Smashed Brussels Sprouts

Versatile and oh so crispy, Brussels sprouts are easily one of our favorite roasted vegetables to serve with practically any weeknight meal or holiday dinner. While we love our classic roasted Brussels sprouts, we thought we'd take things up a notch in this recipe by adding two things: smashing, and plenty of cheese. Just like our favorite smashed potatoes, smashing these Brussels sprouts turns them deliciously crispy and golden in the oven—plus, plenty of cheese always helps. 

How do you smash Brussels sprouts?

Just like you do your potatoes! Use the end of a small glass or mason jar to press down on your sprouts to smash them into a flat patty before roasting. But, before that, it's important to boil them first—blanch your Brussels sprouts before smashing and baking to ensure they get perfectly tender and crispy in the oven. 

How do you crisp Brussels sprouts?

We cook our sprouts hot and fast. Roasting your Brussels sprouts on a high heat will get them as crispy as possibly, but we've also got other hacks for the crispiest sprouts ever. After boiling your sprouts, make sure to pat them really dry (even after you smashed them) so that they crisp up nicely in the oven. The added cheese on top also never hurts for adding an extra crispy factor to these roasted bites. 

Do I have to add the cheese?

Nope! We always love a sprinkle of cheese for added texture and flavor, but they're not necessary in this recipe. If you're vegan, feel free to leave off the cheese and add even more herbs and spices to customize as you please. 

Looking for more sprout sides? Try our air fryer Brussels sprouts for the fastest route to crispy veg! 

Made these sprouts? Let us know how it went in the comments below!