Introduction
Okay, real talk for a second. Did Brussels sprouts used to be the vegetable you’d politely push around your plate? Yeah, me too! But oh, how times have changed! Especially since I discovered the magic of the air fryer and this ridiculously simple sweet chili glaze. Seriously, these aren’t your grandma’s boiled, sulfur-smelling sprouts (no offense to grandma!). These are crispy, sticky-sweet, slightly spicy bites of pure deliciousness that disappear faster than you can make them.
This recipe is truly a game-changer. It’s SO quick – perfect for a busy weeknight side dish or even a surprisingly popular party appetizer. It takes plain old Brussels sprouts and turns them into something utterly craveable. Get ready to fall in love!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, we’re talking under 20 minutes total time. Weeknight warrior status activated!
- Easy: Toss, air fry, toss, air fry again. That’s pretty much it. No fancy techniques needed.
- Giftable: Okay, maybe not “giftable” in the traditional sense, but make these for a friend’s potluck or dinner party and watch them beg for the recipe. That’s a gift, right?
- Crowd-pleasing: Even sprout skeptics tend to get converted by these. The sweet and sticky glaze is just irresistible.
Ingredients
Gather ’round, friends! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this magic:
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts: Look for bright green ones that feel firm. We’ll give them a little trim and a haircut (halving them!).
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Just enough to help them crisp up and get that seasoning to stick. Any neutral oil works here, too!
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Gotta have salt to bring out those flavors!
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper: A little kick of classic pepper goodness.
- 2-3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce: This is the star of the show! That perfect balance of sweet heat that coats the sprouts in sticky perfection. You can adjust the amount based on how saucy you like things.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! It’s ridiculously simple, I promise.
Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer
First things first, get your air fryer nice and hot. Set it to 375°F (190°C). This preheating step is key for getting things crispy right from the start.
Step 2: Prep and Season the Sprouts
While your air fryer heats up, grab a medium-sized bowl. Toss those trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts in there. Drizzle the olive oil over them, then sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Give everything a good toss with your hands or a spoon until each sprout piece is nicely coated. Make sure they’re all friends and introduced to the seasoning!
Step 3: First Air Fry Run
Carefully arrange the seasoned sprouts in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Try not to overcrowd it – cooking in batches is better than ending up with soggy sprouts. Close that basket up and cook for 12-15 minutes. About halfway through (around the 6-7 minute mark), pull the basket out and give it a good shake. This helps them cook evenly and get crispy all around. You’re looking for them to be tender when you poke them and have some lovely crispy, browned edges.
Step 4: Add the Sweet Chili Glaze
Once the first cooking time is up, carefully remove the sprouts from the air fryer basket and pop them back into that medium bowl you used earlier. Now for the magic! Pour the sweet chili sauce over the warm sprouts and gently toss until every single sprout is glistening and coated in that beautiful sticky sauce.
Step 5: Second Air Fry Run (for Stickiness!)
Return the sauced sprouts back to the air fryer basket. Again, a single layer is best if possible. Cook for just an additional 2-3 minutes. This short time helps the sweet chili sauce get nice and sticky and slightly caramelized on the sprouts. Watch them closely during this last step, as the sauce can caramelize quickly!
Step 6: Serve Immediately!
Scoop those glorious, sticky, crispy-tender sprouts out of the air fryer and serve them right away. They are best enjoyed piping hot when the texture is just perfect.
Substitutions & Additions
Want to play around a bit? Great! Here are a few ideas:
- Different Sauce: Not a sweet chili fan? Try tossing them with a balsamic glaze, a little soy sauce and honey, or even a lemon-herb dressing after cooking.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the salt and pepper in the initial toss if you like more heat.
- Crunchy Additions: Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, or slivered almonds right before serving for extra texture.
- Garlic Power: Toss in a minced clove of garlic during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking after adding the sweet chili sauce (be careful not to burn it!).
Tips for Success
A couple of little pointers to make sure your sprouts turn out perfect every time:
- Don’t Crowd the Basket: This is probably the most important tip for air frying ANYTHING. If the sprouts are piled on top of each other, they’ll steam instead of crisp. Cook in batches if you need to!
- Shake It Up: Don’t forget to shake the basket halfway through the first cooking time. This ensures even browning and crisping.
- Trim Properly: Make sure to trim off the very end of the stem and remove any loose or sad-looking outer leaves before halving them.
- Prep Ahead: You can wash and trim/halve the Brussels sprouts a day in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Don’t oil or season them until you’re ready to cook.
