Crispy Fried Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Sriracha Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Fry

by: Merrill Stubbs

March28,2011

4

8 Ratings

  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 15 minutes
  • Serves 2 to 4

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

My husband and I love to go to The Vanderbilt in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, on a weeknight, sit at the bar, which faces the open kitchen, and order a bunch of appetizers and nibbles. Nibbles are a Vanderbilt specialty. There's great homemade beef jerky and pickles, and blistered shish*to peppers with dipping salt, but the undisputed star -- which we order every time we go -- is the fried Brussels sprouts. The sprouts arrive in a towering pile; the leaves are pulled apart and fried, with the sweet hearts tossed into the oil and cooked just to the point of tenderness. The crisp shards are then painted with a mix of sriracha, honey and lime juice, making the sprouts tangy, hot and sweet all at once. In an attempt to replicate these at home, I painstakingly peeled a pound of sprouts and got frying. Happily, I discovered that if you're willing to deal with a little hot oil, you can do a pretty good job of replicating these guys at home. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did! —Merrill Stubbs

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts
  • 1 tablespoonsriracha (or to taste)
  • 3 tablespoonshoney
  • Juice of 1 large lime
  • Salt
  • Vegetable oil for frying
Directions
  1. Trim the stem end of the sprouts and gently separate the leaves with your fingers, collecting them in a large bowl. When you reach the heart of the sprout (where it's tough to pry off the remaining leaves), add the heart to the bowl with the leaves.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the sriracha, honey and lime juice. Taste and add more sriracha or honey if you like. Set aside.
  3. Set about 2 inches of oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Heat until a Brussels sprout leaf begins to sizzle and crisp as soon as you add it to the oil. Fry the sprouts in batches, using a screen to protect you from sputtering oil and keeping your face away from the pot as the sprouts cook. Remove the sprouts with a slotted spoon after 30 seconds to a minute, when crisp and brown. Drain them on a double layer of paper towels while you fry the rest of the sprouts.
  4. Once all the sprouts are fried, transfer them to a large bowl and sprinkle them generously with salt. Toss gently to combine. Working quickly, drizzle some of the sauce over the sprouts and toss again to coat lightly. Taste, add more sauce if necessary, and serve immediately, before they wilt!

Tags:

  • American
  • Honey
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Vegetable
  • Fry
  • Gluten-Free
  • Appetizer

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Debbie Ferguson Simmons

  • Chardonnay

  • Larry Campf

  • kaye.spaude

  • kschurms

Popular on Food52

59 Reviews

Bradthoc February 9, 2021

These are the easiest and best tasting sprout snack. Heat up the oil while you prepare the sprouts and dump them in. I fry them up a little like my frites. 4 minutes at 325, then pull them out and turn the heat up to 350. Then back in for a few more minutes! Must try these great tasting sprouts.

Sasha November 6, 2020

Delicious! I cut the honey in half and doubled the lime juice and it was perfect. I also don't do hot oil so i bake the sprouts apart and roasted them (I'd recommend pre-roasting the hearts by 10-15 mins and then adding all the leaves).
One of my new faves!

Debbie F. June 5, 2020

Whoooweeee! Just made this five minutes ago, It's tangy and sweet and spicy. So simple and delish. Would never have thought to put Sriracha on sprouts but it hits the mark. Now sautéing them in garlic, oil oil, s/p will seem so sedate. Thanks for this revelation.

Debbie F. June 5, 2020

That would be 'olive oil' not 'oil oil' Lol

Chardonnay May 27, 2020

Totally divine....I swapped the honey for pomegranate molasses, and added fresh pomegranate and caramelised onions.....divine!

Christina November 22, 2018

These are so delicious!! I have used this recipe probably a dozen times now and cooked it for family and friends who all became OBSESSED. It's easy enough to modify the spicy/sweet ratio if you're feeding people who aren't fond of the Sriracha flavor.
My favorite way to cook them is with Coconut Oil for extra flavor.

Larry C. June 6, 2017

We have a place in Baltimore called the Wicked Sisters and they do the same thing! Only difference is that the sprouts are flash fried and then the sauce applied. Either way it is super good!

Amber C. November 13, 2016

This sounds amazing but who wants to be frying sprouts right before sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner?

kaye.spaude February 18, 2015

PS I didn't make a pound. I made just enough for a little appetizer for one. You don't need to measure.

kaye.spaude February 18, 2015

OMG!!! I love brussels sprouts!!!

kschurms January 7, 2015

So simple, so full of flavor, and so easy to make. Peeling a pound of brussel sprouts is surprisingly time consuming, but so worth it.

Angie November 29, 2014

These are so delicious people keep clamoring for invites to my dinner parties now that they've heard how amazing they are. One of my favorite (and now-a-staple) recipes for special dinners.

Alexandra S. November 12, 2014

This sounds SO good. Need to try immediately.

Susan W. October 3, 2014

Can't wait to try this. I don't do vegetable oil and can't bear to use my expensive avocado oil or grass fed beef tallow, so I am going to coat in oil and blast it in a really hot oven. The sauce sounds delicious.

