Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, these Brown Sugar Balsamic Brussels Sprouts make a delicious side dish or even a last-minute appetizer. Plus, they're gluten-free, dairy-free, and 21 Day Fix / Weight Watchers friendly!
Table of Contents
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- Equipment
- Step-By-Step Guide with Photos
- Storage
- Main Dish Pairings
You might be wondering why you're getting another new air fryer Brussels sprouts recipe after I posted these Air Fryer Brussels with Lemony Aioli not that long ago...
Well, I am actually just obsessed with how perfectly Brussels sprouts come out in the air fryer.
I mean, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside perfection.
These are actually a copycat recipe of one of my very favorite local restaurants. After I had them, I wanted to try to make them at home immediately so I could have these gorgeous Brussels whenever I wanted (also so I wouldn't have to have them deep-fried 🙈).
And you guys. ✨These✨ Brussels have it all. They're savory, they're sweet, they're tangy. They're gluten-free, dairy-free, and they barely take 15 minutes to make!
Ok, let's do a little Q&A then I'll show you how to make 'em!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my own balsamic glaze instead of using store-bought?
Yes! Just put ½ cup of balsamic vinegar in a small pot and cook over medium to medium-high heat until reduced by slightly more than half - the reduction should coat the back of a spoon and end up being between 2-3 Tablespoons when it's finished. It will also thicken as it cools, so be aware of that.
Do air-fried Brussels sprouts keep well as leftovers?
Air-fried Brussels sprouts are best hot out of the air fryer. That being said, when I do have leftovers (honestly, a rare occasion), I throw them back in the air fryer at 350° to heat back up, and they crisp up again pretty nicely!
Waste not, want not, friends. 🙂
Are these Brown Sugar-Balsamic Brussels Sprouts nutritious?
These little gems have some great things going for them:
- They're both 21 Day Fix and Weight Watchers friendly (check the recipe card for counts!)
- They're gluten-free
- They're dairy-free
- They contain healthy fat from the olive oil, and the Brussels sprouts themselves are pretty nutrient-dense and a good source of fiber (they've even got a little protein!)
There's a bit of sugar in here between the brown sugar and the balsamic glaze, but personally, I feel good about eating and serving these!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Substitutions:
- avocado oil
- refined coconut oil (unrefined will add some coconut flavor).
Substitutions:
- coconut sugar, maple sugar, white sugar
Substitutions:
- See the FAQ section to make your own instead of using store-bought.
See recipe card for quantities.
Equipment
I've tested these in both an air fryer and an oven. I prefer to make them in my air fryer if I can, just because they cook so much faster, but the oven is a great alternative if you're making these for a crowd (they'd be a fantastic holiday side dish)!
How to make Crispy Brown Sugar Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Add the olive oil to your Brussels sprouts and stir to coat. Sprinkle the salt and pepper over them and stir again until everything is well coated.
Add the Brussels sprouts to your air fryer in a single layer (you may need to do two batches depending on the size of your air fryer) and air fry at 400° for 4 minutes, give them a shake or a stir, then pop 'em back in for another 3-5 minutes or until crispy.
Once the sprouts are nice and crispy, put them back in the bowl, sprinkle them with the brown sugar, and toss well to coat. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze.
Enjoy!
Storage
These are best hot out of the air fryer, but I actually think they keep decently well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Just reheat in the air fryer at 350° until they're hot and crispy again.
Pairings
These are some of my favorite main dishes to serve Brown Sugar Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with:
Don't forget to save this Crispy Brown Sugar Balsamic Brussels Sprouts recipe to Pinterest ⇓
📖 Recipe
Crispy Brown Sugar Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
These Air Fryer Brown Sugar Balsamic Brussels sprouts are a quick and easy side dish, appetizer, or vegetarian main dish! Gluten-free & dairy-free!
Ingredients
- 16 oz Brussels sprouts, (4 cups, washed, dried, and halved)
- 8 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt + black pepper, to taste
Finishing ingredients:
Instructions
- If using the oven, preheat it to 450°.
- Add your trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil, stirring to coat. Sprinkle your salt and pepper over them and stir again until everything is well coated.
- Air Fryer: Add the Brussels sprouts to your air fryer in a single layer (you may need to do two batches depending on the size of your air fryer) and air fry at 400° for 4 minutes, give them a shake or a stir, then pop 'em back in for another 3-5 minutes or until crispy.
- Oven: Add your Brussels sprouts to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Give them a stir and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes or until crispy.
- Remove the sprouts from the air fryer or oven and put them back in the bowl. Sprinkle in the brown sugar, and then give everything a good stir to distribute the sugar evenly.
- Serve immediately, drizzling the balsamic glaze over each serving.
Notes
*To make your own balsamic glaze: Put ½ cup of balsamic vinegar in a small pot and cook over medium to medium-high heat until reduced by slightly more than half - the reduction should coat the back of a spoon and end up being between 2-3 Tablespoons when it's finished. It will also thicken as it cools, so be aware of that.
21 Day Fix Container Counts Per Serving: 1 Green, 2 tsp
Weight Watchers Points:Brown Sugar Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: ¼th recipeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 143Total Fat: 9.5gCarbohydrates: 13.6gFiber: 3gProtein: 3g
If you guys give this Crispy Brown Sugar Balsamic Brussels Sprouts recipe a try, let me know what you think! You can leave a comment below or tag me on Insta @thefoodieandthefix. Or if you’re in my private Facebook group, I’d love to see a photo of your creation in there! I hope you enjoy ♥
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