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Air fryer frozen Brussels sprouts are a convenient and delicious side dish that require minimal prep time and take just 15 minutes to cook in the air fryer. Enjoy them on their own or with an easy and flavorful glaze!
If you’ve ever wondered if you can cook frozen Brussels sprouts in the air fryer, the answer is yes! And it’s one of the easiest and quickest ways to cook them.
While frozen veggies, including Brussels sprouts, sometimes get soggy if you try to roast them in the oven, the air fryer guarantees crispy results!
In a cook time of just 15 minutes, frozen sprouts get tender and caramelized with deliciously crispy edges in the air fryer basket. This makes them the perfect quick and easy side dish for busy weeknights.
The air fryer is actually one of our favorite ways to cook frozen vegetables or other foods from frozen. Some of our go-to recipes include these air fryer frozen meatballs, air fryer frozen french fries and air fryer frozen pierogies!
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Why you'll love this recipe for frozen brussel sprouts
- Frozen Brussels sprouts are blanched before freezing so they’re partially cooked already. This means they cook super fast in the air fryer. All you need is 10-15 minutes and this is one of the easiest air fryer recipes ever.
- There is no need to wash, cut or trim the leaves on frozen Brussels. They’re ready to cook straight out the bag. The only prep work required is for the glaze and that can be made while the Brussels sprouts are air frying.
- Frozen Brussels sprouts actually cook more evenly than fresh, and since there are no loose leaves, they won’t burn as easily either.
- A bag of frozen Brussels sprouts is more budget friendly compared to fresh, and they’re available year round too.
Ingredients
For the full list of ingredients and quantities to make frozen brussels sprouts in the air fryer, please see the recipe card below.
You’ll need 12 ounces of frozen Brussels sprouts for this recipe. They’re readily available in the freezer section of grocery stores.
The Brussels sprouts are seasoned with a simple mix of olive oil, salt and pepper. You can enjoy them on their own, but I like to add some chopped homemade roasted chestnuts and a glaze.
You can buy packages of roasted chestnuts, so no need to worry about roasting your own! While some chopped roasted chestnuts are optional for this recipe, I love the sweet flavor they add to this dish.
For the glaze, you’ll need bacon grease, garlic, thyme, white wine vinegar, shallots, apple juice and brown sugar.
The white wine vinegar and the apple juice add a tangy flavor to the glaze that pairs well with the Brussels sprouts.
Variations and substitutions
- If you don’t have bacon fat, you can use butter or duck fat in the glaze. Substitute olive oil or avocado oil to make this recipe vegan.
- To save time, you can leave off the glaze and just toss the Brussels sprouts with some bacon and parmesan cheese when they come out of the air fryer.
- The roasted chestnuts are optional. While they add a nice flavor, they are not required for the overall dish.
- Substitute onions for the shallots, or omit them if needed.
- If you don’t have white wine vinegar, you can substitute red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
- You can use a drizzle of balsamic glaze or balsamic vinegar as well.
Step by step instructions for air fryer frozen brussels sprouts
- Toss the frozen sprouts in a bowl with the oil, salt and pepper.
- Place in a even layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 375°F for 10-15 minutes, checking for doneness after 10 minutes. They will be slightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside when done.
- While the Brussels are cooking, combine all the glaze ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer for 1-2 minutes, until it thickens slightly. Set aside.
- Remove the Brussels sprouts from the air fryer and place in a bowl. Pour the glaze on top and toss/mix until the Brussels sprouts are coated. Serve hot.
Expert tips
- After 10 minutes, check on the Brussels sprouts. If they’re browning too much on one side, flip them over in the basket. If brussels sprouts are crispy and fork tender, they're ready.
- To ensure the they caramelize and get crispy around the edges, air fry the sprouts in a single layer to cook evenly.
- If you have a small air fryer, you may need to air fry the Brussels sprouts in two batches. If they’re overlapping, they’ll take longer to get crispy and you’ll need to shake the basket to flip them over a few times.
- If your Brussels sprouts are on the larger side, you may need to air fry them a little longer.
- If your air fryer model requires preheating, you should do so before adding the frozen Brussels sprouts.
- Different air fryer brands and models will vary slightly, so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.
Frequently asked questions
No, for the best results do not thaw frozen Brussels sprouts before air frying. They may end up a little soggy and mushy.
Frozen Brussels sprouts are already trimmed, and since we’re air frying these Brussels sprouts whole, there’s no need to cut them in half either.
If you air fry them long enough so they are fork tender with crispy outer leaves, they shouldn’t taste bitter. The sweet and tangy glaze will also help remove any bitter flavor.
Since frozen Brussels sprouts just take 10-15 minutes to cook in the air fryer, I don’t recommend air frying them in advance. You can, however, make the glaze in advance and reheat it while the Brussels sprouts are air frying.
You can serve Brussels sprouts as a side dish with just about anything! We love them paired with air fryer baked potatoes and sous vide sirloin, but they’re also delicious for a holiday meal of sous vide ham or slow roasted turkey thighs and some sour cream mashed potatoes and Instant Pot carrots.
Store leftover Brussels sprouts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat leftover Brussels sprouts with the glaze, I recommend heating them in a skillet on the stovetop.
If you have some that are leftover without the glaze, you can reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
More side dish Brussels sprouts recipes
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Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 12 ounces frozen Brussels sprouts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped roasted chestnuts optional
Glaze:
- 1 ½ tablespoons bacon grease substitute butter or duck fat
- 1 garlic clove chopped
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 shallots thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons apple juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Mix the Brussels sprouts in a bowl with the oil, salt and pepper.
- Cook in the air fryer at 375°F for 10-15 minutes, checking for doneness after 10 minutes.
- While the Brussels are cooking, combine all the glaze ingredients in a saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer for 1-2 minutes, until it thickens slightly. Set aside.
- Remove the Brussels sprouts from the air fryer and place in a bowl.
- Pour the glaze on top and toss/mix until the Brussels sprouts are coated. Serve hot.
Expert Tips:
- After 10 minutes, check on the Brussels sprouts. If they’re browning too much on one side, flip them over in the basket. If brussels sprouts are crispy and fork tender, they're ready.
- To ensure the they caramelize and get crispy around the edges, air fry the sprouts in a single layer to cook evenly.
- If you have a small air fryer, you may need to air fry the Brussels sprouts in two batches. If they’re overlapping, they’ll take longer to get crispy and you’ll need to shake the basket to flip them over a few times.
- If your Brussels sprouts are on the larger side, you may need to air fry them a little longer.
- If your air fryer model requires preheating, you should do so before adding the frozen Brussels sprouts.
- Different air fryer brands and models will vary slightly, so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.
Nutrition
thera says
Ultra easy. I like my brussels a little more done in the middle, but these were still really good.
Danielle says
I'm right with you 🙂
kathy says
These came out great! I didn't have any chestnuts so I left them out, but they were still delicious.
Danielle says
That's great - thanks!