Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts: Time, Temp & How To

Brussels sprouts are why people buy air fryers. The tight outer leaves crisp like potato chips, the centers go tender, and the whole thing happens in 14 minutes — a third the time of a sheet pan in the oven. The key is cutting them in half and getting the cut side down for at least part of the cook.

Temperature

380°F

(195°C)

Cook Time

14 min

no flipping

Doneness

tender inside, charred and crisp outside

Oven equivalent: 400°F (204°C) for 22 minutes. Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes for best results. A light spray of oil helps with browning.

How to air fry brussels sprouts

Trim the stem ends and cut each sprout in half through the stem. Discard any loose outer leaves.
Toss with 1.5 tablespoons olive oil per pound, salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder.
Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 380°F.
Place sprouts cut-side down in the basket in a single layer. Cook for 7 minutes.
Shake or stir. Cook another 7 minutes (14 total).
Pull when outer leaves are deeply browned and crisp, centers tender when pierced.

Tips that actually matter

Cut-side down for the first half of the cook gets you the best caramelization on the flat surface.
Loose leaves that fall off in the basket become Brussels chips. Embrace it.
A drizzle of balsamic glaze at the end is essentially cheating, in a good way.
Cut sprouts of similar size — big ones halved, very large ones quartered — so they cook evenly.

Common mistakes

Crowding. Sprouts steaming each other instead of crisping is the most common failure mode.
Going too low on oil. Sprouts need fat to caramelize the outer leaves; skimping leaves them dry.
Not preheating. You miss the initial sear that browns the cut side.
Cooking whole. Whole sprouts have less surface area exposed to the heat. Halving doubles the crispy parts.

Variations

Bacon Brussels: dice 2 strips of bacon and toss with the sprouts. The fat renders and coats everything.
Parmesan: sprinkle 2 tbsp grated parm in the last 2 minutes.
Balsamic: drizzle 1 tbsp balsamic glaze right after cooking, off the heat.
Honey-soy: 1 tbsp soy + 1 tsp honey tossed with cooked sprouts off the heat.

Cooking something else?

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Frequently asked questions

How long to air fry Brussels sprouts?

14 minutes at 380°F. Cut them in half first; cut-side down for the first 7 minutes gets you crispy caramelized surfaces. Shake at halftime.

Should you cut Brussels sprouts in half before air frying?

Yes. Halved sprouts have more cut surface area, which means more places for the air fryer to char and caramelize. Whole sprouts come out softer with less crispness.

Why are my Brussels sprouts soggy in the air fryer?

Almost certainly overcrowding. Sprouts piled on top of each other steam. Cook in a single layer; do two batches if needed. Also check that you used enough oil.

Can you air fry frozen Brussels sprouts?

Yes. Cook at 400°F for 18-20 minutes. They won't get as crispy as fresh because they release more moisture, but they're still much better than boiled.

What temperature for Brussels sprouts in the air fryer?

380°F (195°C) is the sweet spot. Hot enough to char, low enough that the inside cooks through before the outside burns.

How do you keep Brussels sprouts crispy?

Don't cover them after cooking. Don't toss them in sauce until you're ready to eat. Hot air keeps them crisp; trapped steam softens them within minutes.