Beer-battered Brussels Sprouts Recipe | yupitsvegan.com (2024)

By Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan 18 Comments

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As I mentioned in my post about teriyaki (vegan) meatballs, more than anything else, the Super Bowl is an excuse for my to bring my vegan finger foods A-game. I’m sure that a lot of you are the same way 🙂 Most things are delicious when deep-fried, but there’s something extra fun about these beer-batteredBrussels sprouts. They’re crispy on the outside, and the inside is tender without being mushy. Paired with a homemade maple-mustard sauce, these disappeared really quickly.

Beer-battered Brussels Sprouts Recipe | yupitsvegan.com (1)

Beer-battered Brussels sprouts served up with a smoky, sweet and salty maple-mustard sauce!

As far as the nutrition facts for this recipe, uh, I’ll just briefly point out that at least these will give you a serving of vegetables for the day – leafy greens at that! No guilt here, the Hawks are in the big game and that’s reason to celebrate!

Beer-battered Brussels Sprouts Recipe | yupitsvegan.com (2)

Idon’t make fried foods at home very often(I believe my previousfried recipe on the blog was the Chipotle-style tofu sofritas in July 2014, and that was pan-fried, not deep fried). So I don’t own a dedicated fryer or anything like that. I simply take my largest skillet and fill it with a couple of inches of oil, and use a thermometer to control the oil temperature. Making sure that the oil is very hot, and that you don’t crowd the pan (thus reducing the oil temperature upon adding the ingredients to it), is essential if you want to minimize the amount of oil that you actually end up eating.

Mymost-fried food is probably gobi manchurian, a spicy Indochinese fried cauliflower dish… but I’m really pleased with the fried Brussels sprouts results and think I’llcontinue having these from time to time.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy the beer-battered Brussels sprouts paired with any sauce you like, but in particular I recommend the maple-mustard sauce recipe I included, or a creamy sauce, like a vegan chipotle mayo. You want something with some body and not too aggressive of a flavor. As far as what beer is best in this batter, most beer works, but I suggestlager. I would avoid anything withmore pronouncedbitter undertones (such as coffee stout…) since the Brussels sprouts already add a bitter note.

Beer-battered Brussels Sprouts Recipe | yupitsvegan.com (3)

Beer-battered Brussels Sprouts Recipe | yupitsvegan.com (4)

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5 from 2 votes

Crispy vegan beer-battered Brussels sprouts served with a sweet and salty maple-mustard sauce.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, nut-free, soy-free, vegan, vegetarian

Keyword beer-battered brussels spouts

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 8 side servings

Calories 139kcal

Author Yup, it's Vegan

Ingredients

For the beer-battered Brussels sprouts:

  • 1 lb Brussels sprouts (450g) stemmed and halved, with the outer layer of leaves removed
  • vegan beer batter (below)
  • neutral oil for frying (I suggest peanut oil or organic canola oil)
  • dipping sauce for serving (suggestion below)

For the beer batter:

  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup white rice flour or cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 12 oz beer (1 bottle)

For the maple-mustard sauce:

  • 2 and 1/2 tbsp prepared mustard (I use spicy brown mustard)
  • 2 and 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce (or use soy sauce, optional)

Instructions

To prepare the maple-mustard sauce:

  • Whisk together all of the ingredients in a bowl, and adjust seasonings to taste.

To blanch the Brussels sprouts:

  • Prepare a bowl of ice water, and bring a pot of water to a boil.

  • Once the water is boiling, add the Brussels sprouts. Leave them in the water until they turn bright green. This took about 5 minutes for me but can vary depending on the size of your Brussels sprouts. Make sure not to overcook them.

  • Remove the sprouts from the pot and transfer them immediately into the ice water to stop the cooking process.

  • Set the sprouts in a colander to drain, or gently pat them dry with paper towels. You want them to be as dry as possible before you batter them.

