Take your air fryer frozen brussels sprouts to a new level with minimal prep time & just 15 minutes of cooking! Coated in a honey balsamic vinaigrette, with a tiny kick from cayenne pepper, they come out perfectly roasted with nice caramelization.
A Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette Makes Your Frozen Sprouts Shine
I keep frozen Brussels sprouts in my freezer at all times because they're so easy to turn into a delicious side dish. Just air fry and toss with seasonings - no thawing, no chopping, done in 15 minutes.
The honey-balsamic vinaigrette really makes them shine. You get sweetness and a bit of caramelization, balanced by an acidic pop from the balsamic vinegar and a slight spicy kick from cayenne. It's flavor packed, well balanced, and so, so tasty!
Just Brussels Sprouts & a Simple Vinaigrette
Recipe Variations
- Cheesy: Toss with melted butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bacon: Cook them with bacon for a salty treat
- Mexican style: Coat with olive oil and toss with garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder and a dash of cayenne
- Buffalo style: Coat with buffalo sauce
- Crunchy: Add roasted nuts or seeds of your choice - pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are all great options
- Spicier: Add chili flakes to any variation
How to Cook the Best Frozen Brussels Sprouts
1. Air Fryer the Brussels Sprouts
Start by air frying your frozen brussels sprouts for 9 minutes.
2. Make the Vinaigrette
Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette by mixing together all the ingredients in a mixing bowl large enough to comfortably hold all the brussels sprouts.
3. Mix & Air Fry Again
Add the brussels sprouts to the bowl and mix, then place back in the air fryer and air fry 6 minutes, shaking them around once halfway. Use a fork to make sure they are tender inside, if not add a few more minutes.
4. Serve
Transfer to a serving plate and serve topped with salt flakes.
Top Tips for the Best Sprouts
You can make this without the vinaigrette. Either air fry 15 minutes straight away, shaking once halfway, or air fry for 9 minutes then add the seasoning of your choice and air fry 6 more minutes.
Cook from frozen. There's no need to defrost the brussels sprouts first, the air fryer does it for you!
Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket. It's fine if there are layers, just don't fill up the basket completely.
Want crispier brussels sprouts? Air fry in a single layer.
Want them browner and/or crispier? Add a bit more time.
Add salt flakes just before serving. You want the salt flakes to still be crispy to add a bit of texture.
What to Do with Leftovers
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing: I do not recommend freezing leftovers.
Reheating in air fryer: Air fry 3-5 minutes at 350°F (175°C)
Reheating in microwave: Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second increments.
What to Serve Them With
- Air Fryer Skirt Steak50 Minutes
- Cast Iron Pork Chops with Mushrooms, Red Wine & Thyme25 Minutes
- Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon22 Minutes
- Feta Cheese Stuffed Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Basil25 Minutes
More Quick & Easy Air Fryer Sides
Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Print RateIngredients
- 1 lb frozen brussels sprouts or use fresh
Vinaigrette
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon liquid honey or solid honey microwaved to liquid
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
To serve
- 1 teaspoon salt flakes
Instructions
- Add the frozen brussels sprouts to the air fryer basket and air fry for 9 minutes at 390°F (200°C).1 lb frozen brussels sprouts
- Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette by whisking together all the vinaigrette ingredients in a large bowl.1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp liquid honey, ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper, ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- Place the brussels sprouts in the bowl with the vinaigrette and mix well to coat.
- Place the brussels sprouts back in the air fryer basket and air fry 6 minutes at 390°F (200°C), shaking the basket once halfway.
- Transfer to a serving bowl or platter and top with slightly crushed salt flakes just before serving. Enjoy!1 tsp salt flakes
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Measuring cups (metric or US)*
- 1 Large bowl
Video
Notes
You can make this without the vinaigrette. Either air fry 15 minutes straight away, shaking once halfway, or air fry for 9 minutes then add the seasoning of your choice and air fry 6 more minutes. Cook from frozen. There's no need to defrost the brussels sprouts first, the air fryer does it for you! Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket. It's fine if there are layers, just don't fill up the basket completely. Want crispier brussels sprouts? Air fry in a single layer. Want them browner and/or crispier? Add a bit more time. Add salt flakes just before serving. You want the salt flakes to still be crispy to add a bit of texture.
What to Do with Leftovers
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freezing: I do not recommend freezing leftovers. Reheating in air fryer: Air fry 3-5 minutes at 350°F (175°C) Reheating in microwave: Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second increments.Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Paula
Love this method of adding the oil/ glaze half way through. Actually adheres to the sprouts more evenly.
Emmeline Kemperyd
It sure does! Especially when you start with frozen sprouts. Thank you for your comment! /Emmeline
Robin Fournier
I like your ingredients except for the frozen part. I think the flavor was really good and they were crispy on the outside but on the inside mushy so either it is the brand of the frozen brussels sprouts that I used or just frozen. It’s not working for me. I will try your ingredients with fresh brussels sprouts. I’m sure I’ll like it a lot better and really like your idea of cooking twice it really crisps them, thank you !
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Robin! Sorry to hear that. I haven’t had that experience when using frozen, so might be the brand. But of course, even better with fresh ones ☺️ /Emmeline