Easy Air Fryer Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts Recipe

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Bursting with umami, this Air Fryer Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts recipe is ready to impress your guests in under 20 minutes. šŸ˜‹ Fry it, to believe it!

šŸšØ Warning! This Brussels sprouts recipe is my second-best favorite, just next to the bacon-wrapped one.

It’s a sweet and savory vegetarian side dish, perfectly complemented by the intense flavor of balsamic vinegarā€”the very definition of umami.

One thing that I don’t like, though, is it didn’t end up crispy since I coated it with honey balsamic glaze after air frying.

Air fryer honey balsamic Brussels sprouts recipe bite shot, served in a small bowl.

There’s no question about the taste. But if you want to make this Balsamic Brussels Sprouts Air Fryer recipe more crispy, I’ll leave a note below.

Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts Air Fryer Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for balsamic brussels sprouts air fryer recipe.

Hereā€™s what you need to make the Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Balsamic recipe.

  • Brussels sprouts
  • Vegetable oil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Honey
  • Salt
  • Pepper

šŸ“£ You can find the exact measurements and adjust the number of servings in the recipe card down below.

Brussels Sprouts

It’s best to use medium-to-large-size Brussels sprouts. Cutting them in half will incorporate more flavor.

If you prefer using smaller Brussels sprouts, slicing is not necessary. It’s going to shrink even smaller after air frying.

Fresh Brussels sprouts are always better (and less bitter).

Balsamic Vinegar vs. Balsamic Glaze

Balsamic glaze is what you get when you reduce balsamic vinegar. The former is sweeter, thicker in consistency, and less acidic.

I tested four variations of using balsamic vinegar in roasted Brussels sprouts. Reduced or not, the balsamic vinegar tasted bitter/burnt when air fried.

What tasted best in our test was adding balsamic vinegar after air frying. That’s what we’re going to use in this recipe.

test results: balsamic glaze vs balsamic vinegar

To further enhance the flavor of the balsamic vinegar, I added honey to it. By the way, this mixture is called honey balsamic glaze.

I could further reduce it for a thicker consistency, but I want to retain its acidity, so I chose not to.

Some recipes suggest adding balsamic before cooking. That’s okay with traditional methods but not with an air fryer, based on our test.

Thus, for the Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Balsamic recipe, it’s better to add the balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze after you cook it. That works similarly to the buffalo Brussels sprouts.

šŸ˜‹ More Tasty Brussels Sprouts Recipes

How to Cook Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts in the Air Fryer?

Making Air Fryer Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts is a straightforward process. It will only take you 20 minutes to complete this healthy and savory side dish.

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400ĀŗF (204ĀŗC).

Preheating air fryer to 400Ā°F (204Ā°C)

If your air fryer doesnā€™t have a preheat mode, you can simply set the temperature to 400ĀŗF (204ĀŗC) and then let it run for 5 minutes.

Or you can skip this step by adding 2-5 minutes to your cooking time until you achieve a golden brown finish.

2. Prep the Brussels sprouts.

Halved brussels sprouts on a chopping board

While preheating, remove any outer leaves with discoloration and cut the base of the stem. Then, slice the Brussels sprouts in half or quarter them if they are still too big.

šŸ’” Pro Tip: If you want a softer texture, soak the small cruciferous vegetables in warm water before coating them with seasonings.

3. Season the Brussels sprouts.

Seasoning Brussel Sprouts in a large bowl

In a large bowl, season the halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

4. Air fry the Brussels sprouts for 12ā€“15 minutes.

Cooking honey balsamic Brussels sprouts in air fryer

Once the halved Brussels sprouts have been evenly coated with seasoning, air fry them for 12-15 minutes at 400Ā°F (204Ā°C). Don’t forget to flip them halfway for even browning.

Caramelizing your Brussels sprout tones down their bitterness. Cooking them for longer at high temperatures brings out their natural sugar content.

šŸ’” Pro Tip: If you want to make your Brussels sprouts crispy, add 2-4 minutes or more until the outer layer becomes crunchy. You also have to reduce the honey balsamic glaze so it doesn’t get absorbed by the Brussels sprouts. Or you could use balsamic glaze instead.

šŸ“ Note: We used a 6-quart air fryer to test this recipe. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making.

5. Prepare the Honey Balsamic Glaze.

Mixing honey with balsamic vinegar

While the Brussels sprouts are air frying, it’s time to make the honey balsamic glaze. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and a teaspoon of honey.

Optionally, you can reduce this mixture for a thicker consistency.

6. Coat the Air-Fried Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Honey Glaze.

Coating brussel sprouts with balsamic honey glaze in a large bowl

After air frying Brussels sprouts, coat them with the honey balsamic glaze. Mix until evenly coated.

Alternatively, you can skip this step to retain the crispy texture of the air fried vegetables. You can just serve the balsamic honey glaze as a dip.

7. Serve hot & enjoy your Balsamic Brussels sprouts!

Air fried brussels sprouts with balsamic honey glaze served in a plate.

Thatā€™s the Air Fryer Balsamic Brussels Sprouts recipe!

