Crispy & Crunchy Parmesan Smashed Brussels Sprouts

Smashed Brussels sprouts have always caught my eye. I mean, why they look so perfectly crispy? But really, I’m always on the lookout for delicious side dish recipes.

If you had told me 20 years ago that Brussels sprouts would be a favorite of mine… I would have given you a weird look and and said “no way Jose.” But yet, here we are.

Roasted Brussels. I love their crispy outside and soft centers. They’re the perfect green veg to serve alongside basically anything because of their ability to be delicious with minimal seasoning, or dressed up with all the fix-ins.

If you’re looking for more delicious side dish recipes to make this season, try my oven-baked Brussels sprouts with bacon, slow cooker carrots, and healthier green bean casserole!

I also have tons of veggie-packed (yet super indulgent and delicious) side dishes in my cookbook Cauliflower Power! Check it out and where you can grab a copy on my cookbook page.

Ingredients for smashed Brussels sprouts:

• fresh Brussels sprouts
• avocado oil (spray or drizzle)
• salt and pepper
• garlic powder
• grated Parmesan

How to Trim & Cut Brussels Sprouts

For this recipe we are only cutting the stump off the bottom. You want to leave it in tact for the most part, but give it a trim to remove the woody stem.

How to make crispy smashed Brussels sprouts:

Boil the Brussels. The first step in this recipe is to trim off the ends of the Brussels and boil them in water.

Smash the Brussels. Drain the boiled Brussels and arrange them on a lined baking sheet. Use the bottom of a mason jar or glass and press down to smash the Brussels.

Season. Spray the smashed Brussels with avocado oil spray, then sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, pepper and grated Parmesan.

Bake and enjoy!

Can I prep these smashed Brussels ahead?

Yes! There are two ways you can prep these smashed Brussels ahead, depending how much prep work you want to do. First, you can keep them raw and trim off the ends to prep them so they’re ready for boiling and then smashing. Keep the trimmed Brussels in an airtight container or bag in the fridge.

If you want to prep these a little more, you can trim the Brussels, boil them, and dry them. Once they’re cool and dry, you can place them in an airtight container or bag and store them in the fridge so you can later smash and roast them.

How to Store Leftovers

Keep your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for about 5 days. When you’re ready to reheat, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and reheat in the oven until they are warmed through. You can also use a toaster oven, but a microwave won’y achieve the same crispy edges.

Recipe Variations:

Balsamic Drizzle. One of my favorite things to drizzle on vegetables is balsamic reduction. It’s sweet and tangy and gives tons of flavor to your veggies that you don’t really have to work for! Just buy a bottle of balsamic reduction and you’re set!

Dip them in ranch. Another great way to eat these is to dip them in ranch dressing! Serve them with a little bowl for easy dipping!

Switch up the cheese. I used grated Parmesan because it really sticks to the outside of the Brussels and gives it a good coating. You can also use shredded cheese if you prefer and switch up what kind of cheese you use! Try cheddar, pepper jack, gouda or swiss!