This maple bacon Brussels sprouts recipe is a game-changer for any meal. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, savory, and crispy goodness. Whether you're making it for a holiday feast or a simple weeknight dinner, this easy side dish is bound to steal the spotlight.
Why I Love This Recipe
I know this sounds crazy, but my favorite thing about these maple bacon Brussels sprouts are the crispy, caramelized leaves that fall off the sprouts when they cook! The air fryer really takes them up a notch, it makes them all little pieces of crunchy goodness. I have to admit, I sometimes stir the sprouts around way more than necessary just so I get more of these crispy bits.
Why This Recipe Works
- Sweet & Savory Balance – The maple syrup adds caramelization and sweetness, while the bacon brings salty crunchiness, complementing the natural bitterness of Brussels sprouts.
- Easy Preparation – With just a handful of ingredients, this dish is simple enough for beginners yet flavorful enough for any occasion.
- Versatile Cooking Methods – You can roast these in the oven for deep caramelization or air fry them for maximum crispiness in less time.
- Apple Cider Vinegar Boost – A little acidity from the vinegar brightens the dish and enhances all the flavors.
- Thick-Cut vs. Regular Bacon – Using thick-cut bacon in the air fryer prevents burning, while regular-cut bacon crisps up beautifully in the oven.
- Crispy Leaf Magic – The loose leaves from trimmed Brussels sprouts turn into crunchy bites packed with flavor.
Reader Reviews
- "The bacon comes out crisp and candied, and the sprouts were perfectly tender. Restaurant quality - for real!" – Nicole
- "Best part for me - it was so simple!" – Kim
- "Amazing. My wife isn’t a Brussels sprouts fan, yet she ate a pound of these in one sitting. Love 'em!" – Brett
More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes
Ingredients for Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
- 2 lbs. Brussels sprouts – The star of the dish! Trimmed and halved for even cooking.
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup – Adds natural sweetness and enhances caramelization.
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil (¼ cup for air fryer) – Helps crisp the Brussels sprouts while preventing burning.
- 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar – Adds a touch of acidity to balance flavors.
- 1 ½ tsp. sea salt – Brings out the natural flavors of the sprouts and bacon.
- ½ tsp. black pepper – Adds subtle spice and warmth.
- 8 slices bacon (thick-cut for air fryer, regular-cut for oven) – Provides a smoky, salty crunch.
How to Make Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
1. Prep the Brussels Sprouts
- Soak & Clean – Fill a bowl with cold water and let the Brussels sprouts soak for a few minutes. Swirl them around to remove dirt, then pat dry.
- Trim & Halve – Remove any tough or discolored outer leaves. Trim the stems as desired (trimming higher creates more crispy leaves!). Cut each sprout in half lengthwise.
2. Slice the Bacon
- Stack two or three slices of bacon at a time.
- Use a sharp knife to cut crosswise into ½-inch pieces.
3. Coat the Sprouts
- In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Add the Brussels sprouts and bacon pieces, tossing well to coat everything evenly.
4. Cook (Choose Your Method)
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
- Spread the Brussels sprouts and bacon evenly in the basket.
- Cook for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even crispiness.
- Remove when the sprouts are golden brown and crispy.
Oven Method:
- Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Spread Brussels sprouts and bacon on a lined baking sheet, cut side down.
- Roast for 30-40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and caramelized.
Tips For Making Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
- Choose fresh Brussels sprouts - Look for firm, compact sprouts with leaves that are a bright green color. Remove any leaves that appear wilted or have discolored spots.
- Properly trim and halve the sprouts - Take off any damaged leaves on the outside and trim the ends of the stems. Cut the sprouts in half lengthwise so they cook evenly.
- Toss well for an even coating - When you add the glaze to the sprouts and bacon, make sure to toss them well so that every piece is evenly covered. This keeps the taste the same all the way through.
- Adjust cooking time for desired crispiness - The cooking time can be changed based on how crisp you like your Brussels sprouts. Keep an eye on the sprouts and bacon while they're cooking, and change the time as needed to get the crispness you want.
FAQs
Can I use frozen Brussels sprouts?
Fresh is best, but if using frozen, make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry to avoid sogginess.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just omit the bacon, and the maple-glazed sprouts will still be deliciously sweet and crispy.
Can I use turkey bacon?
Yes, but since turkey bacon has less fat, it won’t crisp up the same way. Keep an eye on it while cooking.
How long do leftovers last?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results.
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📖 Recipe
Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts (Oven or Air Fryer)
With a sweet and tangy maple syrup glaze and the salty flavor of bacon, these crispy maple bacon Brussels sprouts are sure to be a hit.
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Servings: 6
Calories: 269kcal
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Brussels sprouts trimmed, halved
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil ¼ cup for air fryer
- 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ tsp. sea salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 8 bacon slices thick-cut for air fryer, regular-cut for oven, cut into ½-inch pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F or air fryer to 400°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, sea salt, and black pepper. Whisk together until all the ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts and the cut bacon slices to the bowl with the glaze. Toss well to ensure that every piece is evenly coated with the mixture.
