Short Answer:

Yes, Brussels sprouts should be cut before air frying. Halving or quartering them ensures even cooking and exposes more surface area for crispiness. Whole sprouts may cook unevenly, leaving the inside undercooked while the outer leaves over-brown.

Cutting also allows seasonings and a light coating of oil to coat the sprouts evenly. This results in golden, crispy edges while keeping the interior tender and flavorful. Proper cutting improves texture, flavor, and overall air fryer performance.

Detailed Explanation:

Cutting Brussels Sprouts Before Air Frying

Brussels sprouts are dense vegetables, and cooking them whole in an air fryer can lead to uneven results. The outer leaves may become overcooked or burned while the center remains undercooked. Cutting the sprouts in half—or quarters if they are large—ensures that each piece cooks uniformly. This is essential for achieving a crisp exterior and tender interior.

Advantages of Cutting Sprouts
Halved sprouts provide more surface area for oil and seasonings, which enhances flavor and crispiness. Lightly coating each piece with oil ensures the edges caramelize during air frying, giving them a golden-brown texture. Seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or herbs stick better to cut sprouts than whole ones, resulting in more flavorful vegetables.

Cooking Efficiency
Cutting Brussels sprouts also reduces cooking time. Smaller, uniform pieces cook faster than whole sprouts and respond better to hot air circulation. Proper air flow around each piece is necessary for even browning. Overcrowding should still be avoided; cutting the sprouts allows them to be spread in a single layer, maximizing crispiness.

Texture and Flavor
When Brussels sprouts are cut, the exposed edges brown and caramelize, creating a crisp exterior while the interior remains soft and tender. This contrast of textures makes air-fried sprouts more enjoyable. Whole sprouts often fail to achieve the same level of crispiness, especially on the inside, leading to uneven texture and less appealing results.

Conclusion

Cutting Brussels sprouts before air frying is important for even cooking, enhanced crispiness, and better flavor absorption. Halving or quartering them ensures golden, caramelized edges while keeping the interior tender. It also allows seasonings and oil to coat the sprouts evenly and reduces cooking time. Proper cutting is a simple but essential step to achieve perfectly cooked, delicious air-fried Brussels sprouts every time.