Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for roasting brussels sprouts from frozen, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Frozen Brussels Sprouts – Although I use fresh brussels sprouts when making smashed brussels sprouts, crispy air fryer brussels sprouts, and fried brussels sprouts with bacon, frozen sprouts are ideal for quick, flavorful roasting on busy nights. I tested this recipe using the kind from the freezer aisle at the grocery store, but it would probably work with fresh ones you freeze yourself. Avocado Oil – The high smoke point and mild flavor make it perfect for roasting. Olive oil or melted ghee both work as substitutions. Sea Salt & Black Pepper – I keep it simple here, but see variations below for other ways to season.
How To Roast Frozen Brussels Sprouts
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Recipe Variations
I wrote this as a simple tutorial to teach you my method, but you can easily customize it with different seasonings and add-ins. Here are my favorite upgrades: Baking frozen brussels sprouts is pretty straightforward, but here are my tips I discovered when testing this recipe:
Do not thaw the sprouts. This will just make them mushy and watery. Instead, roast them from frozen. Avoid parchment paper if you can. You can line your pan with foil or leave it bare, but parchment paper tends to inhibit browning. Use an extra-large rimmed baking sheet. You want the sheet to be bigger than you think you’ll need. That’s because you should… Make sure all the sprout halves touch the pan. Giving them plenty of room like this ensures that they brown instead of steaming. This is important with roasting all kinds of veggies, but even more so if they were previously frozen. Cut them in half once you can. Frozen brussels sprouts will be too hard to cut open right away, but do so as soon as they’ve softened enough to slice. Unlike some frozen veggies that don’t need additional slicing to cook (like air fried frozen broccoli florets), brussels sprouts benefit from the extra surface area when you slice them. Roast at high temperature. This is important to help get rid of any excess moisture that is common with frozen vegetables. 400 degrees F is ideal. Broil at the end. It’s a must for that browning and the best flavor! I found that unlike fresh sprouts, frozen ones don’t brown from roasting alone without broiling.
Herbs & spices – 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder is the spice I add most often! You can also add 2-3 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, or a blend of cumin and coriander for an earthy, warm flavor. You can add these in the beginning, but it works better after the initial baking step. Bacon – Toss chopped bacon with the frozen sprouts and let it cook together with them. (This is similar to making fresh brussels sprouts with bacon.) Or if you have leftover oven-baked bacon or air-fried bacon, you can just crumble it over the sprouts at the end. Sweet glaze – Coat with honey or maple syrup before the second baking step. They get nice and caramelized! (This works with sugar-free honey or maple syrup, too.) Balsamic – Drizzle a bit of balsamic glaze on your sprouts for a tangy flavor boost. It’s a simple way to make them extra special. You can also add 1-2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar before the second baking step. Or try my roasted balsamic sprouts. Crunchy topping – Add chopped almonds or walnuts in the last few minutes of roasting for a crunchy, nutty texture. You could also mix in dried cranberries and pecans, ideal for holiday meals. Cheese – Sprinkle them with either shredded or finely grated Parmesan cheese, either in the last few minutes or fresh out of the oven.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep roasted frozen brussels sprouts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. They’ll be softer later, but still flavorful. I don’t recommend freezing a second time. Reheat: Warm leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes, or until hot.
Serving Suggestions
If you’re like me and haven’t prepped a side, you probably haven’t prepped a main course either. ? So, here are some last-minute easy dinner recipes to serve up with your sprouts: Frozen roasted Brussels sprouts can add rich flavor to salads. Try tossing them with mixed greens, nuts, and a tangy vinaigrette for a refreshing and nutritious meal, or use them to make a cooked version of my kale brussels sprouts salad.
Chicken – Head to the freezer and whip up some frozen chicken wings in the air fryer or make some crispy chicken thighs in the Instant Pot. Fish – Fish recipes are always quick to thaw and fast to cook! On busy weeknights, I tend to make pan fried cod, buttery pan seared salmon, or zesty pan seared tilapia in lemon butter sauce. If all you have is frozen fish, try my air fryer frozen salmon that you can make without thawing. Pork – Air fried pork chops are ready in just 12 minutes, but pork steak is a close second. Steak – For the fastest options, make the juiciest sirloin steak in the air fryer or some sirloin steak tips. For a fancier meal, filet mignon is my absolute favorite cut.
More Easy Brussels Sprouts Recipes
If you love crispy brussels sprouts, here are more of the best ways to make them: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Ebook Bundle!
