Fall is the perfect time to make these easy air fryer beets and Brussels sprouts! This dish comes together quickly with just 15-20 minutes of cooking time, so it’s easy enough for weeknights. With the beautiful bold colors, though, it’s equally elegant on your holiday table as well!
This side dish is the perfect blend of roasted beets and Brussels that are caramelized to perfection thanks to your air fryer. It’s also naturally vegetarian and gluten free, meaning it fits a variety of different dietary needs!
My favorite part of this recipe is that preparing them in the air fryer saves a lot of time over roasting in the oven. In fact, it’s nearly half the time when you consider the preheat time! This makes it a quick and easy side dish option for any meal.
I’m making my air fryer beets and Brussels sprouts with balsamic, as the natural sweetness of beets pairs perfectly with the tangy notes from the vinegar.
Of course, there are lots of other great seasonings and toppings you can add in if you’d like! I’ll give you some ideas as well so you can adjust to your own personal tastes.
Ingredients List
1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts (washed, stems trimmed, and cut in half)
3 medium beets (washed, peeled, and cut into about ½ ” thick cubes or slices)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper (or more to taste)
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
You may also use frozen Brussels sprouts for this (no defrosting is needed), but then they’ll be whole and may take slightly longer to cook
Your beets should be cut into cubes about the same size as your Brussels (or even slightly smaller), so vary it based on the specific size of the veggies you have. The actual size is going to affect your overall cooking time, as well
All seasonings are adjustable to taste so feel free to change it up! Other great herb choices for seasoning include thyme, dill, parsley, or basil
You may swap in balsamic glaze instead of the balsamic vinegar if you want it a little sweeter, or add in 1 Tbsp of honey or agave. I find the beets have enough sweetness on their own, but feel free to change it up!
Variations: Top roasted beets and Brussels with goat cheese crumbles or toasted pecan pieces for flavor and texture. For a bacon variation, add 4 slices of bacon cut into ½” pieces into the mix before cooking
Step By Step Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
In a mixing bowl, combine the halved Brussels, cut beets, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar together, stirring to evenly coat
Place the seasoned vegetables into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer (a small amount of overlap is alright but don’t over pack it)
Cook on the air fry setting for 15-20 minutes, pausing every 5 minutes to stir, until vegetables are lightly browned and soft (use a fork to check for doneness; they should pierce with little resistance)
Top with any additional toppings as desired, and enjoy hot or warm!
Start by washing and peeling the beets, and cutting off the stems and roots. Then, cut them into even-sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking.
In this recipe, you want the pieces to be about the same size as the Brussels, so adjust based on your needs.
Can I Air Fry Beets and Brussels Sprouts Together?
Yes, you can. However, make sure that you cut the different vegetables into similar sized pieces so that the cooking times remain the same.
The beets will naturally bleed a little color onto your Brussels during cooking. To avoid this, you can always cook them separately and then combine together just before serving if preferred.
How Much Time is Needed For Air Frying Beets and Brussels Sprouts?
Generally, you need about 15-20 minutes for air frying beets and Brussels sprouts, cooked at a temperature of 400°F (200°C).
The time can vary slightly based on the size of your specific vegetables, desired level of caramelization, and your particular air fryer.
Can I Add Other Vegetables to This Recipe?
Absolutely! You can include carrots, sweet potatoes, or asparagus for variety.
Make sure to cut them into similar sized pieces, or even a bit smaller with potatoes, so that they cook evenly along with your other vegetables.
Can I Make This Dish in Advance and Reheat it?
Yes, you can make it ahead and reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through.
Just store your cooked vegetables in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and heat when ready.
Are There Vegan Options For This Recipe?
Yes, this recipe is naturally vegan. Just ensure your seasonings and cooking oil are vegan-friendly.
Additionally, you’ll of course want to avoid adding any variations such as bacon, cheese, or honey that would make it non-vegan.
How Can I Make Air Fried Beets and Brussels Sprouts More Kid Friendly?
Consider adding a sprinkle of parmesan cheese or a drizzle of honey for added appeal to young eaters.
