Smashed Brussels Sprouts

Have you tried smashed Brussels sprouts? This recipe is truly special: they come out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

You’ve cooked your Brussels sprouts every which way: roasted, boiled, sauteed, and raw. But have you tried Smashed Brussels Sprouts? If you’re a Brussels lover, this recipe is a must-try. Boil them, smash them, then roast them with Parmesan cheese until they’re crispy at the edges. It’s like roasted Brussels sprouts taken up two notches, because the interior is creamy and smooth. Here’s how to make them!

Ingredients for smashed Brussels sprouts

Smashed Brussels sprouts are boiled then smashed and roasted in the oven until crispy, much like a smashed potato. It makes them extremely tender and smooth on the inside, and crispy on the outside. Parmesan cheese helps to get even more crisp exterior, and makes little roasty bits where it falls onto the baking sheet. We think it’s a must! Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

Brussels sprouts
Olive oil
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salt and pepper
Parmesan cheese: you can go without it for vegan and dairy free, but we highly recommend using it for the ideal crunchy texture

How to make smashed Brussels sprouts: a few tips!

This smashed Brussels sprouts recipe requires two major steps, so you’ll want to save it for when you have a little extra time. If desired, you can do the boiling step in advance, then roast them when you’re ready to serve (more on that below). Because we’re all about simple cooking, we tried to find a way to get around the boiling step: but it’s required so that the sprouts are smashable. Here are a few tips:

Boil until just tender enough to smash. If you boil Brussels sprouts too long, they can become bitter. You’ll want to keep an eye on these: boil until just tender enough to smash but still bright green. Test one to see if it smashes, then immediately drain them!
Pat them dry. You’ll want the sprouts to be as dry as possible before coating them with oil and seasonings. If there’s too much moisture, the sprouts can’t get crispy!
Smash ’em! We like using a skillet to smash a few at a time. Just be gentle! Using too much force can mutilate them instead of smashing them.
Roast until crispy: no need to flip! Use high heat (450 degrees) and roast until browned and crispy, about 22 to 25 minutes. You don’t even need to flip them: they’ll still get beautifully brown.

A note on the Parmesan cheese

You can make smashed Brussels sprouts without cheese for a dairy-free or vegan spin: they’ll still taste good! But the Parmesan cheese really adds to the crispy texture and savory flavor. If you’re trying to go without, we recommend sprinkling with something savory: nutritional yeast or a vegan Parmesan cheese brand of your choice (or homemade vegan Parmesan).

Also we like shredded Parmesan: the kind that is long shreds! Grated Parmesan is the kind with the powdery texture: it works here, but it doesn’t get as crispy.

Make ahead info

These smashed Brussels sprouts are so delicious, and worth every minute of the prep time. But just like smashed potatoes, they’re a little labor intensive. They’re perfect for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, but they take a bit of prep time. Here are a few notes on make ahead info and how to serve them to a crowd:

You can complete the boiling step in advance. This shaves off a bit of the prep time! Boil them, then refrigerate until you’re ready to roast.
Don’t roast them in advance! You’ll want to serve them right from the oven so they’re at peak crispiness.
Doubling the recipe? Add to the bake time. If you double the recipe for entertaining, keep in mind it will take longer in the oven to get browned and crispy since there’s more surface area and moisture with two trays.

More Brussels sprouts recipes

Love the humble sprout? Here are a few more Brussels sprouts recipes you’ll love to whip up:

Try speedy Quick Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
Opt for beautiful Brussels Sprout Salad
Try Brussels Sprouts with Maple Glaze or Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Go for deliciously Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Grab Fried Brussels Sprouts or Grilled Brussels Sprouts

Quick Sauteed Brussels Sprouts

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Fried Brussels Sprouts

This smashed Brussels sprouts recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free.