I’ve made Brussels sprouts about a hundred different ways — roasted, steamed, shaved raw into salads — and honestly, the air fryer toaster oven version has quietly become my favorite. Something about the concentrated heat and the constant airflow just does something to them that a regular oven can’t quite match. The outsides get genuinely crunchy while the insides stay tender, and the whole thing takes under 25 minutes start to finish.
The honey-soy glaze here is simple, but it works really well. The soy sauce brings the salt and a little funk, the honey caramelizes fast under high heat and gets slightly sticky, and the sesame oil at the end ties it together. I add red pepper flakes most of the time — it cuts through the sweetness nicely — but you can skip them if you’re feeding people who don’t love heat. To get the best results, you want a solid air fryer toaster oven that holds its temperature and circulates air evenly; cheaper models can have hot spots that char one side before the other side even starts to brown.
One thing I’ll say: don’t skip the step of placing them cut-side down. It sounds fussy but it’s not — it just means more surface area making direct contact with the hot tray, and that’s where all the color comes from. Using a perforated air fryer basket tray instead of a solid pan also helps a lot; the airflow underneath makes a real difference. If you’re using the solid pan that came with your oven, it’ll still work, just maybe add 2 extra minutes.
These are a solid side dish for weeknights alongside pretty much anything, but I’ve also served them as an appetizer at dinner parties and they disappear fast. People who claim to hate Brussels sprouts usually ask for seconds. That might sound like an exaggeration. It’s not.
Air Fryer Toaster Oven Brussels Sprouts with Honey, Soy, and Toasted Sesame
Crispy, caramelized Brussels sprouts glazed with honey and soy, finished with toasted sesame seeds. Ready in under 25 minutes in your air fryer toaster oven.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Preheat your air fryer toaster oven to 400°F on the air fry setting. Give it about 3 minutes to come up to temp.
-
Toss the halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Make sure the cut sides are coated — that's where the browning happens.
-
Arrange them cut-side down in a single layer on the air fryer basket or tray. Don't crowd them. If your oven is small, do two batches.
-
Air fry at 400°F for 12 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the sprouts at the halfway mark.
-
While they cook, stir together the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
-
After 12 minutes the sprouts should be mostly crispy and a little charred on the edges. Pour the glaze over them, toss quickly, then return to the oven for another 4-6 minutes until the glaze is sticky and caramelized.
-
Pull them out, scatter sesame seeds on top, and serve immediately. They lose their crunch fast, so don't wait.
Notes
Cut-side down is non-negotiable for that crispy flat face. Smaller sprouts tend to work better here — big ones can stay raw in the middle by the time the outside is done. If yours are huge, quarter them. The glaze can burn quickly in those last few minutes, so keep an eye on it after the 4-minute mark. Leftovers reheat decently at 375°F for 5 minutes but they'll never be quite as crispy as fresh.
Nutrition
Rate this recipe
Made it? Tap a star to rate.
Written by
Emma is a home cook who loves coaxing big flavor out of a toaster oven — from crispy roasted vegetables to easy weeknight dinners and sweet treats. She develops and tests Toastera's recipes for small-appliance kitchens.
Free: the Toaster Oven Cheat Sheet
Get the printable cheat sheet (temps, cook times & safety tips) plus new recipes. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
