, of course. These are best when they are a nice bright green color, don't grab them when the outside leaves are starting to wilt and turn yellow.
• grated parmesan cheese: personally I always grate my own parmesan cheese as I find the store-bought stuff can add a grainy texture I am not a fan of. But if you are time poor, or just can't be bothered, then go on ahead and grab that pre-grated stuff. Life is too short!
• butter: flavor!! Be sure to grab a good quality salted butter to make this even more delicious.
• garlic: I always used fresh in this recipe, however last time I made it I was feeling a wee bit lazy and used some dried garlic granules instead...and I wasn't mad with the flavor! Nice little pops of crunchy garlic, can't complain.
• salt and pepper: obligatory necessities.

Leftover Brussels sprouts? Try this bacon Brussels sprouts recipe next.

How To Make Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

Nice and easy here too.

To start, let's preheat the air fryer to 375F (180C).

Now we prep the Brussels sprouts. To do that simply trim off the stem end, and remove any leaves with brown spots or signs of yellow wilting. Chop the sprouts in half lengthwise to make sure the leaves don't fall off.

Pop the prepped sprouts into a large bowl along with the salt, pepper, melted butter and the minced garlic. Mix well, add in the grated parmesan and mix well again.

Once preheated, add the prepped sprouts to the air fryer, being sure to keep them in a single layer. Not having them in a single layer can lead to overcrowding can lead to a more soggy, less crispy result, which we definitely do not want. You may need to do this in multiple batches if you air fryer is on the smaller side.

Cook for about 6 minutes. They should be nice and crispy on the edges. If you like them to be even more crispy then shake the basket after 6 minutes and then pop on for another minute or two.

Serve up with some extra parmesan and you are good to go.

Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions

This is a super easy recipe to make, but I do have a couple of simple steps to ensure you end up with perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts

The main tips are:

• Keep an eye on the Brussels sprouts during the cooking process. Depending on their size and how powerful your air fryer power is, they may cook faster or slower. If you find they are cooking too fast or too slow then simply adjust the cooking time so you end up with your desired level of crispiness.
• Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and spices. I like to add paprika, chili powder, or lemon zest, depending on what I plan to serve the cooked Brussels sprouts with.

Serving Suggestions

Although these delicious little bites can be enjoyed as a snack all by themselves as healthy alternative to chips or fries, you might want to serve them in some other ways.

Why not try serving them:

• As a Side Dish: these make a fantastic side dish for various meals, from roasted meats to grilled chicken or fish.
• Salad Topping: you can chop them into smaller pieces and use them as a crunchy and flavorful topping for salads. The Parmesan cheese adds a nice depth and flavor to your greens.
• Appetizer: Serve these Brussels sprouts as an appetizer with a dipping sauce like aioli or ranch for a crowd-pleasing starter at parties or gatherings.
• Bowl or Plate: Create a nourishing veggie bowl or plate by combining them with other roasted or grilled vegetables, grains, and protein for a well-rounded meal.
• Brunch: Incorporate them into your brunch spread. They pair well with eggs or in a brunch bowl like this Cumin Spiced Farro Breakfast Bowl Recipe, and can also be a nutritious addition to your morning meal.

More Brussels Sprouts Recipes

Now that we know how to prep and cook them better we love Brussels sprouts around here.

Try them in this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Apple Salad with Miso Dressing or these Veggie Loaded Tater Tots next.

Recipe