Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts: The Ultimate Guide to Perfectly Roasted Veggies

Get ready to transform your vegetable routine with this unbelievably simple and utterly delicious recipe for Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts. If you’ve been searching for a new favorite side dish that’s both healthy and irresistible, look no further! This recipe requires minimal prep time, letting your oven do most of the magic, and delivers an explosion of flavor and texture. Who can resist the glorious crunch of perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts paired with savory, caramelized crispy Parmesan cheese?

Brussels sprouts, often misunderstood, truly shine when roasted. The high heat coaxes out their natural sweetness, mellowing any bitterness, while the edges become beautifully caramelized and slightly crisp. When you add a generous layer of Parmesan cheese to the mix, something truly magical happens. The cheese melts, then crisps up into a golden, nutty crust that adheres wonderfully to each sprout, creating a harmony of flavors and textures that will make even the most hesitant veggie-eater a fan.

These Parmesan Brussels Sprouts aren’t just a side dish; they’re a revelation. They complement a wide array of main courses, from a succulent Grilled Pork Tenderloin to a perfectly seared steak. Imagine a plate with these crispy wonders alongside creamy Whipped Potatoes and your favorite grilled protein—a truly balanced and satisfying meal ready in under an hour. This recipe is designed to be straightforward, delivering maximum flavor with minimal fuss, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.

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Essential Ingredients for Perfect Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Crafting these delectable Parmesan Brussels Sprouts requires just a few pantry staples and, of course, fresh Brussels sprouts. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect crispy texture and rich, savory flavor. Let’s delve into what you’ll need to gather:

• Fresh Brussels Sprouts: The star of our show! Look for firm, bright green sprouts without any yellowing or soft spots. Freshness is key for the best flavor and texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Opt for freshly grated or shredded Parmesan. This is absolutely critical for the success of this recipe. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that prevent them from melting and crisping properly, which is precisely what we want to achieve here.
• Olive Oil: Used to coat the Brussels sprouts, helping them crisp up beautifully in the oven and achieve that desirable golden-brown exterior.
• Unsalted Butter: The secret to a rich, buttery base for our Parmesan crust. Melting the butter on the baking sheet before adding the cheese creates a non-stick surface and infuses the cheese with incredible flavor as it crisps.
• Garlic and Herb Seasoning: My go-to salt-free blend is a kitchen secret weapon, infusing the sprouts with layers of aromatic flavor without overpowering them. Using a salt-free seasoning gives you precise control over the overall saltiness of the dish, allowing you to tailor it to your preference.
• Kosher Salt: To enhance all the flavors and balance the seasoning. I recommend Morton’s Kosher Salt for its consistent granule size.

The combination of butter and olive oil might seem unconventional, but they serve distinct purposes. The butter creates a rich, creamy foundation for the Parmesan to melt into, ensuring it crisps evenly and doesn’t stick excessively to the pan. Meanwhile, the olive oil lightly coats the Brussels sprouts themselves, promoting fantastic caramelization and crispiness as they roast. This dynamic duo guarantees a perfect outcome every time!

For precise ingredient measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, please use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of this post, or scroll down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the page.

Step-by-Step Guide to Roasting Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Creating these perfectly crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts is a straightforward process that yields fantastic results. Follow these simple steps to achieve a side dish that will impress everyone at your table. This method shares similarities with my popular Parmesan Crusted Potatoes, ensuring a reliably delicious outcome.

Prepping Your Pan for the Ultimate Cheese Crust

Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). As the oven heats, place your unsalted butter directly onto a large, rimmed baking sheet. Once the oven is hot, place the baking sheet with the butter inside for a few minutes until it’s completely melted. Carefully remove the pan and gently swirl the melted butter around to ensure the entire surface is evenly coated. Then, generously dust the bottom of the pan with your shredded Parmesan cheese, creating an even, solid layer over the butter. Avoid stirring the cheese; simply let it rest on the butter.

Preparing and Seasoning the Brussels Sprouts

While your pan is getting ready, trim the fibrous ends off your fresh Brussels sprouts. Discard any dark, damaged, or excessively loose outer leaves, as these tend to burn quickly during roasting. Then, cut each sprout in half lengthwise. Transfer the halved sprouts to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle them generously with olive oil, sprinkle with your favorite garlic and herb seasoning, and add the kosher salt. Toss everything together until the sprouts are thoroughly coated with the oil and seasonings. Make sure every sprout gets a good share of flavor!

Roasting for Crispy Perfection

Carefully arrange the seasoned Brussels sprouts onto the buttered, Parmesan-dusted baking sheet. Ensure they are placed cut-side down directly onto the cheese layer. This ensures maximum contact with the melting and crisping Parmesan, forming that coveted cheesy crust. Place the baking sheet back into your preheated oven and roast for 30-40 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want the sprouts to become beautifully crispy and dark golden brown. I personally love them with a slightly charred edge—just a touch—as it enhances their natural sweetness and nutty flavor, creating an even more irresistible bite.

