Air fryers are a godsend to home cooks, thanks to their ability to circulate hot air in a confined space. They’re perfect for roasting vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts are no exception. But how long do you need to cook them before they burn?
For fresh Brussels sprouts, you can cook them in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Frozen sprouts take 12-15 minutes to cook at the same temperature.
If that sounds too simple, don’t worry. We’ll look in detail at the best way of cooking Brussels sprouts to ensure their deliciousness.
How Do You Cook Brussels Sprouts in an Air Fryer?
Cooking Brussels sprouts in the air fryer is similar to oven-cooking. The only difference is space – you can’t fit as much in an air fryer as you would in an oven.
Cut the tough end and remove any damaged outer leaves to prepare the sprouts. Feel free to cut them in half if you want, then give them a quick rinse. Pat dry, then place evenly on the air fryer basket.
From here, it’s up to you whether you want to drizzle or spray them with some oil. Regardless of your choice, flip each piece halfway through the cooking process. Doing so ensures even browning on both sides.
Once your 12 or 15-minute timer is done (depending on whether you’re cooking fresh or frozen sprouts), remove them from the air fryer to prevent burning.
Garnish as desired and enjoy.
Do You Need To Preheat an Air Fryer?
Although there’s no hard and fast requirement to preheat your air fryer, it’s recommended that you do so.
The times mentioned above are based on a preheated air fryer, so they will take longer to cook if you don’t wait for the basket.
If you’re cooking your sprouts without preheating, make sure you periodically check them. Failure to do so might result in an undercooked or burned sprout, which is unpleasant.
You’ll end up with bitter sprouts, and nobody wants that.
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How Long To Cook Frozen Brussels Sprouts in an Air Fryer?
Cooking frozen Brussels sprouts isn’t that much different from a fresh one, with the main difference being time.
Because the heat must melt the ice first, the sprouts must be in the air fryer for about three more minutes. That brings the total cooking time to 15 minutes.
If you’re not preheating your air fryer, you might have a cooking time of almost 20 minutes. You must account for the time the hot air takes to circulate fully within the basket.
How Long To Cook Fresh Brussels Sprouts in an Air Fryer?
If you have some fresh sprouts instead of frozen ones, it’ll only take 10-12 minutes to cook them to perfection.
Make sure you flip each piece halfway through and that they’re not overcrowded in the basket. If they are, consider splitting them into several batches.
How Do You Tell if Brussels Sprouts Are Done Cooking?
Because Brussels sprouts are all different sizes, it can be hard to judge if all pieces are cooked once the timer is done.
And while it’s easy to put them back in for another minute or two, you risk overcooking them.
The best way to judge them is through a quick visual inspection. Once you see some browning on the surface and the edges look crispy, it’s time to flip them. And if they’ve already been flipped, it’s time to take them out.
But if you can’t see any browning, feel free to poke them around with a fork. Confirm that the edges are crispy on both sides.
If not, flip them over and give them a few more minutes in the air fryer before checking again.
Can You Eat Undercooked Sprouts?
Unless you’re used to eating raw vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, eating an undercooked one might be unpleasantly bitter. However, it’s perfectly fine for you to eat undercooked ones or even raw ones.
Doing so is not different from eating raw broccoli or cabbage, which are in the same family.
The only downside is you might have more stomach gas than intended. Cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, contain a fiber that’s difficult to digest when uncooked or undercooked.
You’ll have excess gas at best, but at worst, it could give you a stomachache.
What Do You Serve With Brussels Sprouts?
Brussels sprouts are usually served as a side dish, so they can go with almost anything. You can also enjoy them on their own, garnished with savory toppings such as cheese or bacon bits.
To help kickstart your ideas, here are a few ways to serve Brussels sprouts:
On Its Own
Sprouts are so versatile that you can enhance them as they cook in the air fryer. You can sprinkle them with minced garlic as you flip them while cooking, leaving you with a perfectly garlicky product. If you’re keeping things simple, a dollop of butter also does the trick.
If you have more prep time, you can also serve shaved sprouts. If you have guests who usually dislike sprouts, serving them in a different format might help convert them into sprouts eaters.
Salmon
Salmon is an excellent receptacle for robust sauces, so why not pair it with some sprouts? Maple-glazed or lemon-garlic salmon will work well with some crispy, roasted Brussels sprouts.
On the flip side, if you have a salmon that’s a bit light on flavor, let your roasted Brussels sprouts pick up the slack.
Sprinkle them with garlic and some Parmesan cheese before serving; they’ll undoubtedly bring your otherwise dull salmon to life.
Read also >> How Long to Cook Salmon in Air Fryer? (Incl. Video + Recipe)
Bacon-wrapped Pork Chops
Savory bacon and juicy pork chops might sound delicious, but imagine them with lemony or cheesy roasted sprouts.
Not only do you have vegetables to help break up the intense flavors from the bacon, but the sprouts can also compliment the pork chops’ flavor profile.
Pot Roast
Perhaps the quintessential Brussels sprouts pairing, a hearty serving of pot roast hits the spot. The crispiness of the roasted sprouts gives a lovely contrast to the tenderness of the beef roast, along with the other vegetables.
And depending on how you season the sprouts, they can provide a nice jolt of flavor to an otherwise mellow roast.
Mac and Cheese
This may not be your first choice when looking for Brussels sprouts pairing, but hear us out. The creaminess of the Mac and Cheese can get overwhelming for some people, so what better way to counter that than with a crispy, zesty sprout?
To get the desired effect, cook your sprouts with something strongly-flavored, such as garlic, lemon, or bacon. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar will also do the trick.
Or if you want to go even cheesier, why not grate and melt some cheese on top of your Brussels sprouts?
Read also >> How Long to Cook Burgers in an Air Fryer (Recipe + Tips)
How Do You Store Leftover Brussels Sprouts?
If you’ve cooked too many Brussels sprouts and you don’t feel like serving them in your next meal, don’t worry. Sprouts will keep for a while as long as you store them properly.
Place roasted sprouts in an airtight container once they’re completely cool, then store them in the refrigerator or the freezer. They’ll last between 3-4 days if they’re in the fridge. If you freeze them, they can last for up to 10 months.
As with any leftovers, always give them a quick inspection first before serving them again. Refrigerator-stored sprouts can still go bad; you’ll quickly detect this with a sniff. If they start smelling a bit off or sour, throw them away.
To reheat them, feel free to use your air fryer again. Regardless of whether they’re frozen or not, you don’t have to cook your leftover Brussels sprouts for as long as you initially did.
You’re good to go as long as they become crispy again without burning.
Final Thoughts
Brussels sprouts get a bad reputation as a vegetable and a side dish, but it doesn’t need to be. When prepared and seasoned correctly, it’s delicious enough to stand alone or as a complimentary side dish.
So the next time you want to spice up your dinner time serving, grab a bag of sprouts and set your air fryer to work. You’ll be surprised at the world of flavors you’ll unlock with such a small amount of time.
References
https://www.thekitchn.com/air-fryer-brussels-sprouts-23002775
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/air-fryer-brussels-sprouts