Isn’t it interesting that Brussels sprouts used to be the vegetable that everyone loved to hate? Grandmothers steamed them in the kitchen and the house smelled terrible, making you detest this nutrient-dense cruciferous vegetable. In recent years, though, Brussels sprouts have risen to popularity. It’s difficult to go to a restaurant and not find some version of Brussels sprouts on the menu. More often than not, they are usually an appetizer dish served with a creamy dressing of sorts.
One factor that deters people from making Brussels sprouts at home is that they never seem to be the same as they are in restaurants. How do you achieve the perfect combination of being perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside? Some people steam or boil them prior to roasting them, which cooks the Brussels and then all you have to do is broil them for optimum char. This is a multi-step process that can be a hassle, which brings us to the beautiful invention that is the air fryer.
Roasting Brussels sprouts in the air fryer is a much faster cook than roasting them in the oven. The same magic from the oven happens in the air fryer as well, in a fraction of the time! Because balsamic vinegar and Brussels sprouts are a match made in heaven, we’ve done our best to create an appetizer or side to remember. They are crispy and have a classic sweet tang that your taste buds will love. If you enjoy this vegan recipe, let us know in the comment section!
- Prep Time:10m
- Cook Time:12m
- Total Time:22m
- Serves: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizers & Snacks, Sides, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts
- 3 tsp. balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp. maple syrup
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse the Brussels sprouts to remove any dirt and loose leaves. Trim the stem off each sprout and quarter them. You can cut them in half if you prefer, but this may depend on the size of the sprouts.
- Place the cut Brussels in a bowl, set aside, and preheat your air fryer to 375º F.
- In a small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients until smooth and then pour over the Brussels sprouts. Toss to ensure all of the sprouts are coated in the balsamic mixture.
- Place the Brussels sprouts in the air fryer and cook for about six to seven minutes. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to roast them in two batches, as you do not want to overcrowd your air fryer.
- After the time expires, mix up the sprouts and then roast for an additional six minutes, or until crispy on the outside. Enjoy immediately.
