Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (2024)

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No matter your feelings on brussels sprouts, it's impossible not to love these Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts. Served with a blue cheese yogurt dip, you won't be able to stop eating these sprouts!

(This recipe for Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts was originally posted in February 2013, but the post has been updated with new photos and content)

Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (1)

I know we're coming up on the end of brussels sprouts season, but I just couldn't resist re-making these delightful little fried brussels sprouts and sharing them with y'all. In any event, if you're in the Northeast right now, there's probably either snow on the ground or snow currently falling from the sky, so we're likely still very much in brussels sprouts mode. OK, maybe with a little bit of asparagus sprinkled in for some hope of spring, right? Please, Mother Nature, let spring come soon.

Anyway, remember when brussels sprouts were one of the most hated foods in America? I feel like we've come such a long way over the last several years with brussels sprouts becoming something of a fad. It brings me so much joy to see America going crazy for a food that's really good for us (you'll never see me dissing the kale fad!). But that doesn't mean I'm not still going to take the delectable little vessels of nutrition and dunk them in some beer and flour and a vat of hot oil for a bit. Because everybody knows that if you like brussels sprouts, you'll love fried brussels sprouts. Especially when said fried nutrition morsels (can that be a thing?) are dipped into a blue cheese yogurt dip. And if you hate brussels sprouts? Well, you need to try these because I think they will change your mind. You've probably heard that before, but this time it's really true!

In a way, it feels almost criminal to cover these little green lovelies in a thick batter and fry them. Look at how beautiful they are. But I'm still doing it anyway.

Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (2)

I've made these a couple times with different kinds of beer and I feel that you really can't go wrong. The first time, I used a super hoppy beer, which was delicious. But this time I used a wheat beer, 21st Amendment's Hell or High Watermelon to be exact and it also felt perfect, especially as we're coming into spring. Also, if you haven't tried this beer yet, you need to do so ASAP! It's my husband's all-time favorite and a really nice refreshing session-type beer since it's lower alcohol. It's supposed to be seasonal, but we buy it all winter long.

Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (3)

If you're afraid of frying, please don't be! It's actually quite easy and really, the only downside for me is that my kitchen smells like oil for a day (here are some tips for getting rid of the smell). I also admit frying has gotten easier for me since I moved into my house. The first time I made these fried brussels sprouts, I did it in my little apartment and my smoke detectors went off like 12 times. Which is bad enough when you live in a house, but extra bad when you have neighbors on the other side of the wall. Just make sure your oil temperature doesn't go above 400 degrees and you should be fine!

Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (4)

Once you get over the idea of frying being scary, these are the easiest things in the world to make. Blanch the sprouts, mix up the batter, and dip and fry the sprouts. For the blue cheese yogurt dip, just put all the ingredients in a bowl and stir.

And serve the beer batter fried brussels sprouts along with the dip and the remaining beer from your can or bottle. If you didn't finish it off while you were frying the sprouts, of course. I certainly won't blame you if you did. Especially if your smoke detectors went off more than once during the process.

Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (5)

Hello, little bites of heaven.These totally hit the spot and were the perfect little appetizer. Even though I definitely ate them as a meal. I legit just couldn't stop. I loved them on their own, but dipping them in the blue cheese yogurt brought them to whole new levels.

Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (6)

Not only does frying brussels sprouts mean you get to enjoy a delicious beer breaded coating, but it also gets rid of some of the bitterness that sprouts can be known for. Which is why I think you could even convince a lifelong brussels sprout hater to eat a few of these bad boys.

And for you brussels sprouts lovers, don't worry; those beautiful green layers are still nestled within the coating.

Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (7)

Next time I make these, I'm totally adding bacon into the batter. Or the yogurt dip. If all else fails, bacon has always been known to convert a brussels sprout hater or two.

Do you love or hate brussels sprouts? Would you try them fried?

📖 Recipe

Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (8)

Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts

No matter your feelings on brussels sprouts, it's impossible not to love these Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts. Served with a blue cheese yogurt dip, you won't be able to stop eating these sprouts!

5 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Side

Makes: 8 servings

Author: We are not Martha

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. brussels sprouts; cleaned, trimmed, and halved
  • Canola oil
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornmeal
  • ½ tsp coarse salt
  • ¼ tsp cayenne
  • 1 egg egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup cold beer

Blue Cheese Yogurt Dip

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt (I like 2%)
  • 4 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ tsp cayenne
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add halved brussels sprouts and let cook for 7 minutes. Drain sprouts and wrap them in a clean kitchen towel to dry as much as possible.

