Start by cleaning the Brussels sprouts under cold running water. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.

Trim off each Brussels sprout's stems, then slice them in half vertically.

Place the halved Brussels sprouts in a mixing bowl. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over the Brussels sprouts.

Sprinkle salt and black pepper evenly over the Brussels sprouts. If desired, mince the garlic cloves and add them to the bowl. Toss everything together until the Brussels sprouts are evenly coated with the seasonings.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes. Once preheated, carefully transfer the seasoned Brussels sprouts to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking.

Air fry the Brussels sprouts for 5 minutes. While the Brussels sprouts are cooking, prepare the smoked paprika mixture. Combine 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl with 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika. Stir until well mixed.

After 5 minutes of cooking, carefully open the air fryer and brush the Brussels sprouts with the olive oil and smoked paprika mixture. Ensure each sprout is coated evenly.

Close the air fryer and continue cooking for the remaining 5 minutes or until the Brussels sprouts are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Once cooked to your desired level of crispiness, carefully remove the Brussels sprouts from the air fryer basket and transfer them to a serving dish.

Serve hot as a delicious side dish or snack. Optionally, you can sprinkle additional salt or smoked paprika for extra flavor.