For beer-battering and frying the Brussels sprouts:

  • Add about 2 inches of oil in a large, heavy pan on the stovetop, and heat the oil until over medium heat until hot - about 365 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Mix together the flours, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Pour in the beer and stir just until combined. Do not over-mix. If the batter seems too thin to coat the Brussels sprouts, add a little more flour as needed.

  • Add the Brussels sprouts to the batter (I do this in a few batches) and coat them. Then transfer them to the hot oil, making sure to leave plenty of space between them and not crowd the pan (otherwise, they'll come out greasy and not crispy).

  • Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. Use tongs or a heat-safe slotted spoon to transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels. (Optional) sprinkle the beer-battered Brussels sprouts with coarse salt immediately after they come out of the fryer.

  • Enjoy immediately.

Notes

I haven't tried it, but gluten-free all-purpose flour would probably work. Same goes for gluten-free beer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1eighth recipe | Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 164mg | Potassium: 321mg | Fiber: 3g | Vitamin A: 4000IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Fried Brussels sprouts technique adapted from We are Not Martha. This post contains an affiliate link; see my advertisem*nt policy for details.

Beer-battered Brussels Sprouts Recipe | yupitsvegan.com (5)

Love this recipe for beer-battered Brussels sprouts but looking for something healthy? Check out my recipe for bakedBrussels sprout tater tots! Or roast them and stick ’em on a Brussels sprout banh mi with mango sauce.

Beer-battered Brussels Sprouts Recipe | yupitsvegan.com (2024)

FAQs

Should I boil my brussel sprouts before frying? ›

It's not always necessary but we think it works here to create a soft middle and crisp exterior in the pan. When you boil them, the water should be well salted which allows seasons the sprouts from the inside out for best flavour all the way through.

Why won't my brussel sprouts get crispy? ›

1. Roasting at a low heat. If you want your roasted Brussels sprouts to be seriously crispy, you need to crank up the heat. Roasting at a low temperature won't allow them to brown properly, so you want to get that oven nice and hot before tossing in your baking sheet.

Why do you soak brussel sprouts before cooking? ›

The soak time tenderizes the sprouts so the middles are softer. Don't worry, they won't be soggy! I would never do that to you. If, like me, you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you don't need to soak the Brussels sprouts prior to cooking.

Why are restaurant brussel sprouts better than homemade? ›

The combination of techniques, searing then roasting, is what gives restaurant Brussel Sprouts the upper hand on the until-now pathetic homemade variety. Eureka! Avoid using a glass baking dish with very high sides, as this will trap moisture inside the pan, causing the sprouts to steam rather than roast.

Should you let beer batter rest? ›

Only Use a Cold Beer

Some beer batter recipes will say to add ice or place the beer batter in the fridge to 'rest' for 30 minutes.

What causes bitterness in Brussels sprouts? ›

The bitter taste of Brussels sprouts comes from compounds called glucosinolates and their degradation products, he explains. These bitter tasting compounds are an important part of the plant's defence mechanism against leaf-eating enemies, such as insects, nematodes, slugs, and herbivores, like pigeons and deer.

Are Brussels sprouts better steamed or boiled? ›

Steaming Brussels sprouts preserves more of the nutrients and antioxidants than any other cooking method. And they turn out tasting like crisp-tender, sweet little nuggets. Plus they're just about the quickest veggie side dish you can cook.

Do you cook brussel sprouts face up or down? ›

Place them face down and resist the urge to move them around. A searing hot baking sheet with the brussels cut side down is the key to crispy brussel perfection.

Is it better to roast Brussels sprouts whole or halved? ›

While you can make roasted Brussels sprouts whole or halved, I recommend trimming and halving them for this easy recipe. To trim: Using a knife, trim off the bottom of the tough stem end of each Brussels sprout. Then, remove any yellow or damaged leaves, and cut each Brussels sprout in half lengthwise.

What season is best for brussel sprouts? ›

A slow-growing, long-bearing crop, Brussels sprouts should be planted in early spring, or mid- to late summer for a crop that matures in the fall. The small heads mature best in cool and even in light frosty weather. Spring planting is also fine in cooler climates.

