We grabbed dinner at Red Lobster recently and someone ordered the Brussels, and I was so pleasantly surprised at how good they were. So, of course, I came home with a mission to make an air fryer copycat Red Lobster brussel sprouts recipe to enjoy anytime!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant-inspired at home. Enjoy a copycat version of a popular restaurant-style side without leaving the house!
- Crispy and tender. The air fryer gives the Brussels sprouts deliciously browned edges while keeping the centers tender, similar to the way they’re deep fried at the restaurant
- Quick and easy. No need to heat up the oven or spend a lot of time on prep, and it uses mostly pantry staples too!
- Packed with bold flavor. The combination of seasonings and toppings transforms everyday Brussels sprouts into something special
- Great for Brussels sprouts skeptics. Crispy edges and savory Asian inspired flavors can make these veggies much more appealing (even my picky eaters like them)!
- A versatile side dish. Serve them with steak, chicken, seafood, or your favorite restaurant-inspired dinner
- Perfect for entertaining. They feel a little more elevated than everyday vegetables but are still easy to prepare! Plus, they’re naturally vegetarian, so they work for a variety of tastes without trying!
- Easy to customize. Adjust the seasonings or toppings to suit your tastes; you don’t get that option in the restaurant!
- Better than basic steamed vegetables. This recipe delivers plenty of texture and flavor in every bite!
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Ingredients List
- 1 lb fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed, remove outer leaves, and halved
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- â…“ cup low sodium soy sauce
- â…“ cup brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp ginger paste (or finely minced fresh)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- â…“ cup French fried onions (or to taste)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Instead of butter, you can use olive oil or avocado oil (but butter gives it a richer flavor)
- I think that some minced garlic or garlic powder (½ tsp or so) adds nice flavor, or some sriracha for a spicy kick, but they aren’t traditional to the recipe, so add it only if you’d enjoy these variations too!
- You could also use fried shallots instead of the fried onions
- If you prefer a bottled sauce instead of making your own, I’ve found that Ken’s Steak House Asian sesame with ginger & soy dressing is pretty close, just not quite as sweet as Red Lobster’s sauce. Use around â…“ cup dressing and add 1-2 Tbsp granulated sugar or honey (or to taste) to compensate (heat it a little still to blend and thicken). Alternatively, you can just use it without extra sweetener for a lower-sweetness option with a similar flavor profile!
Step By Step Instructions
- Toss your halved Brussels sprouts with the melted butter, salt, and pepper
- Add the sprouts to your air fryer basket in a single layer (a small amount of overlap is alright, but air circulation is the key to getting them crispy)!
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 10 minutes. Stir, then cook an additional 5-10 minutes until crisp on the edges and browned to your liking
- While the Brussels are cooking, combine the sauce ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and cook on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring every minute, until it has thickened slightly. You can absolutely heat it on the stovetop in a small saucepan if preferred, over medium heat until its bubbly and slightly thickened
- Toss the sprouts with the dressing (or pour it over the top if preferred), then top with the French fried onions. Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
These Red Lobster Brussels sprouts are crispy, savory, and packed with bold restaurant-style flavor, making them a versatile side for steakhouse dinners, seafood meals, and everyday proteins.
Their slightly bitter, caramelized flavor pairs especially well with rich meats and buttery seafood. Here are some of my favorites!
Meat Pairings
- Steak: A juicy ribeye, sirloin, or filet makes these Brussels sprouts feel right at home in a steakhouse-style dinner
- Prime rib: The rich, tender beef is balanced nicely by the slightly bitter, crispy sprouts.
- Pork chops: Savory pork pairs beautifully with the caramelized edges of the Brussels sprouts
- Roast chicken: A simple, reliable pairing for an easy weeknight dinner!
- Meatloaf: Add mashed potatoes for a cozy comfort-food plate. Try any of my Air Fryer Meatloaf Recipes!
- Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin: An especially good choice when your sprouts have sweet or savory toppings
Seafood Favorites
- Lobster tail: Lean into the Red Lobster inspiration with buttery lobster for a restaurant-style meal at home!
- Grilled shrimp: Quick-cooking and easy, with a mild flavor that complements the bold sprouts
- Salmon: Rich, flaky salmon stands up well to the savory flavors
- Scallops: Their naturally sweet flavor provides a delicious contrast. Check out all of my Air Fryer Scallop Recipes for some great options!
- Crab cakes: A crispy seafood pairing that works beautifully with roasted vegetables.
- Garlic butter shrimp: Buttery, garlicky flavors make this an especially strong match!
Potatoes & Other Sides
- Mashed potatoes: Creamy potatoes balance the crisp texture of the sprouts
- Baked potatoes: A classic steakhouse-style pairing. My Air Fryer Baked Potatoes are a great choice!
- Scalloped potatoes: Rich and indulgent for a special dinner. Try my Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes!
- Loaded mashed potatoes: Great for a more casual, comfort-food meal!
