If you think you’re not a fan of brussel sprouts I encourage you to try these crispy gems! This is my new favorite way to eat brussel sprouts, but I must warn you, they’re very addictive!
They’re made similar to the popular smashed potatoes but on the healthier side. They’re crispy and caramelized on the outside and tender on the inside, and because of their size they’re the perfect one bite wonder!
Let’s face it the holiday season is upon us, brussel sprouts are hanging out all over in the produce sections of stores. It’s definitely a popular vegetable that seems to make an appearance on holiday tables served in many different ways.
Likewise if you do a Google search of smashed brussel sprouts you’ll see all the different ways you can change them up by adding different spices and cheese’s and even dipping sauces. I like the pairing of parmesan and lemon and those are the flavors I feature in mine.
First you have to prep your brussel sprouts by rinsing and cutting off the hard tip, boiling them and then submerging them into an ice bath to cool down.
I found that depending on the size of your sprouts which very greatly, that’s going to determine how long for you to boil them, it could be anywhere from 10-15 minutes. The best way is to test one by smashing it, they should flatten easy but not be overcooked, mushy or falling apart, sort of al dente.
After the ice bath which cools them down and helps retain their color, drain in a stainer.
Even with straining they always seem to retain some water, so a great tip is to smash them inside a tea towel covering the top of the sprout with a portion of the towel as you press down, ( I used the palm of my hand ) the sprouts will release their retained water right into the tea towel and they’ll become super dry and perfect for crisping up in the oven, the drier the better.
Then place your smashed sprouts on a parchment lined baking sheet, I drizzled mine with garlic infused olive oil which added so much flavor and I think is a key ingredient as well as grated parmesan and a light sprinkling of shredded mozzarella for added crunch when melted but the mozzarella is optional.
Now they’re ready to be put into a hot oven for roasting.
Half way through the roasting process you flip them over so the other side can crisp up as well.
Then stick them on a platter, scatter lemon zest all over and have a bowl of lemon aioli for dipping and watch them disappear!
Make these smashed brussel sprouts for your friends and family now and throughout the holiday season.
- brussel sprouts, tip trimmed, rinsed and ready to go
- grated parmesan cheese
- lemon zest
- garlic infused olive oil
- FOR THE AIOLI
- real mayonaise
- lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, grated
- salt and pepper
- lemon zest for garnish
- Place prepped brussel sprouts in salted boiling water and boil for 10- to 15 minutes according to their size and thickness. You want to be able to smash them easily without being overcooked or mushy, so test one out for doneness.
- When finished boiling scoop them out and place them directly into an ice bath to cool down and retain nice green color.
- Drain them in a strainer when cooled down.
- Preheat oven to 425F
- Line a baking sheet with parchment and drizzle with olive oil ( preferably garlic infused)
- One by one take a cooked brussel sprout and stick it inside a tea towel covering the top also with the towel then with the palm of your hand flatten it, you will see moisture come out onto the towel when you remove it, and that's a good thing.
- Place them onto the baking sheet and one by one sprinkle grated parmesan on each along with a light sprinkling of mozzarella which is optional and not needed.
- Drizzle the tops of each one with garlic infused olive oil.
- Roast for around 20 minutes or so until charred to your liking, turning them on the other side adding more cheese and crisping to your liking.
- Place on a platter, scatter lemon zest all over and serve them at room temperature.
- FOR THE AIOLI
- Scoop full fat real mayo in a bowl, add lemon juice to thin it out along with the grated garlic clove and salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with lemon zest and serve on the side for dipping.
I would really like to have this dish sitting on my christmas table. I will need the amounts and measurements for all the ingredients listed in the recipes in order to make this
These are absolutely delicious. Gave them a test drive last night and they can be made ahead of time – right up until the roasting. The aioli was fantastic. Going on the Thanksgiving menu!
So glad you like them Jane!
This looks so yummy Maria. My favorite vegetable. Can’t wait to make this
Thanks Cuz!
Great idea. I wish I were as imaginative as you, and could extrapolate this from something like smashed potatoes.
But I do have a question: after smashing the sprouts, why not just toss them in a bowl of grated parm instead of doing the fussy individual sprinkle? Seems like it might enable you to skip flipping them over in the oven, too.
You could do that sure, just be careful when tossing. I like to sprinkle them individually to ensure that there will be enough crunch on top.
I made them a week ago and they were fabulous. Maybe my best-received Brussels sprouts ever, not a bite left over.
I did, however, indulge my laziness: I hate flipping over little individual items, so I just tossed them all in a bowl of grated parm, lined them up on the sheet pan, and just as I’d hoped, the bottoms browned perfectly without any flipping!
Thanks for such a great recipe, Marie.
Sounds perfect and I’m so glad you liked them! Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh my goodness these look fantastic! I’ve never thought of doing this, but I’m always happy just steaming them. I might be able to work this dish into my Thanksgiving menu!
Hope you try this different take on them Mimi!
These look awesome! Can’t wait to try them 🙂