These air fryer frozen Brussel sprouts come out golden, crispy, and totally delicious in just 20 minutes—straight from the freezer! No thawing, no prep, and only a handful of pantry ingredients. It’s the ultimate easy weeknight veggie side dish.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ✅ Recipe Name: Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts (Crispy in 20 Minutes)
- 🕒 Ready In: 20 minutes
- 👪 Serves: 4
- 🍽 Calories: ~90–110 per serving (without toppings)
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Frozen Brussels sprouts, olive oil or avocado oil, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, pepper
- 📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, healthy
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Crispy, golden, and ready straight from the freezer with zero prep. A healthy, weeknight side you can keep simple or dress up with parmesan, bacon, or lemon.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
I’ll be honest — frozen veggies used to be my last resort, but once I started tossing them in the air fryer, everything changed. Brussels sprouts went from a soggy side dish to one of my weeknight MVPs. No chopping, no thawing, just straight into the basket and out come crispy, golden little bites that taste like they’ve been oven-roasted for an hour.
I love keeping a bag of frozen Brussels in the freezer for nights when I need something green fast. They pair perfectly with air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs, healthy mac & cheese, and this secretly healthy alfredo pasta. Easy, healthy, and seriously addicting.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients You'll Need
- Substitutions & Variations
- Need to substitute an ingredient?
- How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts (Step-by-Step)
- 1 Minute Video Tutorial
- Top Recipe Tips
- What to Serve with Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storage Tips
- More Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- No prep required – cook sprouts straight from frozen, no chopping needed.
- Quick + easy – just 20 minutes in the air fryer.
- Crispy edges, tender inside – tastes like oven-roasted sprouts without the 45-minute wait.
- Customizable – keep it simple with salt + pepper, or dress them up with parmesan, balsamic, or chili flakes.
- Healthy – air frying uses minimal oil, and Brussels sprouts are packed with fiber and vitamin C.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Frozen Brussels sprouts: I always keep a bag in my freezer for quick sides. No trimming or thawing needed — they go straight into the air fryer and crisp up beautifully.
- Olive oil or avocado oil: A light drizzle helps the spices stick and gives you that golden, roasted texture without needing a ton of oil. I like avocado oil for its high smoke point, but either works.
- Cornstarch: My secret ingredient for extra crunch! It soaks up any surface moisture and helps the edges crisp faster in the air fryer. Trust me.
- Garlic powder, salt, and black pepper: A simple but reliable combo that brings out the natural sweetness of Brussels sprouts. Garlic powder especially gives that savory, roasted flavor.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For a touch of heat. I sprinkle these on when I’m making them just for me, but you can skip if serving to kids.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Make it gluten-free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
- Make it dairy-free & vegan: Simply omit the parmesan cheese and use nutritional yeast instead for that cheesy flavor!
- Make it spicy: Sprinkle with cayenne or chili powder.
- Cornstarch substitute: If you don’t have it, arrowroot starch and tapioca flour work too.
- Fun flavor upgrades: Toss the cooked sprouts with balsamic glaze, buffalo sauce, honey mustard, homemade teriyaki sauce, or a drizzle of hot honey for a totally different vibe.
- Seasonings Swaps: Garlic powder is my go-to, but you can swap in onion powder, smoked paprika, or Italian seasoning for a different flavor twist.
Need to substitute an ingredient?
Ask AI for suggestions on how to substitute the particular ingredient.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts (Step-by-Step)
- Step 1: Toss frozen Brussels sprouts with oil, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Step 2: Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Step 3: Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, then shake the basket and add parmesan if using.
- Step 4: Air fry for another 5–7 minutes until golden and crispy. Enjoy hot with a squeeze of lemon, crispy bacon, or your favorite dipping sauce!
1 Minute Video Tutorial
Top Recipe Tips
- Cook from frozen, always: I’ve tested this recipe both ways, and sprouts actually turn out crispier if you skip thawing. Straight from the freezer is the way to go.
- Cornstarch is the secret weapon: After lots of testing, I’ve found a tiny dusting of cornstarch makes a big difference for crunch — especially if your sprouts come with ice crystals.
- Work in batches if needed: I’ve made these in both small and large air fryers. In smaller baskets, overcrowding leads to soggy sprouts. Spread them out and cook in two rounds if you need to.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Frozen Brussels Sprouts
These crispy Brussels sprouts make a super versatile side dish, so you can pair them with just about anything you’re cooking up for dinner.
- Protein mains: Try these grilled boneless skinless chicken thighs or this ground beef and zucchini casserole for a protein-packed meal, but they also go great with air fryer teriyaki salmon bites.
- Lighter options: Try them alongside my Blackened salmon Caesar salad or open-faced tuna melts.
- Comfort food: Serve them with this healthy mac and cheese or one pot lasagna soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nope! Cook them straight from the freezer. That’s what makes this recipe so easy.
Don’t overcrowd the basket, shake halfway, and cook at high heat (390–400°F). A pinch of cornstarch also helps with crispiness.
Yes! They’re high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, and air frying uses very little oil compared to deep frying.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes until warmed and crispy again (they won’t be quite as crunchy as fresh, but still tasty).
More Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love
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Did you make this recipe?
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients
- 1 (10–12 oz bag) frozen Brussels sprouts
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional, for heat
- Parmesan cheese, crispy bacon, or lemon juice (for serving)
Instructions
- Season the sprouts: Add frozen Brussels sprouts to a mixing bowl. DO NOT THAW. Toss with avocado oil, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes until evenly coated. No need to cut or thaw them!
- Air fry: Spread in an even layer in the air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd). Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes.
- Shake & finish: Shake the basket, then cook for another 5–10 minutes, until the sprouts are golden and crispy on the outside and tender inside.
- Serve: Sprinkle with Parmesan while hot, or serve with crispy bacon or a squeeze of lemon.
Tati Chermayeff says
A family favorite in our house! I love Brussels sprouts, but waiting 45+ minutes in the oven (plus all the prep) is too long. This recipe is perfect when I’m short on time but still want crispy, hassle-free Brussels sprouts that taste amazing. I love tossing mine in buffalo or teriyaki sauce for extra flavor.