For Oven
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Transfer the coated Brussels sprouts and bacon to a baking sheet or roasting pan, making sure the cut side of each sprout is down.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and cook for 30-40 minutes or until the sprouts are crispy to your liking. (Note: The more you cook Brussels sprouts, the more their natural bitterness comes out, so you may want to avoid overcooking them.)
For Air Fryer
- Transfer the coated Brussels sprouts and bacon to the air fryer basket in one batch.
- Set the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and cook for 8-12 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness. After 5 or 6 minutes, toss the contents of the basket at least once during cooking to ensure even browning.
Video
Notes
Tips
-
- Choose fresh Brussels sprouts - Look for firm, compact sprouts with leaves that are a bright green color. Remove any leaves that appear wilted or have discolored spots.
- Properly trim and halve the sprouts - Take off any damaged leaves on the outside and trim the ends of the stems. Cut the sprouts in half lengthwise so they cook evenly.
- Toss well for an even coating - When you add the glaze to the sprouts and bacon, make sure to toss them well so that every piece is evenly covered. This keeps the taste the same all the way through.
- Adjust cooking time for desired crispiness - The cooking time can be changed based on how crisp you like your Brussels sprouts. Keep an eye on the sprouts and bacon while they're cooking, and change the time as needed to get the crispness you want.
FAQs
Can I use frozen Brussels sprouts for this recipe? Fresh is best, but if using frozen, make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry to avoid sogginess. Can I make this recipe vegetarian? Absolutely! Just omit the bacon, and the maple-glazed sprouts will still be deliciously sweet and crispy. Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon? Yes, but since turkey bacon has less fat, it won’t crisp up the same way. Keep an eye on it while cooking. How long will leftovers last? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results.Nutrition
Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 711mg | Potassium: 686mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1153IU | Vitamin C: 129mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 2mg
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Tim
It's perfect. The only tweak I did was cook the bacon head.
Christina T
I love this recipe! This is my favorite way to eat brussel sprouts. I made this for my friend who doesn't enjoy brussel sprouts and she loved them as well. Whenever I make this dish for friends/family, they always ask for the recipe. These brussel sprouts are quick and easy to make and pair nicely with many dishes.
Mom
My first time eating Brusselsprouts…. Pretty great!
Michelle G.
Delicious!! My new favorite, I’ve made it twice already!
Stephanie
Silly question, can I use bacon bits? I know the real thing would be much better, but just curious.
Gary White
Ya know what, I've never cooked pre-cooked bacon bits before. So I'm not sure how they might respond in an air fryer.
Leisa Kaszczuk
Just wondering...Do you leave the Crisper Plate in the basket when you cook the Brussels Sprouts???
I have the Ninja AF100 Air Fryer and was was wanting to make these using this recipe but adding fresh garlic and onions to the mixture. I hope that would cook evenly and not burn!!😊
Do you have a recipe for making Fried Squash in the Air Fryer??
Respectfully yours,
Leisa
Gary White
I'm not familiar with the crisper plate or the Ninja Foodi. And as of now, I have not written a recipe for air fryer squash.
Joan Farquharson
This was so amazing! My daughter who isn’t a big fan of vegetables cleared the Brussel sprouts off of her plate!
Will definitely make this again
Jeanne
While I think this recipe has great potential it certainly wasn't a hit for me! I chose to use the oven method option and the result was an overly sticky and sweet dish. My thoughts are, if this recipe was done in an airfryer so the brussels weren't submersed in a pool of fatty syrup it would have turned out much better, probably even great! If I were to use the oven method again, I would cut down on the oil/maple syrup mixture to about one third of what is called for.
Phylicia
So so good!! These were a huge hit - I paired with steak and lobster mashed potatoes to complete a fancy homemade anniversary dinner. This will for sure become a staple recipe for us! Can't believe I waited this long to try this in the air fryer. Thanks for this great recipe!!
McKay
Delicious, family enjoyed
Catherine
I love this recipe. I hate brussel sprouts but this makes them so good!
June
So easy and super yummy. The crispy charred leaves & bacon and salty & acidic work great together.
Kali
Made these for thanksgiving and my whole family raved about them! They were amazing and so easy! I did them in the air fryer in two batches for 12 minutes each. Will definitely keep this in mind next time I need to make Brussels sprouts! Thanks for the recipe
Nicole
First, the photos in this recipe don't come up for me. But that is beside the point. This is hands down the best way I have ever made Brussel sprouts ever. I didn't think this recipe could be as good as the reviews until, it was! The bacon comes out crisp and candied, the sprouts were perfectly tender and not overly crisped. Restaurant quality - for real. It was the star of the thanksgiving table. THANK YOU!
Ginger Hohm
Love this recipe. I make brussel sprouts often in my air fryer, but never thought to add the maple syrup. I also mix in one half sliced onion. Super yum!