Air fryer Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar are one of my favorite, gluten-free, dairy-free, veggie sides. Sweet, savory, and tangy, they turn out crisp around the edges and tender in the center and cook in less than 20 minutes. They’re perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to holiday meals!
Let’s be honest — Brussels sprouts are either hit or miss with people. But they just happen to be a huge hit at our house, especially during the holidays. They’re the kind of side that disappears fast once they hit the table!
Still, I kept hearing the same thing from friends and readers: air fryer Brussels sprouts can be tricky. They either burn before the centers soften or never get quite crispy enough. That bothered me, so I wanted to figure out what was going wrong and how to fix it.
After a few rounds of testing (and a few overly crispy attempts), I finally found the sweet spot: the right temperature, timing, and a splash of balsamic vinegar for that perfect balance of depth, caramelization, and crispiness. So simple, so good — you’ll be making them on repeat.
Prep & Cooking Tips (to Prevent Burning Sprouts)
Here are a few simple tricks I use to help you get that perfect balance of crispy edges and tender centers:
- Dry well: For crispier sprouts, pat them completely dry after washing before adding oil or seasoning. Any moisture will cause them to steam instead of brown.
- Keep the loose leaves: The small outer leaves cook faster and can burn if left in too long. Remove them before air frying, then toss them back in during the last 3-4 minutes for extra-crispy “chips,” or save them for salads!
- Place the cut sides down: Start with the cut sides facing down to get that golden sear before flipping or stirring halfway through.
- Adjust temperature if needed: If the sprouts brown too quickly, reduce the heat to 370°F and cook for 1-2 minutes longer.
- Flip individually instead of shaking: It’s a little tedious, but turning each sprout helps prevent loose leaves from burning and keeps the centers soft and creamy.
- Optional: If your air fryer tends to scorch small pieces, use a perforated parchment liner to reduce direct heat while maintaining airflow.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete ingredients and instructions!
- Brussels Sprouts – Look for sprouts that are green and free from discoloration. Remove the stems and any loose leaves. For best results in the air fryer, choose sprouts that are similar in size (about 1 to 1 ½ inches wide) so they cook evenly and crisp up without burning.
- Olive Oil – This allows the seasonings to stick to the sprouts and contributes to the crispy exterior while adding a boost of omega fatty acids. Avocado oil also works.
- Balsamic Vinegar – This adds sweetness and a subtle, tangy taste.
- Seasonings – Garlic powder, salt, and pepper enhance the savory flavor.
- Maple Syrup – This is optional, but it adds extra sweetness and creates a beautiful caramelized exterior.
Tip: Want even more flavor? Experiment with variations like sprinkling Parmesan cheese or cooked bacon pieces over the cooked sprouts just before serving.
How to Make Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic
Before you begin, preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C). You want it to be nice and hot to achieve a crisp exterior!
- Season. In a bowl, toss the halved Brussels sprouts with oil, balsamic vinegar, and seasonings, coating them completely. Drizzle the maple syrup on top, and toss again, if using.
Note: If preferred, you can also drizzle the maple syrup over the sprouts halfway through cooking for a slightly lighter glaze. It also reduces the chances of burning!
- Air Fry. Arrange the sprouts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, cut side down. Don’t overcrowd. Cook in two batches if needed. Cook until the sprouts are caramelized and crisp, flipping halfway.
Pro-Tip: For a crispier, more caramelized finish, increase the heat to 390°F for the final few minutes of cooking.
- Serve. Remove the air fryer Brussels sprouts from the basket, add a squeeze of lemon juice, and enjoy warm.
Serving Suggestions
These balsamic air fryer Brussels sprouts are a staple on my holiday table, alongside my easy oven roasted turkey legs, broiled lamb chops, and my holiday lentil loaf. However, it’s also great with weeknight meals like my oven baked BBQ salmon, air fryer chicken thighs, and boneless glazed pork chops.
How to Store and Reheat
Once cool, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes to bring back their crispiness. Or, warm them in the oven. Avoid microwaving, as it makes them soft.
More of Our Favorite
Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A delicious side dish, these quick and easy gluten-free air fryer Brussels sprouts are sweet, savory, and tangy with crisp, caramelized edges!
Ingredients
- 1 pound (3.5 – 4 cups) Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved*
- 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 to 1 ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 to 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup for a caramelized finish
- Fresh lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder (if using), salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Optional- For caramelized edges, drizzle 1 to 2 teaspoons of pure maple syrup over the Brussels sprouts and toss again— or add maple drizzle halfway through cooking for a lighter glaze and less chance of burning.
- Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket, placing the cut sides down for maximum browning.
- Air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check progress at 10 minutes to ensure they are not burning. See notes.
- For crispier, more caramelized sprouts, increase to 390°F for the final 2–3 minutes.
- Remove and toss with a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired, before serving.
Notes
Brussels Sprouts Tip – Choose evenly sized sprouts (about 1 to 1 ½ inches) for even cooking and crisp edges.
Cooking Notes: Cooking times can vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer and how crowded the basket is. if you see that the brussels sprouts are browning or burning before the 10 minute mark, then lower the temp to 370°F and continue to cook. You might need a minute or two longer.
More Tips To Prevent Burning: Remove loose leaves before air frying, then add them back in the last 3–4 minutes if desired for extra-crispy “chips.” If your air fryer browns small pieces too quickly, use a perforated parchment liner to reduce heat while keeping airflow.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–5 minutes to bring back their crispiness — or in the oven. Avoid microwaving, as it makes them soft.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 to 15 minutes
- Category: side dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 3.1 g
- Sodium: 153.5 mg
- Fat: 2.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.1 g
- Fiber: 4.3 g
- Protein: 3.9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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