A little sweet, a little heat, and a whole lot delicious is what you’ll find in this hot honey Brussels sprout recipe! It’s one of my favorite flavor combinations, for an easy side dish that works year round. I make mine in the air fryer so they get extra crispy and caramelized, too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet And Spicy: Hot honey brings the perfect balance of sweetness and heat to savory Brussels sprouts
- Crispy And Caramelized: The air fryer gives the sprouts beautifully browned, crispy edges while keeping the centers tender
- Quick And Easy: They’re a simple side dish that comes together quickly with minimal prep
- Big Flavor From Simple Ingredients: You don’t need a long ingredient list to turn Brussels sprouts into something seriously flavorful
- A Fun Twist On A Classic Side: Hot honey gives traditional roasted Brussels sprouts an irresistible upgrade!
- Great For Brussels Sprout Skeptics: Crispy edges and a sweet-spicy glaze can make even reluctant Brussels sprout eaters give them another chance
- Pairs With Almost Anything: Serve them alongside chicken, pork, steak, seafood, or your favorite vegetarian main course. They’re naturally gluten free and vegetarian, so they work for a variety of needs without even trying!
- Perfect For Entertaining: Their gorgeous caramelized edges and glossy hot honey finish make them feel special enough for holidays and dinner parties, while still being easy enough for a weeknight
- Easy To Customize: Adjust the amount of hot honey for more or less heat, or add toppings like Parmesan, bacon, crumbled cheese, or toasted nuts
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Ingredients List
- 1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 Tbsp hot honey, divided (such as Mike’s Hot Honey *see notes)
- ¼ cup pomegranate arils (optional garnish)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Commercially prepared hot honey like Mike’s and other brands can vary a lot in terms of spice levels. If you’re heat averse, use half regular honey and half hot honey, or even all regular honey and then just add ¼ tsp (or to taste) of red pepper flakes or sriracha to control heat levels better
- This recipe easily doubles, so long as you can fit the extra in your air fryer without overcrowding (or they won’t crisp well). Cook in batches if needed!
- Seasonings are adjustable to taste. Feel free to add garlic powder, onion powder, or herbs like thyme or rosemary
- I like pomegranate arils for the color and pop of juicy flavor you get (plus it looks awesome on a holiday table). You can also try a sprinkle of chopped chives, toasted pecans, or crumbled cheese like goat cheese or feta
Step By Step Instructions
- Toss the Brussels sprouts with the olive oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until well coated
- Spread the seasoned sprouts in your air fryer’s basket in a single layer, then cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 10 minutes
- After 10 minutes have elapsed, add 1 Tbsp hot honey and stir to coat. Tip: I find it less messy to transfer the sprouts back to the mixing bowl I used for the oil and seasonings, add the honey and mix, and then put them back in the air fryer, but you can do it all in the basket if you prefer
- Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the honey is caramelized and the sprouts are browned and crisped to your liking
- Transfer to a serving bowl, then top with the remaining hot honey, and any other garnishes desired (I use pomegranate arils). Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Air fryer hot honey Brussels sprouts are crispy, caramelized, and packed with sweet and spicy flavor. They pair best with savory mains, creamy sides, and fresh, tangy dishes that balance the heat!
Meat & Seafood
- Grilled Steak: The rich, savory flavor of steak is a perfect match for sweet and spicy Brussels sprouts
- Pork Chops: Pork and honey are a natural pairing, while the heat adds an extra layer of flavor
- Roasted Chicken: A simple roasted chicken lets the bold Brussels sprouts shine without competing with them
- Grilled Salmon: Rich salmon pairs beautifully with the caramelized sweetness and gentle heat. Double down on flavor with my Honey Garlic Salmon!
- BBQ Ribs: Smoky, saucy ribs make a hearty match for the sweet heat of the sprouts
Hearty Sides
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy potatoes help balance the heat and make the meal extra comforting
- Roasted Potatoes: Crispy potatoes complement the texture of the Brussels sprouts while keeping the flavors simple
- Mac And Cheese: Rich, creamy cheese provides a delicious contrast to the spicy honey
- Sweet Potatoes: Their natural sweetness complements the honey while adding an earthy element. Try my Air Fryer Hasselback Sweet Potatoes!
Fresh Sides
- Apple Slaw: Crisp apples and tangy dressing cut through the richness while complementing the sweetness
- Cucumber Salad: Cool, refreshing cucumber is an easy way to balance the heat
- Simple Green Salad: A bright vinaigrette adds acidity and keeps the meal feeling fresh
- Pickled Vegetables: Their sharp acidity and crunchy texture provide a great contrast to caramelized Brussels sprouts
Toppings & Extras
- Crispy Bacon: Smoky, salty bacon is an especially good match for hot honey
- Parmesan Cheese: Nutty, salty Parmesan adds savory depth to the sweet-spicy sprouts
- Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy goat cheese helps mellow the heat
- Toasted Pecans: Buttery, crunchy pecans complement the caramelized flavors beautifully!
