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Air-Fryer Brussels Sprouts Salad With Spiced Maple Vinaigrette

5.0

(4)

A plate of fried brussels sprout with farro walnuts salad greens sliced red onions and crumble feta with a fork and a...
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele

It might be worth getting an air fryer just to make brussels sprouts (though we have plenty more air fryer recipes where these came from). Crunchy and deliciously bittersweet, the charred air-fryer brussels sprouts come to life in this refreshing grain salad, where they are tossed with bits of briny feta, sweet-tart cranberries, and a fennel- and nigella-seed-spiced maple syrup vinaigrette. If I'm looking for more protein, I chop up some hard-boiled eggs and fold them into the salad. Feel free to add extra feta and dried cranberries or cherries on top, if you like.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    35 minutes

  • Yield

    4 servings 

Ingredients

1 lb. brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved lengthwise
6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, plus more
½ cup coarsely chopped raw walnuts
1 tsp. crushed fennel seeds
1 tsp. nigella seeds
5 Tbsp. white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
Freshly ground pepper
½ small red onion, halved, thinly sliced
5 oz. mixed salad greens or baby kale
1½ cups cooked grains (such as farro or barley)
¾ cup crumbled feta
¼ cup sweetened dried cranberries or dried tart cherries

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat air fryer to 400°. Toss 1 lb. brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved lengthwise, 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, and ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a large bowl to coat. Transfer to air fryer; reserve bowl. Roast, giving basket a shake halfway through, until tender, 18–20 minutes. Add ½ cup coarsely chopped raw walnuts and toss to combine. Roast until brussels sprouts are deep golden brown and charred in spots and walnuts are golden brown, about 2 minutes.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, toast 1 tsp. crushed fennel seeds and 1 tsp. nigella seeds in a dry small skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, 30–45 seconds. Immediately transfer to a small bowl and add remaining 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil. Whisk in 5 Tbsp. white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar and 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup; season dressing with salt and freshly ground pepper.

    Step 3

    Transfer brussels sprouts to reserved bowl. Add ½ small red onion, halved, thinly sliced, 5 oz. mixed salad greens or baby kale, 1½ cups cooked grains (such as farro or barley), ¾ cup crumbled feta, and ¼ cup sweetened dried cranberries or dried tart cherries. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss to coat.

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