One of my favorite side dishes for fall are Brussels sprouts. They often make my table for Thanksgiving, and other holiday meals as well! They’re vibrant, delicious, and always a hit. I love these air fryer Brussel sprouts with bacon since they’re the ideal mix of crispy, sweet, salty, and simple!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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.
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.
Katie’s tip
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!
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Ingredients List
- 1 lb Brussel sprouts
- 4 slices bacon, cut into ½” squares
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste (approx ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You may substitute frozen Brussels 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. Try hot honey instead for some sweet heat!
- The black pepper may be changed out for sriracha for a garlic chili twist
- 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
- Feel free to finish with a drizzle of extra maple syrup, balsamic glaze, lemon juice, honey, hot honey, or a sprinkling of cheese like parmesan or goat cheese to create different flavor profiles!
- Cutting calories? Swap in air fryer turkey bacon instead of the regular pork variety
How to Make Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts With Bacon
- Wash Brussel sprouts, remove any dead leaves from the exterior, and cut in half
- In a bowl, combine Brussels sprouts with olive oil, maple syrup, and bacon pieces. Season with salt and pepper to taste (I use ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper), then toss 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 15-20 minutes at 400°F, pausing after 10 minutes to stir, until sprouts are tender, and bacon is browned and crispy to your liking
- Drizzle with extra maple syrup if desired (optional), then serve. 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.
Try your air fryer Brussel sprouts alongside my easy recipes for:
- 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:
• 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 18 minutes in my Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer (without preheating). Adjust as needed for your specific air fryer, and based on the size of your Brussels and desired browning level of your bacon!
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator. They should be consumed within 2-3 days for best results
- Reheat Brussels sprouts 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
More Air Fryer Vegetable Side Dishes
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 it’s easy doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice flavor. These roast Brussels sprouts 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!
Katie’s tip
You can also try making these deliciously crispy and trendy Air Fryer Smashed Brussel Sprouts and Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts for an appetizer or healthier snacking!
Whether it’s a weeknight or a celebration, these maple bacon Brussel sprouts done in your air fryer are sure to please!
Air Fryer Maple Brussel Sprouts With Bacon
Equipment
- Paring knife (or similar)
Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts
- 4 slices bacon (cut into ½" pieces)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste (estimated ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper)
Instructions
- Wash Brussel sprouts, remove any dead leaves from the exterior, and cut in half using a paring knife (or similar)1 lb Brussels sprouts
- In a bowl, combine Brussel sprouts, olive oil, maple syrup, and bacon pieces. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir to coat everything evenly4 slices bacon, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp maple syrup, Salt and pepper to taste
- Add Brussel sprout mixture to your air fryer's basket in a single layer (depending on size of basket you may need to do this in batches)
- Cook on the air fry setting for 15-20 minutes at 400°F, pausing at 10 minutes to stir, until bacon is browned and crispy to your liking
- 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 syrup may be substituted by honey or brown sugar
- The black pepper may be changed out for sriracha if you like a sweet heat
- Feel free to finish with a drizzle of extra maple syrup, balsamic glaze, lemon juice, honey, hot honey, or a sprinkling of cheese like parmesan or goat cheese to create different flavor profiles!
- Make sure not to overcrowd your basket and cook in batches if needed
- 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
