Tired of bland, mushy vegetables that make you want to push them around your plate? Prepare to be amazed by these Sweet and Spicy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts that will completely revolutionize how you think about this nutritious veggie! In just 20 minutes, you'll create a crispy, caramelized side dish that's so addictively delicious, even veggie-skeptics will be asking for seconds. With the perfect balance of honey's sweetness and red pepper flakes' fiery kick, these Brussels sprouts are about to become your new favorite culinary obsession.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash the Brussels sprouts thoroughly under cold running water. Pat them completely dry using clean paper towels to ensure crispy roasting.
- Trim off the tough stem ends of the Brussels sprouts and slice each sprout in half lengthwise, ensuring even cooking and maximum surface area for caramelization.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, honey, red pepper flakes, and salt. Whisk the ingredients together until they form a smooth, well-integrated marinade.
- Add the halved Brussels sprouts to the bowl and toss gently, ensuring each sprout is evenly coated with the sweet and spicy marinade.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-4 minutes to ensure proper initial heat distribution.
- Arrange the marinated Brussels sprouts in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded to allow proper air circulation.
- Cook the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and crispy edges.
- Check the Brussels sprouts for desired crispiness. They should have golden-brown edges and be tender on the inside.
- Remove the Brussels sprouts from the air fryer and transfer to a serving plate. Let them rest for 2-3 minutes to cool slightly.
- Optionally, garnish with additional red pepper flakes or a drizzle of honey for extra flavor before serving hot.
Tips
- • Make sure to thoroughly dry your Brussels sprouts after washing - moisture is the enemy of crispiness! • Cut sprouts to similar sizes to ensure even cooking • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - give each sprout some breathing room • Shake the basket midway through cooking to promote uniform browning • For extra crispiness, you can add a light sprinkle of parmesan cheese in the last 2-3 minutes of cooking • Adjust red pepper flakes based on your spice tolerance - start conservative and add more next time if needed • Serve immediately for maximum crunch and flavor impact
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 90kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
