Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Maple Syrup

One of my favorite side dishes for fall are Brussel sprouts. They often make the table for Thanksgiving and other holiday meals as well. Theyโ€™re vibrant, delicious, and always a hit. Today weโ€™re going to make air fryer Brussel sprouts with bacon.

how to make brussel sprouts in the air fryer with bacon and maple syrup dinners done quick

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

Letโ€™s face it, everything is better with bacon! However, the air fryer preparation method leaves you perfectly crispy bacon and sprouts, with little to no effort on your part. Sounds like the perfect combination to me.

If you love Brussels, make sure to check out another easy (and tasty) preparation with these honey and balsamic Brussel sprouts cooked in the microwave.

closeup of air fryer brussel sprouts with bacon on a plate

Forgot to take the bacon out of the freezer? No worries, my guide on How to Defrost Bacon in the Microwave will get you back on track!

Ingredients List

maple syrup and bacon brussel sprouts 3 ingredients needed
  • 1 lb Brussel sprouts
  • 4 Slices bacon, cut into ยฝโ€ squares
  • 1 Tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp Maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper to taste (approx ยฝ tsp salt and ยผ tsp pepper)

Ingredient Tips and Substitutions

  • You may substitute frozen Brussel sprouts if desired. Cook them about 5 minutes on their own to defrost before adding in the rest of the ingredients
  • Maple syrup may be substituted by honey or brown sugar
  • The black pepper may be changed out for sriracha if you like a sweet heat
  • For a savory variation, omit the maple syrup, add a ยฝ tsp of garlic powder, and top the finished dish with 1 Tbsp parmesan cheese for air fryer Brussel sprouts with bacon and parmesan
  • Cutting calories? Swap in air fryer turkey bacon instead of the regular pork variety

How to Make Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts With Bacon

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400ยฐF, following manufacturer guidelines
  2. Wash Brussel sprouts, remove any dead leaves from the exterior, and cut in half
cut brussel sprouts in half and remove excess leaves
  1. In a bowl, combine Brussel sprouts with 1 Tbsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp maple syrup, and 4 slices of bacon cut into small (approximately ยฝโ€) pieces
in a bowl combine brussel sprouts with olive oil, maple syrup, and bacon
  1. Season with salt and pepper to taste (I use ยฝ tsp salt and ยผ tsp pepper)
season brussel sprouts mixture with salt and pepper
  1. Stir to coat everything evenly
stir brussel sprouts and seasoning in a bowl
  1. Add Brussel sprout mixture to preheated air fryer basket in a single layer (depending on size of basket you may need to do this in batches)
add bacon and brussel sprouts to air fryer basket
  1. Cook on air fry setting for about 15-20 minutes at 400ยฐF, pausing every 5 minutes to stir, until bacon is browned and crispy
  2. Serve and enjoy!
air fried brussel sprouts with bacon and maple syrup

What to Serve With Brussel Sprouts and Bacon

  • Pork chops
  • Steak
  • Chickenย 
  • Salmon
  • Roast beef
  • Meatloaf
  • Ham
  • Turkey
  • Short ribs
  • Potatoes
  • Gnocchi
  • Polenta
  • Corn fritters
  • Quiche

There are many great dishes to serve with Brussel sprouts and bacon! I particularly like to use recipes that also have ham, bacon, prosciutto, or something similar to really tie it all together.

Try your air fryer Brussel sprouts alongside my easy recipe for Air Fryer Ham Steaks, Air Fryer Quiche With Crust, crispy Air Fryer Parmesan Polenta Cakes, or quick Microwave Gnocchi.

Recipe FAQs

Why Did My Brussel Sprouts Burn in the Air Fryer?

If your Brussel sprouts burned in the air fryer, it means you either:

โ€ข Did not stir often enough, so the Brussels burned due to lack of rotation, or;
โ€ข You overpacked your air fryer basket, leading to poor air circulation and pooling of heat in certain locations

Make sure to cook in batches if need be and always stir and check regularly for best results.

How Long Will it Take My Bacon to Get Crispy in the Air Fryer?

Generally, bacon is cooked in around 5-6 minutes in the air fryer, but wonโ€™t get browned and crispy until closer to 9-10 minutes.

When combined with Brussels sprouts, there is some additional moisture to contend with. Thatโ€™s why youโ€™ll need at least 15 minutes to get the bacon crisp in this scenario.