Should you cut Brussels sprouts in half before cooking? ›

If the sprouts are small, leave them whole before cooking. If they seem to be rather large or have a thick core, halve or quarter them into uniform pieces. If some are small and some are larger, leave the small ones just trimmed, and then cut the larger ones in half. Some leaves will fall off.

Do you wash or cut brussel sprouts first? ›

Rinse under cold running water to remove any dust or dirt. Use a small knife to remove the sprout tip, and then remove any leaves that have bad spots. Raw: Slice thinly and toss with other shredded vegetables like cabbage, carrots, or beets.

What is the white coating on brussel sprouts? ›

This fast growing fungus affects Brassicas, cucumbers, melons, peas and more. It may appear at any time of the season, but is most often a problem in humid areas, especially in cool (below 75 degrees F) wet weather (the spores need water to germinate and grow).

Should you blanch brussel sprouts before frying? ›

In order to get the crispiest possible Brussel sprouts, you should blanch them quickly and then let them dry before frying them. As you know, oil and water do not mix. If you flash fry a wet Brussel sprout, you will have the oil spitting at you like crazy.

What gives brussel sprouts a better taste? ›

In the late 1990s scientists identified specific chemicals, called glucosinolates, that made Brussels sprouts taste bitter. Plant breeders started growing old seeds, previously discarded for producing paltry harvests, to identify tastier versions with lower levels of these compounds.

Which is healthier broccoli or brussel sprouts? ›

While broccoli may have a higher count of calories, fat, and carbs, it is richer in calcium, iron, and pantothenic acid (a B vitamin that does wonders for healthy hair), and has a bit more potassium. Brussels sprouts, on the other hand, are lower in sodium.

Why do my Brussels sprouts taste weird? ›

If brussels sprouts taste bitter to you, you may have a gene that senses bitter compounds in brassicas. It is similar to the gene that makes cilantro taste like soap to the people who have it, and like a yummy herb to people who don't.

Why put an egg in beer batter? ›

Egg: An egg creates a more delicate crust and helps seal in moisture. Seasonings: Season the beer batter with garlic powder, black pepper, and seasoning salt. Beer: Of course, you'll need beer! A light beer will give you a milder flavor, while a dark beer will have a richer taste.

Why is my beer batter not crispy? ›

Also, the alcohol cooks out in the hot oil. Whatever you use, it needs to be ice cold – cool for 2+ hours in the fridge. It's key for a crispy batter!

Why do so many people not like Brussels sprouts? ›

This receptor is coded by a gene named TAS2R38, or the PTC gene. Even though PTC is not normally found in our food, it is very similar to chemicals found in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, kale and Brussel sprouts. The PTC gene comes in 2 common forms – bitter-tasting or non-tasting.

What does Brussel sprouts do for your body? ›

Eating Brussels sprouts along with other good sources of fiber — like other vegetables, fruits, and whole grains — can help you meet your fiber needs. Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, which can promote regularity, support digestive health, and reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Can you eat Brussels sprouts raw? ›

It's hard to beat the caramelized crispness of roasted Brussels sprouts (perhaps with a maple-Dijon glaze), but these little green guys can also be eaten raw. They're delicious when shaved in a salad dressed with olive oil and lemon juice, to start.

Should sprouts be boiled? ›

Boiling them renders them easier to digest, making the nutrient-rich sprouts more tolerable for sensitive digestive systems. Additionally, the boiling process significantly reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses associated with raw sprouts, ensuring safer consumption.

How long do you boil sprouts for? ›

To boil, put into a pan with some salt, cover with boiling water, bring back to the boil and cook, covered, for 5-10 mins. They take 5-10 mins to steam. A sharp knife should easily go through the base then they are done, but with a little resistance. They should still feel firm to the touch.

What does it mean to parboil brussel sprouts? ›

Why parboil the Brussels sprouts first? The first step is to parboil the Brussels sprouts in lightly salted water until they are just tender. Parboiling helps soften the Brussels sprouts enough to smash them. It's important to not overcook them during this step because they will continue to roast in the oven.

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