How to Store It
If you happen to have any of these magical sprouts leftover (a rare occurrence in my house!), let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until warmed through and slightly crispy again. The microwave works for reheating too, but you’ll lose some of that lovely crispy texture.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got (brief) answers!
Q: Can I use frozen Brussels sprouts?
A: I highly recommend using fresh for the best crispy texture. Frozen sprouts tend to hold too much water and get a bit mushy in the air fryer.
Q: What kind of sweet chili sauce should I use?
A: Any store-bought variety you like works great! They vary slightly in heat and sweetness, so use your favorite.
Q: Can I make these in the oven instead?
A: Yes! Toss sprouts with oil, salt, and pepper. Roast on a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and browned. Then toss with sweet chili sauce and return to the oven for 5-7 minutes until sticky.
Addictively Easy Sweet Chili Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Medium bowl
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts Look for bright green ones that feel firm. We'll give them a little trim and a haircut (halving them!).
- 1 tablespoon olive oil Any neutral oil works here, too!
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.125 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce Use 2-3 tablespoons. Adjust the amount based on how saucy you like things. Any store-bought variety you like works great!
Instructions
- Preheat Your Air Fryer. First things first, get your air fryer nice and hot. Set it to 375°F (190°C). This preheating step is key for getting things crispy right from the start.
- Prep and Season the Sprouts. While your air fryer heats up, grab a medium-sized bowl. Toss those trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts in there. Drizzle the olive oil over them, then sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Give everything a good toss with your hands or a spoon until each sprout piece is nicely coated. Make sure they're all friends and introduced to the seasoning!
- First Air Fry Run. Carefully arrange the seasoned sprouts in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Try not to overcrowd it – cooking in batches is better than ending up with soggy sprouts. Close that basket up and cook for 12-15 minutes. About halfway through (around the 6-7 minute mark), pull the basket out and give it a good shake. This helps them cook evenly and get crispy all around. You're looking for them to be tender when you poke them and have some lovely crispy, browned edges.
- Add the Sweet Chili Glaze. Once the first cooking time is up, carefully remove the sprouts from the air fryer basket and pop them back into that medium bowl you used earlier. Now for the magic! Pour the sweet chili sauce over the warm sprouts and gently toss until every single sprout is glistening and coated in that beautiful sticky sauce.
- Second Air Fry Run (for Stickiness!). Return the sauced sprouts back to the air fryer basket. Again, a single layer is best if possible. Cook for just an additional 2-3 minutes. This short time helps the sweet chili sauce get nice and sticky and slightly caramelized on the sprouts. Watch them closely during this last step, as the sauce can caramelize quickly!
- Serve Immediately! Scoop those glorious, sticky, crispy-tender sprouts out of the air fryer and serve them right away. They are best enjoyed piping hot when the texture is just perfect.
Notes
* **Different Sauce:** Try tossing them with a balsamic glaze, a little soy sauce and honey, or even a lemon-herb dressing after cooking.
* **Spice It Up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the salt and pepper in the initial toss if you like more heat.
* **Crunchy Additions:** Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, or slivered almonds right before serving for extra texture.
* **Garlic Power:** Toss in a minced clove of garlic during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking after adding the sweet chili sauce (be careful not to burn it!). Tips for Success:
* **Don't Crowd the Basket:** This is probably the most important tip for air frying ANYTHING. If the sprouts are piled on top of each other, they'll steam instead of crisp. Cook in batches if you need to!
* **Shake It Up:** Don't forget to shake the basket halfway through the first cooking time. This ensures even browning and crisping.
* **Trim Properly:** Make sure to trim off the very end of the stem and remove any loose or sad-looking outer leaves before halving them.
* **Prep Ahead:** You can wash and trim/halve the Brussels sprouts a day in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Don't oil or season them until you're ready to cook. How to Store It:
If you happen to have any of these magical sprouts leftover (a rare occurrence in my house!), let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until warmed through and slightly crispy again. The microwave works for reheating too, but you'll lose some of that lovely crispy texture. FAQs:
* **Can I use frozen Brussels sprouts?** I highly recommend using fresh for the best crispy texture. Frozen sprouts tend to hold too much water and get a bit mushy in the air fryer.
* **What kind of sweet chili sauce should I use?** Any store-bought variety you like works great! They vary slightly in heat and sweetness, so use your favorite.
* **Can I make these in the oven instead?** Yes! Toss sprouts with oil, salt, and pepper. Roast on a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and browned. Then toss with sweet chili sauce and return to the oven for 5-7 minutes until sticky.