Finishing Touches and Serving

Once your Brussels sprouts have reached your desired level of crispness and golden-brown perfection, remove the pan from the oven. Resist the urge to dig in immediately! Allow the pan to cool for about 5 minutes undisturbed. This crucial resting period allows the melted Parmesan cheese to set and fully crisp up, ensuring it sticks beautifully to the sprouts when you lift them. After resting, use a sturdy metal spatula to gently lift and release the sprouts from the pan. Separate any that may have stuck together, and admire the glorious crispy cheese crust on each piece.

Serve your Parmesan Brussels Sprouts immediately to enjoy them at their absolute best—hot and wonderfully crispy. Should you have any delightful leftovers (a rare occurrence!), they reheat remarkably well. Simply pop them into an air-fryer at 390˚F (200°C) for just 3 minutes, and they’ll emerge perfectly crisp once more, almost as good as fresh!

We hope you adore these Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts as much as we do! If you prepare this recipe, please share your experience by leaving a review or comment below. Your feedback truly helps others! Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to get new recipes delivered straight to your inbox, and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for daily inspiration and culinary adventures!

📖 Recipe

Yield: about 4 cups

Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
40 minutes

Total Time:
50 minutes

This incredibly easy and irresistibly tasty recipe for Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts will quickly become your new favorite way to enjoy perfectly roasted vegetables with a delicious, golden, cheesy crust!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Brussels Sprouts, halved
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 teaspoon Garlic and Herb Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt, Morton’s
• 4 tablespoon Unsalted Butter, melted
• ¾ cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425˚F.

Trim the ends off and cut the Brussels sprouts in half, lengthwise.

Toss the sprouts in a large bowl with olive oil, herb seasoning, and salt until the potatoes are completely coated.

Drop the butter onto a large-rimmed baking sheet and set it in the oven until completely melted. Carefully give it a slow turn from side to side till it coats the entire pan.

Dust the parmesan cheese all across the melted butter, do not stir it around, just give a nice solid layer across the pan.

Place the seasoned sprouts, flat side down on the parmesan cheese, and place the baking sheet in the preheated oven.

Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the cheese has melted and gotten crispy and is sticking to the sprouts.

Remove the pan from the oven when the cheese has reached your desired crispness and has browned. Let it rest for 5 minutes undisturbed.

Lift and release the sprouts from the pan using a metal spatula and separate them into individual bites.

Serve immediately.

Notes

Expert Notes & Tips for Success

To ensure your Parmesan Brussels Sprouts turn out perfectly every time, keep these helpful tips in mind:

• Trim Carefully: When preparing your sprouts, always remove any dark, yellowed, or overly loose outer leaves. These tend to burn much faster than the rest of the sprout, potentially imparting a bitter flavor to your otherwise delicious dish.
• Maximize Flavor and Crispness with Fresh Parmesan: This recipe’s success heavily relies on the Parmesan cheese crisping up beautifully. For this reason, it is paramount to use fresh grated or shredded Parmesan. Pre-shredded varieties often contain anti-caking agents (like cellulose) that prevent them from melting and forming that desirable golden, crispy crust. A block of Parmesan and a grater are your best friends here!
• Smart Pan Prep for Less Cleanup: Save yourself an extra dish to wash! Instead of melting butter in a separate pot, simply place the measured butter directly onto your baking sheet. Pop it into the oven while it preheats or while you’re trimming the sprouts. Once melted, carefully swirl the pan to coat the entire surface evenly before dusting with Parmesan. This ensures a beautifully buttered, non-stick base for your cheese.
• Reheating Leftovers: While these sprouts are best enjoyed fresh and hot, leftovers are surprisingly good when reheated correctly. The absolute best method is using an air-fryer. At 390˚F (200°C) for just about 3 minutes, they will crisp up wonderfully, often tasting nearly as good as when they first came out of the oven.

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

While this recipe is fantastic as written, feel free to adapt it to your preferences or what you have on hand:

• Seasoning Swaps: If you don’t have garlic and herb seasoning or prefer a simpler flavor profile, you can absolutely substitute it. A mix of garlic powder, onion powder, and dried Italian herbs will work well. If you need to replace both the garlic and herb seasoning and the kosher salt, garlic salt can be a convenient substitute. Just be mindful of the sodium content and adjust accordingly, as the overall flavor will be slightly different.
• Butter Alternatives: The butter contributes to a rich, buttery flavor and helps the cheese crisp without sticking. However, if you need a dairy-free option or simply prefer it, you can swap the butter for an equal amount of additional olive oil. Keep in mind this might alter the flavor profile slightly, making it less rich, but it will still yield crispy results.
• Spice it Up: For those who love a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes tossed with the sprouts before roasting will add a delightful kick.
• Different Cheeses: While Parmesan is classic, consider experimenting with other hard, grating cheeses like Pecorino Romano for a sharper, saltier flavor.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Stainless-Steel Mixing Bowl Set
• Shun Cutlery Classic Paring Knife, small, black silver
• John Boos MPL1812125G Chop-N-Slice Select Maple Edge Grain Cutting Board, 18 Inches x 12 Inches x 1.25 Inches
• Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet (3 Pack)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 154Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 357mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 6g

This is an estimated caloric value, actual numbers may differ based on the ingredients used.

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