Additionally, consider mixing in different vegetables such as potatoes to encourage them to try new things along with tried and true options.
Recipe Pro Tips
Between the two, the Brussels sprouts tend to cook slightly faster than the beets. I always cut my beets the same or slightly smaller in size than my Brussels and it works out fine. However, if your pieces are too big they’ll be undercooked
I make this recipe in a Ninja air fryer. When I get small sprouts, 15 minutes is perfect. Larger ones need the full 20. Just check them when you stir them and adjust as needed. Note that other air fryers will vary slightly in terms of cooking time
You can always cook the beets first for about 5 minutes and then add the Brussels if you want to give them a head start (or prefer a less brown sprout). It’s much harder to overcook or overbrown the beets
I highly recommend drizzling some additional balsamic glaze over the top if you want a pungent balsamic flavor, as the flavor is not overly strong as written
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover beets and Brussels sprouts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
To reheat, air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, until warmed through and re-crisped to your liking. You may also microwave them for about 1 minute as a faster alternative, but you’ll lose the crispy edges that way
These air fryer beets and Brussels sprouts are the perfect fall side dish. They’re so simple to make, and the air fryer cooks them up perfectly in just 15-20 minutes!
That’s quick enough for a weeknight, but these roasted vegetables are elegant enough for company and the holidays as well. Since this side is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, you can fit a wide variety of dietary needs.
Whether you choose to make your beets and Brussels with balsamic like I am, or to add your own unique seasonings and flavor variations, it’s sure to become a go-to side dish for the ease in getting it on the table!
Air Fryer Beets and Brussels Sprouts With Balsamic
These air fryer beets and Brussels sprouts are roasted to perfection in just about 20 minutes! The natural sweetness of the vegetables pairs perfectly with tangy balsamic for this simple side.
1Pound fresh Brussels sprouts(washed, trimmed, and cut in half)
3Mediumbeets, any variety (washed, peeled, and cut into about ½ ” thick cubes or slices)
2Tbspolive oil
1Tspgarlic powder
1Tspsalt
½Tspblack pepper(or more to taste)
2Tbspbalsamic vinegar
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
In a mixing bowl, combine the halved Brussels, cut beets, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar together, stirring to evenly coat
1 Pound fresh Brussels sprouts, 3 Medium beets, any variety, 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tsp garlic powder, 1 Tsp salt, ½ Tsp black pepper, 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
Place the seasoned vegetables into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer (a small amount of overlap is alright but don’t over pack it)
Cook on the air fry setting for 15-20 minutes, pausing every 5 minutes to stir, until vegetables are lightly browned and soft (use a fork to check for doneness; they should pierce with little resistance)
Top with any additional toppings as desired, and enjoy!
Notes
You may also use frozen Brussels sprouts for this (no defrosting is needed), but then they’ll be whole and may take slightly longer to cook
Your beets should be cut into cubes about the same size as your Brussels (or even slightly smaller since they typically cook a little slower), so vary it based on the specific size of the veggies you have. The actual size is going to affect your overall cooking time, as well
All seasonings are adjustable to taste so feel free to change it up! Other great herb choices for seasoning include thyme, dill, parsley, or basil
You may swap in balsamic glaze instead of the balsamic vinegar if you want it a little sweeter, or add in 1 Tbsp of honey or agave. You can also drizzle a little over the top after cooking for additional flavor!
Variations: Top roasted beets and Brussels with goat cheese crumbles, parmesan, or toasted pecan pieces for flavor and texture. For a bacon variation, add 4 slices of bacon cut into ½” pieces into the mix before cooking
Store leftover beets and Brussels sprouts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
To reheat, air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, until warmed through and re-crisped to your liking. You may also microwave them for about 1 minute as a faster alternative, but you’ll lose the crispy edges that way
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Keyword air fryer beets and brussels sprouts, air fryer beets and brussels sprouts with balsamic, air fryer side dishes, air fryer vegetable recipes, quick and easy side dishes, roasted root vegetables, vegan air fryer recipes
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
