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These Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Citrus Vinaigrette are easy to make and loaded with mouthwatering flavors in every bite. You only need a few basic ingredients to whip up an incredible Brussels sprouts salad that guarantees to impress a crowd!
Here are a few more great dishes to make in your air fryer: Garlic Asparagus, Honey Garlic Wings, Fried Green Tomatoes, Sweet Plantains with Crema, and Homemade Hash Browns.
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Brussels sprouts used to get a seriously bad rap, but in recent years people are finally starting to see them for what they really are—crazy delicious. I love blood oranges (especially during the citrus season), so when I recently had a craving for brussels sprouts salad, I decided to pair the dish with a fresh citrus vinaigrette. Thus, this recipe for crispy air fryer brussels sprouts with citrus vinaigrette was born.
My favorite trick for the tastiest sprout salad is using air fried brussels sprouts instead of raw ones. I know it’s an extra step, but trust me when I say it’s worth it. Air frying them removes the bitterness and enhances the natural sweetness, leaving you with melt-in-your-mouth brussels sprouts with extra crispy leaves.
If you’re looking for the ultimate summer side dish, then you have to try these crispy air fryer brussels sprouts. This dish is an all-around home run between the crunchy texture and fresh burst of citrus flavor in every bite. Serve it up with some grilled steak or chicken wings and buttery cornbread for a meal your friends will be drooling over.
Key Ingredients
Let’s break down what you’ll need to make this air fryer brussels sprouts salad.
Brussels Sprouts
The star of this tasty side dish! Grab the freshest brussels sprouts you can find at the grocery store and halve them before cooking.
Red Onion
I love the pop of color and mild sweet bite that red onions add.
Seasoning Blend
You’ll need salt, pepper, granulated garlic, and Italian seasoning for this dish.
Orange Juice
Fresh is best, so grab a few ripe oranges and get juicing!
Honey
This adds binds our vinaigrette and adds a hint of sweetness to the salad dressing.
Olive Oil
This is the base of any vinaigrette, and ours is no different. Make sure to use high-quality olive oil for the best results.
Orange Zest
The zest of a navel orange adds tons of fresh, citrus flavor.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Ready to make the best crispy air fryer brussels sprouts with citrus vinaigrette? All you have to do is follow a few simple steps, and in under 30 minutes, you’ll be in flavor heaven.
Step 1: Air Fry Brussels Sprouts
To a large mixing bowl, add the brussels sprouts, red onion, seasonings, and avocado oil. Mix to evenly coat, then spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Add the brussels sprout mixture in an even layer, then air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes. Stir the sprouts, then cook for another 6 minutes.
Step 2: Make Citrus Vinaigrette
In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, orange zest, orange juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil until thoroughly blended.
Step 3: Mix It All Together
Once the brussels sprouts are finished cooking, toss them with the vinaigrette. Garnish with cranberries, hazelnuts, and orange segments. Enjoy hot.
Crispy Brussels Sprouts Recipe Tips and Variations
Here are some of my top tips for success to help you make this dish even more delicious:
- You can reduce the recipe by halving the ingredients and cutting down the cooking time accordingly.
- If your brussels sprouts are on the larger side, I recommend cutting them into quarters. Try to make sure the pieces are all around the same size before tossing them into the air fryer to ensure even cooking.
- Swap out the orange juice for the juice of blood orange, lemon, or grapefruit instead. These would all work great for a citrus vinaigrette.
- You can quickly turn this into a chopped brussels sprouts salad by waiting for the sprouts to cool slightly, then using a sharp knife to cut them into thinly sliced pieces before mixing them with the vinaigrette.
- Double up on the vinaigrette and save the leftovers to enjoy on salads for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
- If you want to prep ahead of time, you can air fry brussels sprouts up to 24 hours in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to heat them and enjoy.
- To make orange segments, peel orange and cut in between the membrane (white part) of each piece of orange.
- You can omit the hazelnuts or use pecans, peanuts or cashews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about this crispy air fryer brussels sprouts recipe:
Blood oranges have a unique flavor compared to other oranges, and they feature a distinct crimson-colored flesh that tastes mildly sweet with notes of citrus and raspberry. You can find them in abundance from December thru April.
To clean your brussels sprouts, rinse them under cold water to remove any dirt. Then, pat them dry and use a sharp knife to remove the stem. Peel away any blemished outer leaves and proceed with the recipe as instructed.
People often toss out the outer leaves of the brussels sprouts before cooking the sprouts themselves, but I think this is a huge mistake. When roasted or air fried, those leaves crisp up beautifully—almost like little vegetable chips. Save the leaves and pop them into the air fryer at 370°F for 5-7 minutes, then enjoy hot.
Absolutely. You can store the crispy brussels sprouts in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge for 24-48 hours before using and reheat them in a 350°F air fryer for 5-8 minutes.
You can keep the citrus vinaigrette in an airtight jar or container in the fridge for up to 7 days. Give it a shake before using it.
More Delicious Side Dish Ideas
If you liked these air fryer crispy brussels sprouts, try these dishes next:
- Southern Green Beans
- Maque Choux (Cajun Smothered Corn)
- Sweet Potato Cornbread
- BBQ Baked Beans
- New Orleans Baked Mac and Cheese
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Give this recipe a try for your next get-together, and be prepared to amaze your guests with your incredible cooking skills! Not only are these brussels sprouts crispy, but they’re also packed with delicious flavor. Be sure to leave me a 5-star rating if you give this recipe a try – I love hearing from you!
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📖 Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Citrus Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Brussels Sprouts:
- 1 small red onion chopped
- 2 lbs. Brussels sprouts ends removed, halved
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- avocado cooking spray
Citrus Vinaigrette:
- zest of ½ navel orange
- 3 tablespoons orange juice ½ oranges
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 garlic clove chopped fine
- 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped roasted hazelnuts
- 2 oranges segmented
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the red onion, Brussels sprouts, salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and avocado oil until brussels sprouts are evenly coated. Spray the air fryer's bottom grate for 4 seconds with cooking spray, add the Brussels sprouts evenly in one layer. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes. Stir once or twice, and cook for 6 minutes.
- While Brussel sprouts cook in a large bowl, whisk together orange zest, orange juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil until blended. Toss hot Brussels sprouts in vinaigrette, garnish with cranberries, hazelnuts and orange segments. Enjoy hot.
Notes
- You can reduce the recipe by halving the ingredients and cutting down the cooking time accordingly.
- If your brussels sprouts are on the larger side, I recommend cutting them into quarters. Try to make sure the pieces are all around the same size before tossing them into the air fryer to ensure even cooking.
- Swap out the orange juice for the juice of blood orange, lemon, or grapefruit instead. These would all work great for a citrus vinaigrette.
- You can quickly turn this into a chopped brussels sprouts salad by waiting for the sprouts to cool slightly, then using a sharp knife to cut them into thinly sliced pieces before mixing them with the vinaigrette.
- Double up on the vinaigrette and save the leftovers to enjoy on salads for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
- If you want to prep ahead of time, you can air fry brussels sprouts up to 24 hours in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to heat them and enjoy.
- To make orange segments, peel orange and cut in between the membrane (white part) of each piece of orange.
- You can omit the hazelnuts or use pecans, peanuts or cashews.
- You can store the crispy brussels sprouts in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge for 24-48 hours before using and reheat them in a 350°F air fryer for 5-8 minutes.
- You can keep the citrus vinaigrette in an airtight jar or container in the fridge for up to 7 days. Give it a shake before using it.
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