The New Chip on the Block: Brussels Sprout Chips
Oct 21, 2015, Updated Jul 14, 2017
We’ve been chipifying everything from the produce department since that first brave soul decided to see what roasting would do to kale leaves a decade or so ago.
The kale chip has been joined, over time, by the carrot chip, parsnip chip, zucchini chip, butternut chip, beet chip, turnip chip and anything else creative home cooks could get their hands on.
Whether in home or commercial kitchens, roasting and toasting thin vegetables to crispy perfection is a certifiable thing.
Last year for October Unprocessed, I showed you how to make baby bok choy chips. If you haven’t tried that yet, I encourage you to break free of your kale chip obsession and give bok choy a whirl.
And if you’re ready to move on to the next chip today, let’s make Brussels sprout chips.
Yeah, America’s most hated vegetable — the one people despise before they even try it — is actually GREAT when you chipify it.
Sure, this vegetable villain can be bitter or sulfurous when cooked too long, but it’s a nutritional powerhouse, which trumps its stinky reputation. Cruciferous Brussels sprouts support the body’s detox, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory systems — three systems closely associated with cancer prevention.
Pros: Nutrient-dense, high-fiber, low-calorie, gluten-free, Paleo, vegan, very low on the Glycemic Index, no saturated fat or cholesterol. And did I mention delicious?
Con: Bad word-of-mouth. You’ll have to convince the sprout haters to try them.
Let’s see if we can turn around Brussels sprouts’ image using this one chip-making technique, without using a fancy PR firm to do it.
(And if you are already a B.S. fan or want another way to useย them,ย also try this magnificent Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Parmesan and Dates, which will make your eyes roll back in your head when you taste it.)
Brussels Sprout Chips
Ingredients
- 15 Brussels sprouts
- 1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- A few grains of salt
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350ยฐF.
- With a small paring knife, cut off the bottom tip of each sprout. This will release the outermost leaves; put leaves in a large mixing bowl. Continue to trim a thin slice more off the bottom stem, teasing each layer of leaves off, and adding them to the bowl. Stop when you have removed all the leaves and you are left with the heart or core of the sprout. (Save cores to roast later if you like.)
- When you have removed all leaves you can, toss the leaves gently with the oil, sprinkle ever so lightly with salt. (Really, do NOT have a heavy hand with the salt because the salty flavor intensifies with roasting. Just sift a few grains between your thumb and forefinger.) Lay leaves in one layer on a rimmed baking sheet. The leaves, during tossing, will want to cup together, so take care to remove them from nesting together as you arrange them on the baking sheet. They need to toast in one layer for best results.
- Roast for 10-15 minutes, until leaves are lightly browned and crisp. The wide variation in time is because of the differences between home ovens. Check at 10 minutes, and remove any that you think are done, putting the rest back in for another minute or 2; check again and remove those that are done. You don't want the entire leaf to be fully toasted or it will be too bitter. You'll get the hang of it and your oven's peculiarities after the first batch.
Nutrition
What a great use for Brussels sprouts. I love this idea! A healthy snack; I’m all over it!
Debi, B.S. are the new kale. You heard it here first. ๐
Yum! I looooove brussels sprouts, especially when they’re nice and crispy!
Ashley, don’t they just transform into something quite wonderful when they get crispy?
We always fight over the Brussels sprouts leaves that fall off after roasting. I love the idea of actually making a whole batch of chips from them and are going to absolutely love these! Thanks for sharing!
Linda, me too. I think that’s why I thought, “Why don’t we just have a whole tray of the crispy leaves?”
I love making these and it really satisfies my chip craving. I just love brussels sprouts, especially roasted with balsamic.
Danii, now you have me writing “Brussels sprouts” on the shopping list so I can make the roasted kind with balsamic. You’re an enabler. ๐
These look amazing!!! I’m a big fan of Brussels sprouts when they’re roasted but I’ve never crisped them up quite like this before. Definitely one to try this winter!
I must do them ASAP. They look super healthy and must be so delicious!
Katerina, turn on that oven! Time’s a’wastin’ ๐
What a fantastic idea, but I’m firmly in the Brussels Sprouts fan camp ๐ I might have to try this for my kids and see what they think though!
Elizabeth, my son, age 13, loved them, but he’s used to my weird green chips (kale, baby bok choy, etc.), and he also likes arugula, which is fairly bitter. If you have littles, they might not be so keen, but like anything, it’s a personal taste thing. So try them and see what happens!
What a super healthy idea using Brussel sprouts for chips, I love it. A must make recipe for sure.
Thanks Heidy, hope you can make them soon!
I love these. I always eat the crispy leaves from my roasted brussels sprouts before serving, now I can have a whole plate of them. Lovely recipe.
Janette, exactly right! All for you!
I have made kale chips but not the one using brussels sprouts! What a delicious and must-try idea for me! Love it!
If you like kale chips, you will probably LOVE these!