Red Lobster Copycat Brussel Sprouts Air Fryer

Crispy Soy-Glazed Brussel Sprouts That’ll Make You a Veggie Lover

Okay, let me ask you this… have you ever had a veggie side dish that made you do a happy dance? Like, seriously. I know brussel sprouts have a bad rap, but trust me on this one. These Red Lobster copycat brussel sprouts are *the* secret weapon to making your veggie game strong.

Alrighty, let’s chat about the goods—ingredients!

Okay, Let’s Talk Ingredients

You’re gonna need:
– 2 cups brussel sprouts (halved—make sure they’re fresh and not sad-looking, okay?)
– 1/2 cup soy sauce (I use low sodium, but you do you!)
– 1/2 cup water (you know, to balance things out)
– 1 tsp sesame oil (oh, the flavor!)
– 1/2 cup brown sugar (YES, it’s sweet and sticky and we love it!)
– 1 tbsp ginger & garlic paste (or just minced stuff if you wanna go rogue)
– 1/4 cup French fried onions (because CRUNCH!)

So, picture this: I’m at the grocery store, totally in my element, grabbing these ingredients, and it hits me. Why don’t I make these all the time? They’re like the life of the party—mixing sweet, savory, and crunchy!

So Here’s Why I Make This Constantly

Okay, so real talk: I make these sprouts at least once a week. No joke. It started when I accidentally ordered them for dinner at Red Lobster (who knew, right?) and I couldn’t stop thinking about that glaze. Like, it haunted my dreams. So, I took matters into my own hands and got to work. The first batch I made? Disaster. I burnt them to a crisp. But hey, I’ve learned from my mistakes, and now it’s basically my go-to side dish for everything. Family dinners, casual Netflix nights, even when I have friends over. They’re my veggie MVPs!

The One Trick That Changes Everything

Okay, okay, here’s the secret sauce (literally!)—the glaze. Like, don’t just throw the ingredients in and hope for the best. NO! You gotta simmer that soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil until it’s thick and luscious. Seriously, you want it to coat the back of a spoon. (Trust me, if it’s too runny, you’re gonna end up with soggy sprouts, and that’s just tragic.)

Don’t Mess This Up (My Top Tips)

1. Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: For real, you wanna give those sprouts some room to breathe. If they’re all squished together, they won’t crisp up.

2. Check ’em Early: Bake for 10-12 minutes? Nah, start checking at 8 minutes. You don’t wanna turn them to charcoal, trust me on this one.

3. Add the Fried Onions Last: Like, sprinkle them on top just before serving to keep that crunch. Nobody wants soggy onions!

How to Keep Them From Disappearing (Or, How to Store Them)

Okay, so if, and that’s a big if, you have any leftover sprouts (doubtful), pop them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll last a couple of days, but honestly, they taste best fresh. Just reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to get that crispiness back.

If You Liked This, You’ll Probably Like These Too

If you’re vibing with these, you’ve gotta check out my garlic butter shrimp or that creamy mushroom risotto. Seriously, they’re like besties!

So, what do you think? Are you ready to give brussel sprouts a second chance? Let’s talk about it! What’s your go-to veggie dish? I wanna know! 🥦✨