Fried Brussels Sprouts
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Jun 29, 2025 
These crispy, golden-brown and delicious Fried Brussels Sprouts are restaurant-worthy and so simple to make – no deep fryer required!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
We love making Fried Brussels Sprouts at home to recreate that same crunchy restaurant goodness. They are delicious, braised on the stovetop, or roasted in the oven. However, we finally realized that the reason homemade sprouts are often not quite as crispy at home as they are at restaurants is that restaurants almost always fry them. Of course!
This Crispy Brussels Sprouts recipe is as good, if not better, than the best restaurant-quality dish! You won’t believe how easy it is to make extra crunchy fried Brussels Sprouts at home, with no deep fryer needed. In my opinion, the tastiest Brussels Sprouts are prepared in such a way that preserves their wonderfully earthy, fresh flavor and crunch. Frying is the perfect cooking method for giving Brussels that crave-able crispy texture, while also making it easier to avoid overcooking them. There’s nothing sadder than a mushy sprout!
Why You’ll Love Fried Brussels Sprouts
- Perfect texture – These Brussels sprouts are crispy and crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Vegan and gluten-free – This recipe for fried Brussels sprouts is naturally vegan and gluten-free making it the perfect treat for anyone with food intolerances!
- Quick and easy – With just a handful of simple ingredients, enjoy this delicious snack in under 30 minutes.
Top off these fried Brussels sprouts with a thick, robust balsamic glaze to add just the right sweet and tangy taste!
Ingredients and Tips
- Brussels sprouts – I recommend using fresh, not frozen Brussels sprouts.
- Vegetable oil – For best results use vegetable oil, peanut oil, or light olive oil.
- Garlic salt – You can use regular sea salt, but garlic salt adds excellent flavor.
- Balsamic glaze – Use either homemade or store-bought balsamic glaze.
Recipe Variations and Dietary Swaps
- Spicy – Add red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Bacon – Toss the Brussels sprouts with crumbled fried bacon bits for some texture.
- Pine nuts – For extra crunch, mix in some toasted pine nuts.
- Baked – If you’re avoiding fried foods, you can instead bake these Brussels sprouts for 25-30 minutes at 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
How To Make Fried Brussels Sprouts
There’s no need to coat sprouts with any kind of batter or frying agent, like flour or cornmeal. You simply toss Brussels Sprouts into hot oil, strain, and season! The leaves become extra crispy while the entire sprout stays terrifically fork-tender.
Find the full Fried Brussels Sprouts recipe with detailed instructions and storage tips in the printable form at the bottom of the post!
Tips For Success
- Prep Properly – Trim the ends and remove any discolored outer leaves. Halve larger sprouts to ensure even cooking.
- Dry Completely – After washing, ensure the sprouts are completely dry before frying to avoid oil splatter.
- Use High-Heat Oil – Choose oils with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, avocado oil, or peanut oil, for crisp results.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan – Fry in small batches to prevent steaming and ensure maximum crispiness.
- Drain Excess Oil – After frying, place the sprouts on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any extra oil.
- Season Immediately – Toss the sprouts with salt or seasonings while they’re still hot to help flavors stick.
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Place leftover Brussels sprouts in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating Leftovers – Reheat in an air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit or in a saucepan over medium heat.
Serving Suggestions
These perfectly crispy Fried Brussels Sprouts make the most delicious appetizer, snack and side dish.
Drizzle them with balsamic glaze or hot honey, and serve them alongside my homemade Magic Aioli for a great dipping sauce.
These Brussels Sprouts pair well with a variety of meats, like this Bavette Steak recipe and this Roasted Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin.
Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Video
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Brussels sprouts halved
- 4-5 cups vegetable oil or peanut oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- ¼ cup balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F, to act as a warmer.
- Set a large deep cast iron skillet (or sauce pot) over medium-high heat. Add 1-2 inches of oil to the pan. Place a cooking thermometer on the side of the pan.
- As the oil warm, line a large plate or rimmed baking sheet with paper towels. Trim the stem tip of each sprout and cut them in half. Leave the cut-stem attached so the Brussels leaves hold together.
- Wait until the oil reaches 375-400 degrees F. Working in 4 small batches, use a spider skimmer with a long handle to gently lower one-quarter of the Brussels Sprouts into the hot oil.
- Quickly step back… They might pop in the first 10 seconds, as the internal moisture hits the oil. Then as the popping slows, gently stir the Brussels and let them fry 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
- Use the skimmer to move the Brussels Sprouts to the holding plate. Sprinkle generously with garlic salt. Then repeat three more times. Move the plate/try to the warm over to keep crispy until ready to serve.
- Serve warm with a drizzle of thick balsamic glaze over the top!
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Toss the Brussels sprouts with oil and air-fry at 400°F (190°C) for about 4-9 minutes, shaking halfway through. For baking, roast at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping once.
Check out our Best Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts (Fresh or Frozen)!
No. Avoid using frozen Brussels sprouts because they will release a lot of water and the dish will turn soggy.
That’s because the moisture inside the sprouts quickly expands when exposed to hot oil. Make sure to stand back in order to avoid being burned by hot oil!
Not made yet
thank you, yes would have assumed these require a fryer, I great to be able to make them in a skillet, and nice too to be able to make these at home
My family enjoyed this Crispy Brussel Sprouts recipe so much. It is so easy to make and satisfyingly good. Would love to try it again.
These are seriously the best!! Love the many ways you can eat brussels sprouts, but this way is my favorite, especially because of the balsamic glaze!
this recipe is amazing and I love brussel sprouts, especially when they are crispy like this. thank you so much for sharing
Crispy and so delicious – wonderful recipe, everyone in my family loved them!
Just made this and WOW!! Delicious. Just be warned that the vegetable oil WILL make a mess when frying. Other than the clean up… 🧼 I give this recipe a 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Super awesome!!! Even better than restaurant versions. I skipped the balsamic and served them with a spicy dipped sauce. I will definitely be making these again.
This is really amazing! Such a delicious side dish! Everyone at my house loved it.
The best crispy Brussels that I have found
What an amazing brussels sprouts Sommer…and it looks soo good & more crispy as well….am can’t wait to try it…Thanks for sharing a beautiful recipe….!
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