Cajun Brussels Sprouts

Made in the oven or in the air fryer, these Cajun Brussels Sprouts are a crispy, flavorful snack or side dish.

Spicy Brussels Sprouts

My guys are big fans of spicy foods, so I figured they’d enjoy these Brussels. What I didn’t expect was just how thrilled they were with them. My oldest son isn’t a fan of Brussels sprouts at all and he stood at the counter and kept snacking on this batch.

Apparently, Spicy Brussel Sprouts are in a class of their own when it comes to vegetables for my crew. While these are terrific on their own, they’re also pretty darn tasty with a dipping sauce. Airfry just the leaves for a treat of Brussels Sprouts chips.

Spicy sweet combinations are a personal favorite for me, so a light drizzle of honey or maple syrup is a solid option as well.

Spicy Roasted Brussel Sprouts

• olive oil
• Brussels sprouts
• smoked paprika or plain
• granulated garlic or garlic powder
• granulated onion or onion powder
• crushed oregano
• crushed thyme
• kosher salt
• freshly ground pepper
• cayenne pepper

Alternatively, 2 teaspoons of your favorite Cajun seasoning blend may be substituted for all of the spices in this recipe. I love this homemade spice blend and keep it ready to go in the pantry.

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe

1. Preheat your air fryer or oven to 400°F. Place the Brussels sprouts in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with paprika, garlic, onion, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Toss to coat thoroughly.
2. Place the Brussels sprouts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry the Brussels sprouts for 9-10 minutes.
3. If you are using a basket-style air fry, toss the basket after about 5 minutes for even cooking. The pieces should be slightly crisp and fork-tender when done. (Don’t fret the charred bits, they’re my favorite part!)

I use the COSORI Air Fryer for all of my air fryer recipes. I’m partial to a square basket air fryer as I find it easier to fit more food into the basket. This is a 5.8QT air fryer, one of the largest machines I’ve found that works effectively.

My first machine (photographed in several recipes here) was a bit retro with simple knob controls and I liked it a lot. However, that machine was recalled recently and the company sent out a replacement. I like the new machine every bit as much and have linked it above.

This air fryer is surprisingly easy to clean and the two-part basket locks together (it’s literally impossible for it to detach the way some do) until you open the latch and then push the button to release it. I simply wipe down the baskets with a sudsy dish scrub brush or sponge, rinse and let them air dry on the counter.

Oven Roasted Spicy Brussels Sprouts

Not a fan of the air-fryer? This recipe can easily be made in the oven as well.

Preheat the oven to 400°F and spread the Brussels sprouts across a large sheet pan (I like these pans best!) in a single layer. Roast for 18-20 minutes, until the Brussels are slightly crisp and fork-tender when done.

If you’re anything like me and love the crispy brown leaves best, (I snack on every little leaf that separates on the baking sheet!) check out these irresistible crispy Brussels sprout chips too.

For a few more flavorful and spicy dishes, try these recipes next:

The sweet heat of honey sriracha Brussels Sprouts will have everyone devouring these little bites before they make it to the table.

Crispy, roasted, sweet and spicy Bang Bang Brussels Sprouts take this vegetable to a whole new level. These sprouts are inspired by the sauce on our favorite Bang Bang Cauliflower.

Crispy Cajun Cauliflower brings a kiss of heat to this tasty, slightly crunchy side dish. Season cauliflower steaks with the cajun seasoning and make it a meal.

Red Cabbage Slaw is as flavorful as it is colorful. Tangy and a little spicy, it’s great paired with a bbq pork sandwich or burger.

Cajun Chicken with Mushrooms is an addictive combination of spicy and irresistible little bites.