Not a fan of Brussels sprouts? Air Fryer Maple-Bacon Brussels Sprouts will convert you. This healthy vegetable is made extra tender and crispy in the air fryer, tossed with maple syrup and crumbled bacon.
Air Fryer Maple-Bacon Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Howdy! Chef Alli Here. Let’s Get You Cookin’…. Shall We?? 🙂
Remember those boiled Brussels sprouts that were served in the school cafeteria back in the day? Yuck.
Rest assured, these air fryer Brussels sprouts are nothing like that! Once you experience ROASTED Brussels sprouts (or any roasted veggie for that matter) there’s no going back.
Roasting vegetables at a high temperature helps them release their natural sugars so that they caramelize as they cook – YUM.
Add to that some bacon and maple syrup and you’ve got something fantastic. Who knew air fryer Brussels sprouts could be a favorite side dish???
What to love about this recipe –
- Air fryer Brussels sprouts will turn you into a veggie eatin’ fool…no lie.
- They cook in just minutes.
- Tender on the inside, crispy and charred on the outside.
Ingredients you need to make this recipe
- Fresh Brussels sprouts
- Olive oil
- Pure maple syrup
- Red wine vinegar
- Bacon
- Red pepper flakes, optional
How to make air fryer maple-bacon Brussels sprouts
To prepare the Brussels sprouts, peel away any outer leaves that are yellowed, browned, or damaged. Using a sharp paring or utility knife, trim the stem end of each Brussels sprout, then slice in half lengthwise.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, maple syrup, vinegar, salt, pepper, and red paper flakes until nicely combined; add the Brussels sprouts and bacon to the bowl and toss well to coat evenly. (If you forget to add the bacon during this step like I did, add it to the Brussels sprouts once you spread them out on the air fryer pan.)
Line the air fryer basket with foil; spread the prepared Brussels sprouts and bacon out in a single layer.
Roast the Brussel’s sprouts at 350 degrees F. for 10-12 minutes, depending on how crispy you prefer them, tossing halfway through the cooking time. *If the Brussels sprouts aren’t fork-tender at the end of 12 minutes, air fry them a few minutes longer.
Common Questions Asked About This Recipe –
Which tools do I need to make air fryer brussels sprouts?
Air Fryer – We have the Cuisinart TOA-60 air fryer and it’s the bomb! This is a rack-style air fryer, not a basket-style. We prefer the basket-style since you can spread food out in a single layer, helping it cook more quickly and get more crispy.
Kitchen shears – Use a pair of kitchen shears for chopping bacon for this recipe – it works slick as a whistle. (I prefer the pull-apart kitchen shears for easy washing.)
Paring knife – This type of utility knife is handy for trimming stems and cutting Brussels sprouts in half.
Rimmed baking sheets – Using a baking sheet with a 1-inch rim keeps the Brussels sprouts (or any vegetables you are roasting) right in place. Heavy-duty baking sheets also help cook evenly and create goo caramelization.
How do I choose Brussels sprouts at the grocery store?
Choose Brussels sprouts that are bright green with leaves that are tightly packed. Smaller Brussels sprouts are usually sweeter than larger ones.
How do I prep Brussels sprouts before cooking them?
Rinse the Brussels sprouts in cold water, then pull off any leaves that are loose or yellowed. Trim the end of the stem if it looks fibrous, but leave the stem in tact to hold the spout together; cut the sprouts in half lengthwise so they can cook more quickly.
If I don’t have an air fryer, can I make Brussels sprouts in the oven?
Yep! Roast the sprouts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet in a 425 degree F. oven for 25-30 minutes, depending on how tender and crispy you like them. Toss the Brussels sprouts halfway through the baking time.
What is roasting?
Roasting is a dry heat method of cooking. Hot air from the oven completely surrounds the food, cooking it evenly and quickly on all sides. Roasting gives food (such as vegetables and meat) deep, caramelized flavors that often taste a bit sweet.
What happens when vegetables are roasted?
When veggies are roasted at a high temperature their natural sugars are released allowing them to caramelize. This adds wonderful flavor!
What is the difference between pancake syrup and pure maple syrup?
Pure maple syrup is just that – pure syrup from maple tree sap that’s been boiled down to a nice thick consistency. Pancake syrup, however, is made from corn syrup and artificial maple extract.
Comparatively, pure maple syrup is much more expensive than pancake syrup, but the flavor is much better and stronger, so a little goes a long way.
More favorite air fryer recipes to enjoy –
- Air Fryer Mahi Mahi with Mango Salsa
- Air Fryer Brats with Peppers and Onions
- Air Fryer Marinated Steak Bites
- Air Fryer Honey Glazed Salmon
- Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli Parmesan
Printable Air Fryer Maple-Bacon Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Air Fryer Maple-Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Brussels sprouts trimmed halved
- 2 Tbs. olive oil
- 2 Tbs. pure maple syrup
- 1 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/8 tsp. pepper flakes
- 4 slices bacon chopped
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, maple syrup, vinegar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes until fully combined.
- Add Brussels sprouts and bacon to bowl and toss well to coat evenly; transfer to the air fryer tray that has been lined with foil.
- Roast the Brussels sprouts at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, depending on how crispy you prefer them, tossing halfway through the cooking time.
- For Oven
- Transfer sprouts and bacon to preheated 425° F oven. Cook for 30-40 minutes – depending on how crispy you like them. Give them a good stir after about 15 minutes
Notes
Nutrition
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Let’s Get You Cookin’,
Chef Alli
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