  • Pour canola oil in a deep pot so it's about 2" deep and heat to between 365-400 degrees.

  • While oil is heating, mix flour, cornmeal, salt, and cayenne in a large bowl.Stir in egg and beer.

  • When oil is hot, work in batches to dunk sprouts in batter and carefully drop in the oil. Let fry for about 4 minutes, until they're golden brown. You'll likely have to adjust burner level to keep oil temperature in the right range. When sprouts are golden, remove from oil and place in a paper towel-lined bowl. Continue until all sprouts are fried.

Blue Cheese Yogurt Dip

  • In a medium bowl, mix together all of the ingredients. Keep chilled until ready to enjoy.

Notes

Tips for getting the crispiest fried sprouts:

  • Dry sprouts as much as possible after blanching. Water remaining on sprouts may keep them from getting crispy.
  • Make sure beer is chilled. Room temperature beer may result in a less crispy coating.
  • Keep oil between 365 degrees and 400 degrees. If oil temperature drops below this, sprouts will not crisp up as they should.

Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!

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Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (13)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Meghan says

    Holy amazing. Frying scares me, but I may have to give it a try for these.

  2. Erica says

    I seriously love brussels in any form. I'm with Meghan though- I'm so scared of frying!

  3. Ashley says

    Just...wow. I would never have thought. And now it's what I'm' craving.
    It's probably not the best idea, but we preemptively disable the smoke detectors (take the batteries out) when we fry something because they really don't shut off. We put them back as soon as we're done cooking, though!

  4. Gia Grossman says

    Genius! I mean I don't see how you couldn't like these. My smoke alarms are the worst too!!

  5. Simply Life says

    wow! I never buy brussels sprouts just because they don't ever seem that appealing...but these are a whole new story!

  6. Michelle Collins says

    I <3 Brussels sprouts! Especially when they're fried, or roasted.

  7. Erica @ In and Around Town says

    Yes please! I never had them growing up, but now I am obsessed!

  8. Odetta says

    This is totally a meal in my eyes! All the food groups are there 🙂

  9. Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says

    oh man. i've started to love brussels sprouts...now i need to get my mom to like them. they are the 1 veggie she hates! these look perfect!!

  10. Megan says

    I'd eat them any way! Would love to try them beer battered like this.

  11. Susan says

    This is ingenious! I love Brussels sprouts anyway but this has turned them into an appetizer - even better 🙂

  12. Odetta says

    Monday morning and 'm already putting these on the menu for tonight. They look easier than I thought they would!

  13. brandi says

    woah. i think nick would even like these, and he's not a fan of brussels. yum!

  14. Jess @ Sweet Athena says

    I love how you have taken a healthy thing and made it a little naughty! I can't wait to try these.

  15. Nicole says

    I have always loved brussels sprouts and I just know I'd love this fried version! Sounds like a wonderful snack. The bleu cheese yogurt dip sounds great, too.

  16. dan says

    I did your brussel sprouts really great, I left the sprouts whole when I blanched for nine min. very little water inside no splashing

  17. Jazmin says

    Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (14)
    This is the BEST way I've seen to use brussels sprouts. Definitely making soon!

  18. Pam Greer says

    Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (15)
    These sound amazing! I also am going to be on the lookout for that beer!

  19. Tina says

    Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (16)
    I think people are on one side of the fence or the other. Either they love or hate brussels sprouts. For, me I love them! Saving this for later, thanks for this!

  20. abra says

    Oh man, I would love to try these! I love that watermelon beer in the summer, never thought to add it to a beer batter - genius!!!!

  21. anne says

    Even though I love brussels sprouts, I think these would even make a non-lover of brussels sprouts smile.

  22. Paige says

    Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (17)
    Oh girl, you had me at "fried"....and I love me some Brussels sprouts so this is going on my list!

  23. Madi says

    Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (18)
    This looks like the perfect way to prepare brussels sprouts! These look incredible!

  24. Leslie Haasch says

    I eat brussels sprouts all the time, but I've never thought to fry them like this!

  25. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says

    I already liked brussels sprouts but beer battered are even better! I couldn't stop eating them :-)!

  26. Carol Borchardt says

    Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (19)
    I'm a Brussels sprouts fanatic and have done many things with them including pickle them. However, beer-battering and frying them is absolutely genius! And so perfect for a Wisconsin native like me! Pinned to give this a try soon!