Drinks
- Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio provides refreshing acidity alongside the sweet heat
- Hard Cider: The apple flavor works wonderfully with caramelized Brussels sprouts!
- Lager: A light beer is refreshing alongside spicy, savory foods
- Iced Tea: Unsweetened or lightly sweetened iced tea is an easy nonalcoholic option
Recipe FAQs
Can I Make These In The Oven Instead?
Yes! Roast the Brussels sprouts on a sheet pan in an oven preheated to 425°F for 15-20 minutes, until browned and crispy. Toss them with the hot honey after roasting so the honey doesn’t burn during cooking.
Are Brussels Sprouts Good With Hot Honey?
Absolutely! The slightly bitter, earthy flavor of Brussels sprouts is a great contrast to hot honey‘s sweet and spicy flavor. Roasting or air frying them until caramelized makes the combination even better.
What Are Some Tips For Perfect Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts?
For the best results, dry the Brussels sprouts well, cut larger ones in half, and avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Cook until the edges are deeply browned and crispy, then add the hot honey toward the end or after cooking to prevent it from burning.
Tips For the Best Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts
- As pictured, these sprouts were cooked in my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer for 17 minutes total (without preheating). Times can vary between air fryers, sprout sizes, and your personal browning preferences, so adjust as needed in small increments!
- If you do preheat, you can reduce cooking time by about 2 minutes usually. Also, if cooking in batches, reduce by 2 minutes for subsequent batches, since the air fryer will be actively hot
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate Leftovers: Store cooled Brussels sprouts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days
- Store The Hot Honey Separately: If possible, keep extra hot honey sauce separate and add it after reheating for the best texture and flavor
- Freeze With Caution: You can freeze cooked Brussels sprouts for 2-3 months, but they may lose some of their crispiness. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating
Reheating Tips
- Reheat In The Air Fryer: Air fry at 350°F for about 3-5 minutes, shaking once, until heated through and crisp around the edges
- Oven:Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and heat at 400°F for 8-10 minutes
- Avoid The Microwave If Possible: While the microwave is quick, it tends to make Brussels sprouts soft rather than crispy
- Add Fresh Hot Honey After Reheating: A drizzle of fresh hot honey brings back the signature sweet-spicy flavor and glossy finish!
Final Thoughts
These hot honey brussel sprouts are sweet, spicy, and delicious! They’re fancy looking enough to make it on your holiday table, and I like them for Thanksgiving or Christmas alike. However, they’re also easy enough that you can serve them on any random weeknight!
The air fryer delivers crispy Brussels that are tender inside, giving you all that perfect caramelization and flavor with a handful of ingredients. They’re even naturally vegetarian and gluten free, so they work for a variety of dietary needs without even trying!
Katie’s tip
For more great ways to use this classic vegetable, check out all of my Air Fryer Brussel Sprout Recipes for creative ideas to fit any occasion!
Crispy Air Fryer Hot Honey Brussel Sprouts
Servings: 2
These air fryer hot honey Brussels sprouts are sweet, spicy, and perfectly caramelized and crispy thanks to your air fryer. Pretty enough for a holiday side, but easy enough for a weeknight!
Equipment
- Spatula (or spoon; for stirring)
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts (trimmed and halved)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 Tbsp hot honey (divided)
- ¼ cup pomegranate arils (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Toss the Brussels sprouts with the olive oil, salt, and pepper until well coated1 Tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, 1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts
- Spread the seasoned sprouts in your air fryer’s basket in a single layer, then cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 10 minutes
- After 10 minutes have elapsed, add 1 Tbsp hot honey and stir to coat2 Tbsp hot honey
- Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the honey is caramelized and the sprouts are browned and crisped to your liking
- Transfer to a serving bowl, then top with the remaining hot honey, optional pomegranate arils, and any other garnishes desired. Enjoy!¼ cup pomegranate arils, 2 Tbsp hot honey
I find it less messy to transfer the sprouts back to the mixing bowl I used for the oil and seasonings, add the honey and mix, and then put them back in the air fryer, but you can do it all in the basket if you prefer
Notes
- Commercially prepared hot honey such as Mike’s hot honey and other similar brands can vary a lot in terms of spice levels. If you’re heat averse, use half regular honey and half hot honey, or all regular honey and then just add ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste) to control heat levels more closely
- This recipe easily doubles, so long as you can fit the extra in your air fryer without overcrowding (or they won’t crisp well). Cook in batches if needed!
- Seasonings are all adjustable to taste. Feel free to add garlic powder, onion powder, or herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chives
- I like the pomegranate arils for the color and pop of juicy flavor you get (plus it looks great on a holiday table). You can also add toasted pecans, or crumbled cheeses like goat cheese or feta
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, size, and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or toppings added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 275g | Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 7.6g | Saturated Fat: 1.1g | Sodium: 638mg | Potassium: 930mg | Fiber: 9.5g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 287.2IU | Vitamin C: 194.7mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 3.3mg
