Crispy Brussels at Home
I love brussels sprouts, but I especially love brussels sprouts at a restaurant. They’re always so crispy yet tender and filled with so much flavor. I specifically love when they’re coated with a sweet, sticky glaze. The crispy brussels burst with the flavor of the sauce as you take each bite. Obviously, I had to learn how to make them at home so I could eat them whenever I want. So this is my recipe for Crispy Nuoc Cham Brussels Sprouts. It’s an easy vegetable side dish that is so addicting with the sweet and sour nuoc cham sauce.
Packing A Punch
Like I mentioned, this is a super simple side dish recipe. The two important key factors here are getting the brussels sprouts crispy and making the nuoc cham. I find the best way to make crispy brussels sprouts is by cooking them in the air-fryer. So add the brussels sprouts, olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper into a bowl. Toss everything together until evenly combined.
Preheat the air-fryer to 325℉. Add the brussels sprouts into the basket and cook for 8-10 minutes. The brussels sprouts should have softened slightly. Increase the temperature to 375℉ and add in the sliced garlic. Cook for another 4-7 minutes until the brussels sprouts are tender but crispy on the outside.
In the meantime, we’ll make the nuoc cham sauce. This is a traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce that’s filled with a medley of flavors. It’s sweet, sour, savory, and can be a little spicy depending on how many Thai chilies you add in. The sauce is light but really packs a punch. Combine the warm water and sugar in a bowl. Mix until the sugar has dissolved then add in fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, and chilies. Transfer the crispy brussels sprouts into a bowl. Add in the sesame seeds. Pour in ⅓ of the nuoc cham sauce and toss it together with the brussels sprouts. Taste and add more nuoc cham sauce as needed. Serve the remaining sauce on the side.
A New Style
I love this recipe for Crispy Nuoc Cham Brussels Sprouts because it’s such a quick and easy way to prepare a veggie side dish. In everyday life, it’s easy to lose inspiration for your meals — especially when it comes to preparing vegetables. However, this is such a fun way to switch it up and even introduce others to new flavors from a different cuisine. This would also be a fun side dish to bring to upcoming holiday potlucks because it’s something new and unique that no one else is bringing to the table. So try this recipe out, and let me know if it reminds you of the brussels sprouts you’d get at a restaurant.
Crispy Nuoc Cham Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
For the Brussels Sprouts:
- 1 -1¼ lbs Brussels Sprouts (trimmed and halved)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- ½ tsp Kosher Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
- 2 Garlic Cloves (sliced)
- ½ tbsp Toasted White Sesame Seeds
For the Nuoc Cham:
- ⅓ cup Warm Water
- 2 tbsp Granulated Sugar
- 2 tbsp Fish sauce
- Juice from 1½ Limes
- 1 small Garlic Clove or ½ Regular Size Clove (minced)
- ½ Thai Red Chili Pepper (thinly sliced)
Instructions
For the Brussels Sprouts:
- Add the brussels sprouts, olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper into a bowl. Toss until evenly combined.
- Preheat the airfryer to 325℉. Add the brussels sprouts into the basket and cook for 8-10 minutes. The brussels sprouts should have softened slightly. Increase the temperature to 375℉ and add in the sliced garlic. Cook for another 4-7 minutes until the brussels sprouts are tender but crispy on the outside.
- Transfer the brussels sprouts into a bowl. Add in the sesame seeds. Pour in ⅓ of the nuoc cham sauce and toss it together with the brussels sprouts. Taste and add more nuoc cham sauce as needed. Serve the remaining sauce on the side.
For the Nuoc Cham:
- Combine the warm water and sugar in a bowl. Mix until the sugar has dissolved then add in the remaining ingredients.