Ariel P. September 10, 2014

This recipe is AMAZING. The brussels sprouts without the sauce are really good, but when you add the sauce its extra delicious. The sauce is the best part about it. I made brussels sprouts, green beans and salmon burgers and we actually dipped everything in the leftover sauce. I would recommend this recipe to anyone who likes sweet and spicy and doesn't know the true tastiness of brussels sprouts

Sirid February 15, 2014

This is the first recipe I've ever tried that actually has me eating brussels sprouts for dinner and nothing else. Just a big bowl of crispy, salty-spicy-sweet brussels sprouts. MMMMMMMmmmmmmmm....

bamavb2014 December 21, 2013

These were so good! I did think the sauce was a little too sweet. I would add more sriracha than the recipe calls for next time. Still amazing, though.

kzmccaff February 19, 2015

Love this idea! Thanks!!

diego November 27, 2013

Coated in Olive Oil, cooked the hearts first in the broiler until crisp and tender, put in the warming drawer, then proceeded with the leaves. Much healthier. But I'll give you thumbs up on the sauce!

Ashley M. October 21, 2013

Made these last night with some sweet pepper-encrusted cedar plank grilled salmon. They were exceptionally easy, especially considering my lack of experience with frying in oil deeper than 1/8th" (I usually just pan-fry anything). The sauce was a little hotter than we expected so instead of tossing them in it, we served it on the side for dipping - my boyfriend was in heaven with the sauce, I quite liked them just salted! Thank you so much for helping me switch up a rather mundane green!

hb September 20, 2013

Made this last night and it was a hit! I add thinly sliced carrots to the mix. Mos Def a new go to side. THANKS!

Marsha B. August 9, 2013

Where do you find siracha?

tt August 18, 2013

Chinese stores TNT or other

Crispy Fried Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Sriracha Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Why won't my Brussel Sprouts get crispy? ›

1. Roasting at a low heat. If you want your roasted Brussels sprouts to be seriously crispy, you need to crank up the heat. Roasting at a low temperature won't allow them to brown properly, so you want to get that oven nice and hot before tossing in your baking sheet.

Should I boil my Brussel Sprouts before frying? ›

Parboiling Brussels sprouts before frying is a good technique to ensure they cook evenly and become tender on the inside while allowing for a crispy exterior when fried. It's not always necessary but we think it works here to create a soft middle and crisp exterior in the pan.

Why do you soak Brussel Sprouts before cooking? ›

The soak time tenderizes the sprouts so the middles are softer. Don't worry, they won't be soggy! I would never do that to you. If, like me, you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you don't need to soak the Brussels sprouts prior to cooking.

What season is best for brussel sprouts? ›

A slow-growing, long-bearing crop, Brussels sprouts should be planted in early spring, or mid- to late summer for a crop that matures in the fall. The small heads mature best in cool and even in light frosty weather. Spring planting is also fine in cooler climates.

Do you cook Brussels sprouts face up or down? ›

Roast 'em! Our two rules: place and space! Place them cut side down to create that slightly crunchy exterior and soft interior. Space them out evenly so they don't steam–a crowded sheet pan party is not where your brussels want to be.

Is it better to roast Brussels sprouts whole or cut in half? ›

To maximize the flat areas, which get the most crispy surface area, cut your Brussels sprouts in half. If your Brussels sprouts are very small, you can leave them whole (and if they are very large, quarter them).

Do you need to cut the ends off Brussels sprouts? ›

Individual sprouts: Brussels sprouts sold by the pound are what you find most often at the market. They need to be trimmed of their dry ends and yellowed or damaged leaves before halving and cooking.

What makes brussel sprouts taste good? ›

Over the last twenty years, farmers have mellowed the "unpleasant" flavor of brussels sprouts by breeding a vegetable that contains fewer bitter compounds or glucosinolates. So, brussels sprouts just taste better than they used to when we were kids. The rub is that glucosinolates help protect sprouts against pests.

Which country eats the most Brussel Sprouts? ›

Did you know? Britons eat more Brussels sprouts than any other nation in Europe. Our sprout industry is worth £650m and the area covered by sprout fields in the UK is the equivalent of 3,240 football pitches. It's fair to say that these days, no one loves sprouts more than the British.

Why do I feel so good after eating Brussel Sprouts? ›

Brussels sprouts are a source of fiber and may reduce inflammation. This cruciferous vegetable offers nutrients, including antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.

Is it OK to eat Brussel Sprouts everyday? ›

Is it OK to eat Brussels sprouts everyday? Go for it. “If you enjoy sprouts and can tolerate them, absolutely! They're lower in calories and contain a myriad of important nutrients” says Snyder.

Why are my Brussels sprouts still hard after cooking? ›

Without oil, Brussels don't brown and soften—they dehydrate. Its also possible that they simply need more time in the oven. Cooking times vary depending on their size. A cooked Brussels sprout should be pierced easily with the tip of a sharp knife.

How do you crisp soggy brussel sprouts? ›

Roast the Brussels Sprouts at high heat

Check the brussels sprouts about halfway through and add more olive oil as needed. If you don't hear them crisping up in the oven, add a little more oil and roast them for a few more minutes until your desire crispiness is achieved!

Why are my roasted brussels sprouts mushy? ›

There is nothing worse than soggy Brussels sprouts. If they are soggy and mushy-they are probably overcooked. You want a crisp on the outside Brussel sprout, so watch that cooking time.

Why are my brussel sprouts not forming? ›

The usual cause is poor soil, lack of growth and especially the use of non-hybrid cultivars. Only hybrid cultivars can be relied on to produce firm sprouts. Excessive nitrogen fertiliser is not implicated in loose sprout formation.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carmelo Roob

Last Updated:

Views: 6374

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carmelo Roob

Birthday: 1995-01-09

Address: Apt. 915 481 Sipes Cliff, New Gonzalobury, CO 80176

Phone: +6773780339780

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Gaming, Jogging, Rugby, Video gaming, Handball, Ice skating, Web surfing

Introduction: My name is Carmelo Roob, I am a modern, handsome, delightful, comfortable, attractive, vast, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.