The best way to make fried brussels sprouts is with the air fryer! These Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are cooked to golden brown, crispy perfection with just a bit of oil and fresh lemon juice, then they’re served with savory parmesan cheese.  They’re a healthy side dish or appetizer that’s ready in about 20 minutes!

Air fryer brussels sprouts in a bowl with lemon and parmesan

I’ve always loved brussels sprouts, so I eat them in any way, shape or form.

I’m crazy about them raw in this shaved brussels sprout salad, and my brussels sprouts with bacon is one of my favorite side dishes.

Then there are these Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts. They’re addictively crispy, and they’re so much healthier than the fried brussels sprouts you get at restaurants.

My trusty air fryer eliminates the need for oil. I’ve used just a tiny bit of heart healthy oil to promote browning, and the brussels sprouts come out perfectly golden brown and crispy every single time.

They have the brightness of fresh lemon juice and they’re finished with parmesan cheese for a deliciously healthy side dish or snack.

Be sure to check out my collection of air fryer recipes for more tasty ideas!

Air fryer brussels sprouts with parmesan in a serving bowl

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Crisp and flavorful. Brussels sprouts in the air fryer are golden brown and crispy with the bright, fresh flavor of lemon and savory parmesan cheese.
  • Healthy. Air fried brussels sprouts are low in fat, making them a healthy alternative to the fried brussels sprouts in restaurants.
  • Easy. This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prep, the brussels sprouts cook up in about 15 minutes, and clean up is a breeze.
  • Customizable. This recipe is completely customizable with your favorite herbs and spices, flavorings such as balsamic vinegar, and the cheese may be omitted to make it dairy-free.

Recipe ingredients

There are only 4 ingredients in this air fryer brussels sprouts with parmesan, so they come together very quickly.

Air fryer brussels sprouts recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes

  • Brussels sprouts. You’ll need 1 lb. of brussels sprouts for this recipe. Cut them in half and remove any tough outer leaves prior to tossing them in oil.
  • Olive oil. One tablespoon of olive oil is plenty to create crispy brussels sprouts! Sub with your favorite oil.
  • Lemon juice. Adds bright, fresh flavor, but it’s completely optional.
  • Parmesan cheese. Adds savory flavor. Omit to make this recipe dairy-free.

How to make brussels sprouts in the air fryer

This recipe is extremely easy and takes about 5 minutes of prep time.

Pro tip: Prep the brussels sprouts up to a few days in advance to save time on busy weeknights!

See the recipe card below for full instructions.

How to make brussels sprouts in air fryer
  • Trim, halve and remove outer leaves of the brussels sprouts.  Toss with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Place the brussels sprouts in the air fryer. Cook at 390 degrees for about 15 minutes, tossing about every 5 minutes.
  • Toss the brussels sprouts with parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Air fryer brussels sprouts in a bowl with parmesan cheese

FAQs

Are air fryer brussels sprouts healthier than fried brussels sprouts?

We all love crispy brussels sprouts right?  The problem is that most fried brussels sprouts are very unhealthy because they’re fried in an excessive amount of refined oils.

Air fried brussels sprouts require little to no oil, it’s safe to use heart healthy olive oil because they’re cooked at a low temperature, and they’re golden brown and crispy in about 15 minutes.

Do I need to use high heat oil for air fryer brussels sprouts?

These air fryer brussels sprouts are cooked at a lower temperature of 390 degrees, so there’s no need to use a high heat oil such as avocado oil or coconut oil.

Why did my brussels sprouts burn in the air fryer?

All air fryer temperatures vary, so keep a close eye on your brussels sprouts to prevent them from burning. For best results, toss them every 5 minutes or so and check for doneness between 12 and 15 minutes.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer brussels sprouts make a healthy side dish or appetizer.  

Recipe notes

  • Pro tip: Prep the brussels sprouts up to a few days in advance to save time on busy weeknights!
  • My brussels sprouts were perfectly charred and crispy after 15 minutes, but all air fryers vary. Begin checking for doneness around 10 minutes and continue cooking accordingly until the brussels sprouts have the desired level of crispness.
  • Store leftover brussels sprouts in an air tight container for up to 3 days. Note that they will soften once they’re stored.
  • Change things up by tossing them in some balsamic vinegar. They’d also be great tossed in soy sauce or coconut aminos and finished with sesame oil!
Air fried brussels sprouts in a white bowl with serving spoon

More brussels sprout recipes you’ll enjoy:

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

Air fryer brussels sprouts in a bowl with parmesan cheese

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are golden brown and addictively crispy with the flavors of lemon and parmesan. They're a healthy side dish or appetizer that's ready in about 20 minutes!
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Ingredients

  • 1 lb. brussels sprouts trimmed, outer leaves removed and halved
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese omit to make this recipe vegan and dairy-free

Instructions 

  • Toss the brussels sprouts with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl until well coated.
    1 lb. brussels sprouts, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Place the brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket and select 390 degrees and set for 15 minutes. Press the Start button and pause the air fryer 2-3 times during the cooking time to toss the brussels sprouts for more even cooking.
  • After cooking, toss the crispy brussels sprouts with the parmesan cheese and serve immediately. Enjoy!
    1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Notes

  • Pro tip: Prep the brussels sprouts up to a few days in advance to save time on busy weeknights!
  • My brussels sprouts were perfectly charred and crispy after 15 minutes, but all air fryers vary. Begin checking for doneness around 10 minutes and continue cooking accordingly until the brussels sprouts have the desired level of crispness.
  • Store leftover brussels sprouts in an air tight container for up to 3 days. Note that they will soften once they’re stored.
    Change things up by tossing them in some balsamic vinegar. They’d also be great tossed in soy sauce or coconut aminos and finished with sesame oil!

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25lb., Calories: 98kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 137mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

**This post was originally published in March 2020. The photos have been updated, and the text has been modified to include more recipe information.

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