Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Spice – Better Than Takeout
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts – Crispy, caramelized, and coated in a sweet and spicy glaze, these are the best Brussels sprouts you’ll ever have. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting them perfectly crispy every time. Keep reading to find out how. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Sweet Potato Chickpea Curry Recipe and Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe for Quick Summer Sides.
Why This Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Spice – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside
- Sweet and spicy honey glaze
- Healthier than deep-fried or takeout versions
- Ready in just 20 minutes
What You'll Need for Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Spice – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Brussels sprouts
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Optional: Sesame seeds
- Optional: Chopped green onions
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Brussels sprouts: Trim and halve any large sprouts.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Air fryer — Crispy texture without the oil → See on Amazon
- Food processor — Saves time and effort in slicing sprouts → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Spice – Better Than Takeout
- Prepare Brussels sprouts: Trim ends, remove any yellow leaves, and halve large sprouts.
- Cook Brussels sprouts: Toss sprouts with oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Make honey glaze: In a small bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Glaze and serve: Toss cooked sprouts in the glaze, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Spice – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. If needed, cook sprouts in batches.
- Time-saving tip: Prepare and trim Brussels sprouts up to a day ahead, storing them in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Nutrition tip: For a lower-sugar version, use a 1:1 honey substitute or reduce honey to 1 tablespoon and add 1 tablespoon of water to the glaze.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Spice – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Brussels sprouts can be trimmed and halved up to a day ahead.
Freezing Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Spice – Better Than Takeout
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp up in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the seasoning mix.
- Best substitution: Replace Brussels sprouts with broccoli or cauliflower for a similar dish.
- Make-ahead: Cook Brussels sprouts ahead of time, then reheat and toss in the glaze just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If Brussels sprouts are not crispy, increase air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality air fryer — Consistent, even cooking and perfect crispiness every time → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Spice – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Brussels sprouts
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
Optional Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Prepare Brussels sprouts: Trim ends, remove any yellow leaves, and halve large sprouts.
- Cook Brussels sprouts: Toss sprouts with oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Make honey glaze: In a small bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Glaze and serve: Toss cooked sprouts in the glaze, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the seasoning mix.
- Best substitution: Replace Brussels sprouts with broccoli or cauliflower for a similar dish.
- Make-ahead: Cook Brussels sprouts ahead of time, then reheat and toss in the glaze just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If Brussels sprouts are not crispy, increase air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp up in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Brussels sprouts can be trimmed and halved up to a day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 0.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Spice – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can trim and halve Brussels sprouts up to a day ahead. Cooked sprouts can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, but are best reheated in the oven or air fryer.
Overcooking is the most common reason for mushy Brussels sprouts. To prevent this, keep an eye on them and shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking.
Yes, you can bake Brussels sprouts in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, tossing halfway through, until crispy and golden.
Yes, Brussels sprouts are high in vitamins K and C, folate, and fiber. They also contain compounds thought to have potent anticancer properties.
While you can steam Brussels sprouts in the Instant Pot, they won't achieve the same crispy texture as air frying or oven roasting.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Spice – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
