Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Nov 15, 2024, Updated Mar 15, 2025
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This Parmesan Brussels Sprouts recipe turns simple Brussels sprouts into a golden, cheesy delight packed with savory garlic, a dash of smoked paprika, and a bright hint of lemon zest that will have everyone reaching for seconds!
You’ll also love my Bacon Balsamic Brussles Sprouts and Longhorn Steakhouse Brussles Sprouts.
Why you’ll love this recipe…
This easy side dish takes crispy Brussels sprouts from simple to spectacular, making it the perfect side dish for holidays, dinner parties, or a special weeknight treat.
- Ultimate Crispiness: Roasting the Brussels sprouts at a high temperature creates that perfect caramelized crunch on the outside while keeping them tender inside—no soggy sprouts here!
- Double Cheese Delight: Parmesan is added twice—first for a delicious coating, then for a bubbly, golden brown top layer. This double layer of cheese takes the flavor and texture to a whole new level.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Even Brussels sprout skeptics are bound to love this version. The cheesy, crispy, and slightly spicy flavor profile makes this a side dish that everyone will rave about.
Serve with Thanksgiving turkey or a simple weeknight baked chicken thighs.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
With just a handful of simple ingredients, this dish comes together effortlessly, making it perfect for any occasion.
- Brussels Sprouts: Fresh, vibrant green, and halved for maximum caramelization and crispy texture.
- Melted butter: Adds rich, buttery flavor and helps create a golden, crispy exterior.
- Olive Oil: Balances the butter and adds depth while helping the Brussels sprouts roast perfectly.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: for a hint of savory, aromatic flavor. We love fresh garlic but when testing it cooked too quickly.
- Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan Cheese): Freshly grated for a nutty, savory layer that melts beautifully over the sprouts.
- Salt: Enhances all the natural flavors, giving a perfect seasoning touch.
- Black Pepper: Adds a subtle kick and balances the dish with a hint of warmth.
- Smoked Paprika or Red Pepper Flakes: Gives a smoky or mildly spicy element for a little extra flavor.
- Lemon Zest (optional): A refreshing, bright finish that enhances the flavors with a touch of citrus zest.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
This will be your new favorite way to serve Brussels Sprouts, and the best part is that it is easy to make. See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for more instrcutions.
Toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil and butter.
Add some of the parmesan cheese and spices to the bowl.
Mix to combine.
Place the seasoned Brussels sprouts on a sheet pan or baking dish in a single layer- cut the side of the sprouts facing down.
Bake until golden.
Add the rest of the parmesan cheese and bake again just to get a crispy top layer.
Keep a close eye on them in the hot oven during the second bake!
These Brussels sprouts are flavorful, cheese, and delicious!
Transfer the roasted Brussels sprouts to a serving platter and enjoy!
This recipe is as easy as our baked brie recipe.
FAQs
If your Brussels sprouts aren’t getting crispy, it could be due to excess moisture—make sure they’re completely dry before seasoning. Also, avoid overcrowding on the baking sheet, as this can cause steaming instead of roasting. A high oven temperature (around 400°F) is essential for that golden, crispy finish.
No, boiling isn’t necessary before frying Brussels sprouts. In fact, frying them directly (or roasting) keeps them crispy and flavorful. Boiling can make them mushy, so if you prefer a firmer texture, skip this step and go straight to frying or roasting.
Absolutely! Add halved baby potatoes, carrots, or cauliflower, but be sure to cut them similarly for even roasting.
Substitutions and Variations
- Cheese: Swap Parmesan with Pecorino Romano for a sharper, saltier flavor.
- Butter/Oil: Use all olive oil for a lighter taste, or replace it with ghee for a richer, nutty flavor.
- Spice: Substitute smoked paprika with regular paprika and chili powder, or add a dash of cayenne for extra heat.
- Herbs: Add fresh rosemary or thyme for an earthy twist.
- Zest: Try orange zest instead of lemon for a sweeter citrus hint.
How to Store and Reheat Crispy Brussels Sprouts
- Store: Place cooled Brussels sprouts in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: To bring back the crispiness, reheat in a 400°F (200°C) oven for 5-8 minutes or until hot, or use an air fryer for a few minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy.
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips
- Choose Fresh Brussels Sprouts: Look for firm, vibrant green sprouts without any yellowing or wilting for the best flavor and texture.
- Dry Thoroughly: After washing, ensure the sprouts are completely dry to help them roast evenly and get that perfect crispiness.
- Cut Side Down: Place the Brussels sprouts cut side down on the baking sheet to achieve caramelized edges and a golden crust.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Spread the sprouts in a single layer with space between each to allow proper air circulation, which helps them crisp up instead of steaming.
- Add Parmesan Toward the End: Sprinkle the final layer of Parmesan in the last few minutes of roasting for a perfectly melted, golden cheese crust.
- Finish with Lemon Zest: For an extra burst of flavor, sprinkle lemon zest right before serving to brighten up the dish.
More Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with parmesan crusted brussels sprouts:
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Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 3 tablespoons Parmigiano Reggiano, Parmesan, finely grated
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, more to taste
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or dried red pepper flakes, for a bit of heat
- 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated (for topping)
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest, optional
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Brussels Sprouts: In a large bowl, toss trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts with melted butter, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, 3 tablespoons of grated parmigiano, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika or red pepper flakes. Stir well to coat each sprout evenly.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the Brussels sprouts cut side down on the baking sheet. This helps them get that beautiful caramelized edge.
- Roast: Place in the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes or until the sprouts are crispy on the outside and tender inside.
- Add Cheese Topping: Remove the Brussels sprouts from the oven and sprinkle the extra 1 cup of grated Parmesan and optional lemon zest over them. Place them back in the oven for an additional 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted, creating a thin, crispy, cheesy layer.
- Serve: Enjoy these crispy, cheesy Brussels sprouts as a delcious side dish.
Notes
- Choose Fresh Brussels Sprouts: Look for firm, vibrant green sprouts without any yellowing or wilting for the best flavor and texture.
- Dry Thoroughly: After washing, ensure the sprouts are completely dry to help them roast evenly and get that perfect crispiness.
- Cut Side Down: Place the Brussels sprouts cut side down on the baking sheet to achieve caramelized edges and a golden crust.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Spread the sprouts in a single layer with space between each to allow proper air circulation, which helps them crisp up instead of steaming.
- Add Parmesan Toward the End: Sprinkle the final layer of Parmesan in the last few minutes of roasting for a perfectly melted, golden cheese crust.
- Finish with Lemon Zest: For an extra burst of flavor, sprinkle lemon zest right before serving to brighten up the dish.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So delicious! the olive oil & butter made them brown nicely and the parm was all browned and crispy, all gone by the of dinner 😋
Yes, we never have leftovers! Happy everyone loved them.