- Rice pilaf: A lighter starch that lets the Brussels sprouts remain the star
- Dinner rolls: Perfect for soaking up any extra sauce or seasoning
Wine Pairings
- Chardonnay: A fuller-bodied Chardonnay works especially well alongside buttery seafood and richer preparations
- Sauvignon Blanc: Its crisp acidity cuts through rich flavors and complements the earthy sprouts
- Pinot Noir: A lighter red that pairs nicely with roasted vegetables and pork
- Cabernet Sauvignon: A great choice when serving the Brussels sprouts alongside a hearty steak
More Red Lobster Copycat Recipes
- Red Lobster Watermelon Margarita
- Copycat Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi
- Red Lobster Passion Fruit Margarita
Recipe FAQs
How Do Restaurants Make Their Brussels Sprouts So Crispy?
Restaurants often use very high heat and plenty of oil, sometimes deep frying the Brussels sprouts for an especially crispy exterior. For air fryer versions, drying the sprouts well, avoiding overcrowding, and cooking in a single layer helps achieve similar browned, crispy edges.
What Sauce Is On Red Lobster’s Brussels Sprouts?
Red Lobster describes its crispy Brussels sprouts as being drizzled with soy-ginger sauce. The exact restaurant recipe isn’t publicly detailed (though this copycat version is pretty close), but the sauce has a sweet and savory flavor profile.
What Does Red Lobster Put In Their Brussels Sprouts?
According to Red Lobster’s menu, the dish consists of crispy Brussels sprouts drizzled with soy-ginger sauce and topped with crispy onions. That’s all they’ll say publicly about them, at least.
Tips For the Best Red Lobster Brussels Sprouts
- As pictured, these sprouts were cooked in my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer for 15 minutes total. Times can vary between air fryers, sprout sizes, and your personal browning preferences, so adjust as needed in small increments!
- The nice thing about making them at home is that you can control the amount of sauce compared to the restaurant. I usually add a little less than the full amount, but do what you like!
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days
- Keep crispy onions separate if possible so they stay crunchy (though I find their flavor gets much more potent after they sit with the sprouts overnight, so if you prefer onion flavor to crunch factor, put them together)!
- Air fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, shaking halfway through, until warmed and crisped up
- Oven: Reheat at 375°F for about 8-10 minutes for larger portions
- Microwave: Use short intervals for convenience, though everything will be softer (not crispy)
- Add (or refresh) toppings after reheating when possible, especially crispy onions and sauce, for the best texture
More Air Fryer Brussels Sprout Recipes
- Brussel Sprout Casserole
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts With Balsamic Honey Glaze
Final Thoughts
Copycat Red Lobster Brussels sprouts are so easy to make at home, you’ll skip the takeout and enjoy a night in instead. The air fryer does a great job of getting them golden brown and crispy, and paired with that sweet, Asian-inspired sauce and crispy onions, they’re so delicious!
I love making them at home, not only for the convenience, but also for the customization options! They’re naturally vegetarian, but you can get saucy or go light, load it up with extra crunchy onions, or even add some sriracha or gochujang for a little kick. The possibilities are endless!
For more great ways to enjoy this veggie at home, make sure to check out all of my Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipes for savory inspiration!
Red Lobster Brussel Sprouts Copycat Recipe (Air Fryer)
Servings: 4
This air fryer copycat version of Red Lobster brussel sprout recipe is a solid match for the restaurant version! Crispy, browned sprouts with a sweet soy garlic sauce and crispy fried onions make for a delicious side anytime.
Equipment
- Spatula (or spoon; for stirring)
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts (trimmed and halved)
- 2 Tbsp butter (melted)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- â…“ cup low sodium soy sauce
- â…“ cup brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp ginger paste (or finely minced fresh)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- â…“ cup French fried onions (such as French's)
Instructions
- Toss your halved Brussels sprouts with the melted butter, salt, and pepper2 Tbsp butter, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, 1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts
- Add the sprouts to your air fryer in a single layer (a small amount of overlap is alright, but air circulation is the key to getting them crispy)!
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 10 minutes. Stir, then cook an additional 5-10 minutes until crisp on the edges and browned to your liking. Mine were cooked for 15 minutes in a Ninja air fryer. Times can vary between units; adjust as needed
- While the Brussels are cooking, combine the sauce ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and cook on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring every minute, until it has thickened slightly. You can absolutely heat it on the stovetop in a saucepan if preferred, over medium heat until its bubbly and slightly thickened⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 Tbsp ginger paste, ½ cup granulated sugar
- Toss the sprouts with the dressing (or drizzle it over the top if preferred), then top with the French fried onions. Enjoy!â…“ cup French fried onions
Notes
- Instead of butter, you can use olive or avocado oil (but butter gives it a richer flavor)
- Feel free to adjust the amounts of sauce and fried onions used to suit your tastes; that’s the beauty of making it at home!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and size of ingredients, any swaps or additions, amounts used, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 185g | Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 6.4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4.3g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 1146mg | Potassium: 555mg | Fiber: 4.5g | Sugar: 3.9g | Vitamin A: 305.3IU | Vitamin C: 96.5mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 2mg