  27. Monica | Nourish & Fete says

    Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (20)
    I have to admit that I'm a little afraid of frying, too, especially with a toddler who is SUPER interested in everything I do in the kitchen, haha! On the plus side, though, I am pretty confident this would get said toddler eating some brussels sprouts at least, so it would be well worth the effort. And with that dipping sauce!? Holy moly that sounds amazing!

  28. Jenni LeBaron says

    Yum! These would go over well in my house, especially with a nice cold beer beside them!

  29. Amy Nash says

    Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (21)
    I love brussels sprouts so, so much! They are my favorite vegetable and have been for ages. But I also love fried foods, so I'm super down with these. YUM!

  30. Kristina says

    Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (22)
    Wow, I love sprouts and this is a completely new take on them! Very creative, my husband would love these.

  31. Amelie says

    Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (23)
    Well this is an interesting recipe! My husband is not too crazy about Brussels sprouts, but I love them. Perhaps this recipe (including beer!) will do the trick. Thanks for this amazing recipe!

  32. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

    You have certainly taken Brussels sprouts to a whole new level...with a dipping sauce no less. YUM!

Leave a Reply

Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha (2024)

FAQs

Beer Batter Fried Brussels Sprouts Recipe | We are not Martha? ›

Pour canola oil in a deep pot so it's about 2" deep and heat to between 365-400 degrees. While oil is heating, mix flour, cornmeal, salt, and cayenne in a large bowl. Stir in egg and beer. When oil is hot, work in batches to dunk sprouts in batter and carefully drop in the oil.

Why won't my brussel sprouts get crispy? ›

Roast the Brussels Sprouts at high heat

If you don't hear them crisping up in the oven, add a little more oil and roast them for a few more minutes until your desire crispiness is achieved!

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.

Should I boil my brussel sprouts before frying? ›

The trick is to simply know how to cook them properly and what flavors work with them. Your first step should always be to blanch the brussels sprouts. This is basically when they get submerged in boiling water just for a few minutes, not until they're fully cooked, but just enough to take away some of the bitterness.

Do you cook Brussels sprouts up or down? ›

Place the sprouts cut-side down: Trim and halve the sprouts and roast them with their cut side against the baking sheet. The cut side will caramelize beautifully while the outer leaves crisp.

How do you fix dry brussel sprouts? ›

Like soggy steamed Brussels, Brussels sprouts that are dry and chewy are no good either. This could be caused by using too little oil for roasting. You need a nice coating of oil—enough to make the heads shiny or if they're cut, enough oil to get inside the folds of some of the leaves.

What gives Brussels 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.

How do you fix bitter brussel sprouts? ›

A splash of lemon juice, or even apple cider vinegar, works wonders on bitter sprouts. Another key ingredient is fat, which helps Brussels sprouts to crisp up. This is why it's so popular to render bacon fat and cook Brussels sprouts in it, then add the bacon bits back in at the end.

What chemical substance gives brussel sprouts their bitter taste? ›

Whilst the compounds PTC and PROP aren't found in the vegetables, they both contain within their molecular structure a thiocyanate group (nitrogen, carbon and sulfur bonded in series) which is thought to be related to their bitter taste.

Why do you put a cross in the bottom of brussel sprouts? ›

Some people swear by cutting a cross in the bottom of each sprout, which they believe allows them to cook all through – but it's not necessary, and you'll save time if you don't.

Why put crosses on brussel sprouts? ›

In fact, the tradition of cutting a cross in the base of a sprout might have less to do with culinary technique and more to do with superstition. In Medieval times, it was believed that evil spirits and demons lived between the leaves of the vegetable, and they would enter anyone who ate them, making them ill.

When not to use brussel sprouts? ›

If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).

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.

Should brussel sprouts be blanched 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.

Why are my brussel sprouts hard after cooking? ›

Not using enough oil.

We like to use olive oil, but plain vegetable oil is great too. If the sprouts are well-coated, they'll caramelize and char instead of simply softening in the oven. Follow this tip: For every 1 pound of Brussels sprouts, you'll want to use 2 tablespoons of oil.

Why are my brussel sprouts not forming tight heads? ›

The usual cause is poor soil, lack of growth and especially the use of non-hybrid cultivars. Only hybrid cultivars can be relied on to produce firm sprouts. Excessive nitrogen fertiliser is not implicated in loose sprout formation.

Why soak Brussels 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 my brussel sprouts mushy on the inside? ›

They are one of my favorite veggies in the whole wide world! When overcooked, Brussels sprouts turn mushy and release excess sulphur (the thing that makes cabbage and Brussels sprouts smell like cabbage and Brussels sprouts)—not good eats.

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