The Best Way To Cook Frozen Brussels Sprouts So They Taste Fresh

Frozen vegetables get a bad rap, but they deserve better. As a convenient way to get your daily servings of veggies in, these underrated staples offer a whole host of benefits. For instance, you can buy frozen vegetables in bulk without worrying as much about spoilage as you would with fresh produce, which saves you money and fridge space. Having them on hand also means you'll be able to make any meal healthier at a moment's notice. And, when it comes to health, research shows that frozen veggies have as many — or even more — nutrients than fresh ones. However, many people find that there's something off with the taste and texture of frozen vegetables. The issue usually comes down to how they've been cooked.

Brussels sprouts, in particular, are already unpopular, often regarded as some of the most hated vegetables to grace a dinner plate. When cooked while frozen, they tend to end up mushy and bitter, almost as if they've been boiled. After all, frozen vegetables are typically blanched and steamed before freezing, leaving them packed with moisture. This unappetizing end result is sure to make the cruciferous vegetable off-putting even to people who are fond of it. But what if this outcome could be avoided?

Before you swear off frozen Brussels sprouts altogether, there is a way to cook them so they taste fresh. If the instructions on the bag suggest a microwave, ignore them. All you need is a little faith and an air fryer.

Brussels sprouts are delicious as a side dish or in a salad, especially when roasted until golden brown and crispy. But you don't have to use fresh ones to achieve that melt-in-your-mouth texture. With the help of an air fryer, you can make frozen Brussels sprouts taste fresh.

Whether you're working with veggies that you prepped and froze yourself or a brand of store-bought frozen vegetables, the process of air frying them is straightforward. As you would with any other food, preheat the air fryer before cooking. Leave your Brussels sprouts in the freezer in the meantime so they don't thaw. This is extremely important, as it will prevent them from getting soggy. Once preheated, add the frozen Brussels sprouts to the air fryer basket and toss them with a little oil and some herbs and spices. Partway through cooking, jiggle the basket to allow even air circulation so the sprouts end up nicely browned on all sides. The final product will be similar to a traditionally roasted sprout: a crispy exterior with a tender interior.

Once cooked and crisped to your liking, there are a range of ways to improve the flavor of Brussels sprouts beyond the natural sweetness or standard seasonings of salt, pepper, and garlic. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese or a drizzle of honey-balsamic glaze can take this veggie from tasty to so appetizing you'll be rushing back for seconds.

Brussels sprouts aren't the only frozen vegetables that you can toss in your air fryer to achieve delicious, crispy results. While air fryers are popular for preparing perfectly golden french fries, this time-saving appliance can be used for lots of different veggies, especially when you're utilizing air fryer hacks to get the best results possible.

Instead of microwaving and steaming frozen broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, zucchini, and butternut squash, cook them in the air fryer. You'll be rewarded with crispier vegetables that don't taste like they just came out of the freezer. However, unlike Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower can be thawed before cooking without becoming mushy — simply make sure to pour off any excess water before adding them to the air fryer. Note that there are certain frozen vegetables that you're best off not putting in the air fryer. These include leafy greens like kale and spinach, which may become charred and inedible; and peas, which could end up drying out and shriveling up.

Before you write off frozen Brussels sprouts and other vegetables for ending up mushy and unappetizing when cooked, try air frying them. You'll be pleasantly surprised to discover you can't tell them apart from their fresh counterparts — and you might even be able to save time and money when shopping for groceries and preparing healthy side dishes.