Crispy smashed Brussels are the perfect snack or appetizer! They’re easy to dip, and healthier than a fried chip, while you can satisfy your craving for crispy. Once I saw air fryer smashed brussel sprouts on TikTok, I knew I had to jump on the craze and make my own!
Brussels sprouts are cooked, smashed, and crisped to perfection in this easy recipe with just 6 ingredients. The air fryer does a great job of making browned, caramelized edges with a pleasant crunch!
You can season your smashed Brussels in a variety of ways. I’m doing garlic and parmesan here today, but I’ll give you some other great choices if that’s not your thing.
To save time, I like cooking my sprouts and smashing them ahead of time. Then, it’s just a quick season and a trip through the air fryer to serve them up hot and fresh in 10 minutes!
It’s a great appetizer option for the holidays, as Brussels are a perfect fall and winter vegetable. Even if you don’t normally like them, this crispy, flavorful take may change your mind!
Ingredients List
10-16 ounces whole Brussels sprouts, fresh or frozen, washed and trimmed if fresh
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
You may use fresh or frozen Brussels. This recipe requires the sprouts to be precooked before smashing, so I opt for the frozen so I can steam in the bag for convenience. Most frozen bags are 10-12 ounces. If you use fresh, it will be 16 ounces in a bag, but after trimming them you’ll end up around 12 ounces total I find. However, if you need to adjust the seasoning levels for what you have, feel free!
You can substitute fresh garlic in place of the garlic powder, but I find it tends to get a little overly brown for my tastes in the air fryer. This is a personal preference, though
Other great seasoning options include: paprika, thyme, or red pepper flakes for a little heat!
Feel free to add finishing touches such as a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze, cooked crumbled bacon, a squeeze of lemon juice, or some shredded parmesan!
Good dipping sauce options are: ranch dressing, garlic sauce, tahini, hummus, or garlic parmesan sauce!
Step By Step Instructions
Pre-cook your Brussels sprouts. You may do this by microwaving on high for 5 minutes in a steamer bag, microwave steamer, or microwave safe dish with a lid and about ½ cup water added. Alternatively, boil in salted water on the stovetop for about 10 minutes. Allow the sprouts to cool for 5-10 minutes, then pat dry
Smash the sprouts flat using the bottom of a drinking glass, a flat plate, bottom of a bowl, or even a tortilla press. Keep them as even as possible, and don’t overmash them so they break apart
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (or the closest setting your specific air fryer has)
In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, seasonings, and parmesan cheese together and mix well
You can either toss the smashed Brussels carefully in the mixture or brush it onto them. Tossing gives you more even coverage and is quicker, but you’re also more likely to break them apart so it’s your choice here
Place the seasoned, smashed brussel sprouts into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes at 380°F, pausing halfway through to flip the sprouts over (I use a fork or a pair of tongs), until the edges are brown and crispy
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce if desired, and enjoy!
Can I Use Frozen Brussels Sprouts for This Recipe?
Yes, you can absolutely use frozen Brussels sprouts for this recipe. In fact, I find it easier to steam them in the bag and save yourself time.
However, you may trim and boil or steam fresh sprouts as well, if preferred.
How Do I Make the Brussels Sprouts Crispy in the Air Fryer?
To make them crispy, ensure they’re thoroughly dried after boiling or steaming. Also make sure to brush or spray oil on all sides before air frying.
You can always add an additional spritz of oil during cooking, or add additional cook time if they’re not quite brown enough for your liking.
What Seasonings Work Best with Smashed Brussels Sprouts?
Common seasonings include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Parmesan, balsamic vinegar, and bacon are other popular toppings or additions for added flavor. Experiment to find your favorite combinations!
Can I Prepare These in Advance and Reheat Them?
While smashed Brussels are best when freshly made, you can reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain some crispiness.
For a better make ahead option, precook and smash your Brussels sprouts ahead of time and refrigerate them for up to 48 hours. Then, season and air fry to crisp up just before serving.
What’s the Ideal Texture for Smashed Brussels Sprouts?
Smashed Brussels should have a crispy exterior with a tender, almost creamy interior.
Adjust the cooking time to achieve your desired texture.
Can I Add Cheese to the Smashed Brussels Sprouts?
Yes, parmesan cheese is a popular option to add to smashed Brussels sprouts.
You can add it before or after cooking (or both) depending on your desired level of flavor.
Recipe Pro Tips
I smashed my sprouts to about ¼” thickness and found that to be perfect, but as long as you don’t mush them so much that they break apart, any thickness is fine
They will release additional water as you smash them, which I recommend dabbing up. This will help them to get crispier after air frying!