Super quick and easy, right?

All that’s left is for you to make your favorite steak or maybe a salmon dish.

You can also top it off with bacon bits for added texture and smokiness.

Health Benefits of Brussels Sprouts

With the proper cooking technique, Brussels sprouts can be tasty and at the same time, a good source of essential nutrients. It’s high in Vitamin C and Vitamin K.

Vitamin K is vital in our bone health and blood clotting. Some research suggests that vitamin K may benefit the heart by helping to keep the blood vessels healthy.

Vitamin C, on the other hand, keeps our immune system strong. It’s a potent antioxidant that can protect against diseases and prevent damage at a cellular level.

Brussels sprouts are also a good source of Vitamin B9, which plays a vital role in synthesizing and repairing our DNA.

Those are a few reasons you should make this Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Balsamic recipe once in a while.

If you like the Honey Balsamic Brussels sprouts, you might also want to try these recipes.

Or you can also check all the best air fryer Brussels sprouts.

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Balsamic Recipe FAQs

What’s the difference between balsamic glaze and honey balsamic glaze?

Balsamic glaze is a condiment made by reducing balsamic vinegar. If honey is added to the balsamic vinegar while reducing it, it is referred to as honey balsamic glaze.

Why did my Brussels sprouts burn in the air fryer?

To prevent Brussels sprouts from burning, it is important to flip them halfway when cooking. In addition, you also need to check them constantly when it’s almost done cooking. Air frying time and temperature may vary from brand to brand.

How to make balsamic glaze?

To make balsamic glaze, simply simmer the balsamic vinegar in a small pot until it becomes thick.

How to make honey balsamic glaze?

To make honey balsamic glaze, add 1 teaspoon honey to 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. Simmer them in a small pot until the mixture becomes thick.

Air Fryer Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts served in a plate.

Easy Air Fryer Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

rosel about pic 750pxRosel
Bursting with umami, this Air Fryer Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts recipe is ready to impress your guests in under 20 minutes. šŸ˜‹ Fry it, to believe it!
4.50 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings
Calories 184 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts halved
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
  • Ā¼ teaspoon salt
  • ā…› teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon honey

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your air fryer to 400Ā°F (204Ā°C) for 5 minutes.
    preheating air fryer
  • While preheating, prepare Brussels sprouts by removing a little bit of the stem and removing the ragged leaves. Then, cut it in half or quarter it if they're bigger. The goal is to slice them in equal sizes.
    halved brussel sprouts
  • Season the halved Brussels sprouts in a large bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss or use your hands to ensure the Brussels sprouts are fully coated.
    seasoning brussel sprouts
  • Air fry the Brussels Sprouts for 12-15 minutes at 400Ā°F (204Ā°C). Halfway through, flip all Brussels sprouts or shake them.
    balsamic brussels sprouts in air fryer
  • In a small bowl, combine one teaspoon of honey and two tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. Optionally, you can reduce this mixture by simmering it for a thicker consistency.
    preparing honey balsamic glaze
  • After cooking, transfer the air-fried Brussels sprouts into a large bowl. Using a spoon or a pair of tongs, toss the Brussels sprouts to evenly coat them with the honey balsamic glaze mixture.
    tossing air-fried brussels sprouts in balsamic honey glaze
  • Serve hot, and enjoy your honey balsamic Brussels sprouts!
    Balsamic Brussels Sprouts Air Fryer Recipe

Video

Notes

  • If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat mode, you can simply set the temperature to 400ĀŗF (204ĀŗC) and then let it cook for 5 minutes.
  • You can skip preheating by adding 2-5 minutes to your cooking time. To prevent your dish from burning, check it every 1-2 minutes.
  • Medium-to-large-size Brussels sprouts will work best for this recipe. Cutting them in half will allow you to incorporate more flavor.
  • If you prefer smaller Brussels sprouts, slicing them is optional, as they will shrink further during air frying.
  • Caramelizing your Brussels sprout tones down their bitterness. Cooking them for longer at high temperatures brings out their natural sugar content.
  • To make it crispy: Air fry the Brussels sprouts for 2-4 minutes or more until the outer layer turns deep golden brown. To prevent burning your cruciferous vegetable, check it every minute or two. You must also use a reduced/thick balsamic glaze to retain its crispy texture. A runny balsamic seasoning will seep into those perfectly crisped layers.
  • For a softer texture: Soak your Brussels sprouts in warm tap water before coating them with seasonings. Drain before doing so.
  • Instead of coating with honey balsamic glaze, you can also serve it as a dip.
  • You can also top it off with bacon bits for added texture and smokiness.
  • I used a 6-quart air fryer to test this Balsamic Brussels sprouts recipe. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time, and add 1-2 more minutes until you achieve a golden brown finish.

Equipment

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Glass Mixing Bowl

Nutrition

Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 351mg | Potassium: 904mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1711IU | Vitamin C: 193mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 3mg
Keywords: air fryer recipes, balsamic brussels sprouts in air fryer, brussel sprouts recipes

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