Name: Air-Fried Brussels Sprouts
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives; 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 2 teaspoons juice; 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 pound brussels sprouts , trimmed and halved; 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon table salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 3 shallots , sliced thin; Lemon wedges

Why This Recipe Works

Deep-frying brussels sprouts is something of a project and doesn't yield the healthiest results. We wanted to see if we could use the air fryer to make “fried” brussels sprouts that kept their virtuous qualities but tasted as decadent as their deep-fried counterparts. Our first attempts were promising but not perfect. Since we usually achieve crispiness (when not frying) by using a very hot oven, we tossed the brussels sprouts in a little oil and roasted them in the air fryer at 400 degrees. They crisped up but tasted raw inside: The air fryer was doing too good a job at browning. We tried adding a splash of water before cooking the sprouts, hoping the resulting steam might soften them faster, but no luck. The solution turned out to be more obvious: Lowering the heat to 350 gave the sprouts time to soften on the inside while crisping.

Before You Begin

If you are buying loose brussels sprouts, select those that are about 1½ inches long. Quarter brussels sprouts longer than 2½ inches.

Instructions

for the lemon-chive dipping sauce

Whisk all ingredients together in bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

for the brussels sprouts

Toss brussels sprouts with shallots, oil, salt, and pepper in bowl; transfer to air-fryer basket. Place basket into air fryer and set temperature to 350 degrees. Cook until brussels sprouts are tender, well browned, and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes, tossing halfway through cooking. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with lemon wedges.