Should I Soak Brussels Before Air Frying?

There is no need to soak Brussels before air frying.

Just wash the sprouts thoroughly and make sure to trim the ends.

Do You Rinse Off Brussel Sprouts Before Cooking?

Yes, you should rinse off Brussel sprouts before cooking. It is common for dirt from the ground they are grown in to work itself in between the outer leaves.

A good rinse and trimming the ends of the stem off should get rid of the extra dirt and anything else you donโ€™t want to eat.

Recipe Pro Tips

  • Make sure not to overcrowd your basket and cook in batches if needed. Otherwise, youโ€™ll get uneven browning on both the Brussels and the bacon
  • This recipe as pictured took about 17 minutes in my Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer. Different sizes and power levels of air fryer may vary slightly
sweet and savory maple and bacon brussel sprouts in the air fryer

Storage and Reheating

  • Store leftover Brussels with bacon in an airtight container in your refrigerator. They should be consumed within 2-3 days for best results
  • Reheat the Brussels for 5-6 at 380ยฐF in the air fryer, making sure to stir at least once, until they reach at least 145ยฐF to reach the food safety recommendation for pork products
  • Note that you can also reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on high, but the bacon will lose its crisp texture to do so

More Tasty Air Fryer Vegetable Side Dishes to Try

Final Thoughts

Making air fryer Brussel sprouts with bacon is a simple way to get a side dish on the table any time. Of course, just because itโ€™s easy doesnโ€™t mean you need to sacrifice flavor. These roasted Brussels are delicious.

Pair with a starch or carb based side and your protein of choice for the perfect meal! I also love to put them on the table after serving easy Air Fryer Frozen Bacon Wrapped Scallops as an appetizer because they coordinate so well!

You can also try making these deliciously crispy and trendy Air Fryer Smashed Brussel Sprouts for an appetizer or healthier snacking!

Whether itโ€™s a weeknight or a celebration, these maple bacon Brussel sprouts done in your air fryer are sure to please!

how to make brussel sprouts in the air fryer with bacon and maple syrup dinners done quick featured image

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Maple Syrup

Air fryer Brussel sprouts are browned and delicious, accented by crisp bacon and sweet maple syrup for the perfect side dish.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 179 kcal

Ingredients
ย ย 

  • 1 lb Brussel sprouts
  • 4 slices Bacon (cut into ยฝ" pieces)
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper to taste (estimated ยฝ tsp salt and ยผ tsp pepper)

Instructions
ย 

  • Preheat your air fryer to 400ยฐF, following manufacturer guidelines
  • Wash Brussel sprouts, remove any dead leaves from the exterior, and cut in half using a paring knife and cutting board
    1 lb Brussel sprouts
  • In a bowl, combine Brussel sprouts, olive oil, maple syrup, and bacon pieces
    4 slices Bacon, 1 tbsp Olive oil, 2 tbsp Maple syrup
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste
    Salt and pepper to taste
  • Stir to coat everything evenly
  • Add Brussel sprout mixture to preheated air fryer basket in a single layer (depending on size of basket you may need to do this in batches)
  • Cook maple bacon Brussel sprouts on air fry setting for about 15-20 minutes at 400ยฐF, pausing every 5 minutes to stir, until bacon is browned and crispy
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • You may substitute frozen Brussel sprouts if desired. Cook them about 5 minutes on their own to defrost before adding in the rest of the ingredients
  • Maple may be substituted by honey or brown sugar
  • The black pepper may be changed out for sriracha if you like a sweet heat
  • For a savory variation, omit the maple syrup, add a ยฝ tsp of garlic powder, and top the finished dish with 1 Tbsp parmesan cheese for air fryer Brussel sprouts with bacon and parmesan
  • Make sure not to overcrowd your basket and cook in batches if needed
  • This maple bacon Brussel sprout recipe as pictured took about 17 minutes in my Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer. Different sizes and power levels of air fryer may vary slightly
  • Exact nutritional values will vary depending on specific ingredients used and total amount consumed, so please consider this as only a guideline or estimate

Nutrition

Serving: 78gCalories: 179kcalCarbohydrates: 11.2gProtein: 8.6gFat: 11.6gSaturated Fat: 3.2gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 742mgPotassium: 299mgFiber: 1.7gSugar: 6.9gCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg
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how to make brussel sprouts in the air fryer with bacon and maple syrup dinners done quick pinterest
Katie Vine