One of my favorite side dishes for fall are Brussel sprouts. They often make the table for Thanksgiving and other holiday meals as well. They’re vibrant, delicious, and always a hit. Today we’re going to make air fryer Brussel sprouts with bacon.
Let’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.
Salt and pepper to taste (approx ½ tsp salt and ¼ 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 ½ tsp of garlic powder, and top the finished dish with 1 Tbsp parmesan cheese for air fryer Brussel sprouts with bacon and parmesan
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F, following manufacturer guidelines
Wash Brussel sprouts, remove any dead leaves from the exterior, and cut in half
In a bowl, combine Brussel sprouts with 1 Tbsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp maple syrup, and 4 slices of bacon cut into small (approximately ½”) pieces
Season with salt and pepper to taste (I use ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper)
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 on air fry setting for about 15-20 minutes at 400°F, pausing every 5 minutes to stir, until bacon is browned and crispy
Serve and enjoy!
What to Serve With Brussel Sprouts and Bacon
Pork chops
Steak
Chicken
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.
If your Brussel sprouts burned in the air fryer, it means you either:
• Did not stir often enough, so the Brussels burned due to lack of rotation, or; • 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 won’t get browned and crispy until closer to 9-10 minutes.
When combined with Brussels sprouts, there is some additional moisture to contend with. That’s why you’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 don’t want to eat.
Recipe Pro Tips
Make sure not to overcrowd your basket and cook in batches if needed. Otherwise, you’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
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 380°F in the air fryer, making sure to stir at least once, until they reach at least 145°F 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
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 it’s easy doesn’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!
Whether it’s a weeknight or a celebration, these maple bacon Brussel sprouts done in your air fryer are sure to please!
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.
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 400°F, 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 ½ 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
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