If you don’t preheat your air fryer (I’m guilty of it sometimes too), cook for 7 minutes on the first side, then flip and do an additional 5. This will make up for the preheat time generally (but if you need to add 1-2 more minutes that’s fine)!
I made this recipe in my 8 qt Ninja Dual Zoneair fryer and was able to fit 18 sprouts in at a time. For smaller air fryers, you may need to cook in batches (overcrowding will result in them not being crispy)
Storage and Reheating Tips
Smashed brussel sprouts are best enjoyed fresh. However, you may store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days if needed. I do not recommend freezing, as they tend to fall apart
To reheat, air fry for 2-3 minutes at 400°F to re-crisp them
If you would like to prepare them in advance, cook, smash, and season the sprouts. Refrigerate for up to 48 hours and then just cook them in the air fryer before serving (so it only takes 10 minutes)! This makes them quick and easy for entertaining!
These air fryer smashed brussel sprouts are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, and perfectly seasoned with garlic and parmesan flavors.
In fact, I don’t even like brussel sprouts normally, and I adore these! They make a perfect appetizer or snack, and are perfect for dipping.
The air fryer does a great job of getting them browned and caramelized so that they’re bursting with flavor. If you do the prep ahead of time, it takes just 10 minutes to get them on the table, making for a quick and easy option for entertaining.
Air Fryer Smashed Brussel Sprouts Parmesan
These air fryer smashed Brussels sprouts are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. With flavors of garlic and parmesan, they’re perfect as a snack or appetizer!
10-16Ounceswhole Brussels sprouts, fresh or frozen(washed and trimmed if fresh)
2Tbspolive oil
1Tspgarlic powder
½Tspsalt
½Tspblack pepper
2Tbspgrated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Pre-cook your Brussels sprouts. You may do this by microwaving on high for 5-7 minutes in a steamer bag, microwave steamer, or microwave safe dish with a lid and about ½ cup water added. Alternatively, boil in salted water on the stovetop for about 10 minutes. Allow the sprouts to cool for 5-10 minutes, then pat dry
10-16 Ounces whole Brussels sprouts, fresh or frozen
Smash the sprouts flat to about ¼” thickness using the bottom of a drinking glass or similar. Keep them as even as possible, and don’t over mash them so they break apart
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (or the closest setting your specific air fryer has)
In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, seasonings, and parmesan cheese together and mix well
2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tsp garlic powder, ½ Tsp salt, ½ Tsp black pepper, 2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Toss the smashed Brussels carefully in the mixture or brush it onto them evenly
Place the seasoned, smashed brussel sprouts into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes at 380°F, pausing halfway through to flip the sprouts over (use a fork or a pair of tongs), until the edges are brown and crispy
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
You may use fresh or frozen Brussels. I opt for the frozen so I can steam in the bag for convenience. Most frozen bags are 10-12 ounces. If you use fresh, it will be 16 ounces in a bag, but after trimming them you’ll end up with less. Adjust seasoning as needed depending on your specific quantity
You can substitute fresh garlic in place of the garlic powder, but I find it tends to get a little overly brown for my tastes in the air fryer. This is a personal preference, though
Other great seasoning options include: paprika, thyme, or red pepper flakes for a little heat!
Feel free to add finishing touches such as a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze, cooked crumbled bacon, a squeeze of lemon juice, or some shredded parmesan!
Good dipping sauce options are: ranch dressing, garlic sauce, tahini, hummus, or garlic parmesan sauce!
The sprouts will release additional water as you smash them, which I recommend dabbing up. This will help them to get crispier after air frying!
If you don’t preheat your air fryer (I’m guilty of it sometimes too), cook for 7 minutes on the first side, then flip and do an additional 5. This will make up for the preheat time generally (but if you need to add 1-2 more minutes that’s fine)!
I made this recipe in my 8 qt Ninja Dual Zoneair fryer and was able to fit 18 sprouts in at a time. For smaller air fryers, you may need to cook in batches (overcrowding will result in them not being crispy)
Smashed brussel sprouts are best enjoyed fresh. However, you may store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days if needed. I do not recommend freezing, as they tend to fall apart
To reheat, air fry for 2-3 minutes at 400°F to re-crisp them
If you would like to prepare them in advance, cook, smash, and season the sprouts. Refrigerate for up to 48 hours and then just cook them in the air fryer before serving (so it only takes 10 minutes)
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
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!
