These Crispy Brussels Sprouts are flavored with Indian spices, parmesan cheese and roasted in an oven until golden and crispy. This vegetarian fusion appetizer can either be enjoyed with a mint chutney, Aji Verde or as a side dish with meat.
People normally hesitate to taste appetizers that are huge and bulky as they want something bite size like Baba Ganoush Stuffed Mushrooms. These Indian Brussels Sprouts are small in size but big in flavor, making them a great snack to munch on anytime.
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A little bit about Brussels Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts are a cultivar of the wild cabbage plant, which grew in the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. The name was taken from the capital city of Brussels in Belgium, when it gained traction around the region in the 16th century.
It later became a staple in European cuisines and was introduced to other countries worldwide. Today, we enjoy this common vegetable in many cuisines which are featured in a variety of fusion dishes.
Spice meets Cheese: Indian Brussels Sprouts recipe
The Italian inspired Indian version of Brussels Sprouts has a crispy exterior with spicy cheesy flavor, retaining the tenderness within.
Indian spiced snacks are usually deep-fried and served hot with condiments like a chutney or sauce. The finger food sprouts have similar resemblance to an Indian snack with a fusion twist of Parmesan to it.
These Parmesan crusted Brussels Sprouts can either be made in an air fryer or oven. The outcome for both recipes are similar but have different cooking time and slightly different technique. You will find both variations within this post and although the airfryer Brussels Sprouts recipe is less messy, the oven-baked turns out better.
Ingredients
- Brussels Sprouts: use fresh Brussels Sprouts and trim off any damaged outer leaves.
- Paprika: adjust the amount of paprika based on your heat tolerance.
- Garlic and Onion powder: the perfect combination that balances out the spice level and imparts a savory flavor.
- Turmeric powder: it is the key spice in many Asian and Indian cuisines which adds a mild flavor to the dish with its vibrant yellow-orange color.
- Cumin powder: adds a warm earthy flavor which is also commonly used in Indian cooking.
- Butter: doesn’t matter if you use salted or unsalted butter as it won’t make much of a difference.
- Parmesan: add extra parmesan if you like it a bit cheesy.
- Salt: you can add seasoning to the Brussels Sprouts before or after baking.
- Mint chutney (optional): this add-on pairs well with the spices coated over the Brussels Sprouts.
See recipe card for quantities.
Walk through the Recipe
We start off by preheating the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Thoroughly rinse the Brussels Sprouts to get rid of any dirt or debris. Remove any outer damaged or loose leaves.
Trim off the extra stem and the Brussels Sprouts into halves and place it in a mixing bowl.
We combine melted butter along with all the spices in a small bowl to form a buttery mixture.
Pour the butter mixture over Brussels Sprouts. Mix and toss well until the Brussels Sprouts are evenly coated with the spices and butter.
Next, we spread the Brussels Sprouts in a single layer over a baking dish with the flat side facing down.
We now sprinkle salt and parmesan cheese evenly over the Brussels Sprouts before baking.
Bake the Brussels Sprouts in a preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes until golden and the edges turn crispy.
Once done, remove from the oven and serve hot. Sprinkle over chopped cilantro for garnish or pair these crispy Indian spiced Brussels Sprouts with a mint chutney dip.
Substitutions
You can replace some of the ingredients in the recipe to suit what you have at home.
- Butter: Ghee or olive oil
- Parmesan: Any cheese
- Paprika: Red chili powder for extra spice
Tips
- Soak the Brussels Sprouts: Soaking helps loosen any dirt or debris from the Brussels Sprouts.
- Trim the Brussels Sprouts: Trim and discard any yellow or damaged outer leaves after soaking.
- Coat the Brussels Sprouts evenly: Use a large bowl to toss and mix the Brussels Sprouts to coat the butter and spices mixture evenly.
- Adjust the spice level: You can add extra chili powder based on your spice tolerance as the heat level in the recipe is low to medium.
- Monitor the baking process: Monitor the baking process around the 15 and 20 minute mark to prevent any burnt layer. There are sometimes a few straggler leaves that may separate and burn on the outer layer.
FAQs
Fresh Brussels Sprouts are recommended for the best texture but you can use frozen ones if the fresh ones are not available. Ensure to thaw and dry them well before baking as they may turn soggy.
Yes, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and spread the Brussels Sprouts evenly before air frying for 15 to 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Toss and mix it half way through to ensure even cooking.
Although Indian Brussels Sprouts are best served hot, you can prepare the spice and butter mixture ahead of time and store it. Roast the sprouts just before serving for optimal crispiness and best texture.
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
- Prawns Koliwada (Mumbai-style spicy fried shrimps)
- Jerk Chicken Quesadilla
- Sumac Fries
- Spicy Stir Fry Squid (Chinese style)
Fusion Recipes
Try out some of our specialty recipes:
- Jerk Shrimp Pasta (Rasta Pasta Recipe)
- Easy Crab Rangoon Egg Rolls
- Burnt Garlic Fried Rice
- Cevapi Sliders with Ajvar
Recipe
Crispy Brussels Sprouts recipe (Indian style)
Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussels Sprouts
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
- 3 tablespoon butter, melted
- 4 tablespoon parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt to taste
- Serve with mint chutney(optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Rinse and dry the Brussels Sprouts. Trim off the extra stem, cut them in half and place it in a mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric and cumin powder. Pour the mixture over Brussels Sprouts and mix well until evenly coated with the spices.
- Spread the Brussels Sprouts in a single layer over a baking dish with the flat side facing down. Sprinkle over salt and parmesan cheese, and bake for 20 to 30 minutes until golden and the edges turn crispy.
- Once done, remove from the oven and serve with a mint chutney dip or sprinkle over some chopped cilantro.
Samantha
Soooo delicious and easy to make!
Love adding some form of greens into my meals.