Crispy air fryer bacon wrapped brussel sprouts with balsamic vinegar at 390 degrees are the best appetizer! We used fresh and whole but could use frozen brussel sprouts with these same flavors too. Use your Cosori or Ninja Foodi to make these bite size finger foods for a party this season.
Bacon wrapped brussel sprouts in air fryer or roasted in the oven turns out great. Serve as a savory appetizer or side dish. Delicious, cheap and easy to do. Add a bit of brown sugar for a touch of sweetness if you’d like or balsamic glaze. (affiliate links present)
Ninja Foodi Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
I have both a Ninja, Cosori and a traditional electric air fryer too. It doesn’t matter what brand you have really. The biggest difference is the size of the basket and how many you can make at a time. With the Foodi you will use the lid that is attached with the air crisp button. Other than that the directions remain the same.
Beyond what we have here you can drizzle with balsamic vinegar at the end, serve as a dip or sprinkle with parmesan cheese too. I mean there are plenty of tweaks but as is they are mouth watering and fork tender.
Jump to:
If you love extra crispy food and quick recipes, here are some resources to start with:
- My Favorite models are this Cosori or for a dual machine, the Foodi.
- You can find more Ninja Foodi recipes here as well; bookmark them both!
- It is best practice to put food into a hot basket. this is how to preheat air fryer first.
- Here’s a printable free air fryer cooking time chart here for your fridge.
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic
I have drizzled my favorite balsamic on the top when these were done and OMG an even more out of this world flavor emerged. I will say that I am frugal but there is a huge difference in quality with this ingredient, spend the money! You want a thick rich and dark style vs. the thin wine like texture you find at the grocery store.
You will want some toothpicks if you want to serve them as an air fryer appetizer. I suggest the type that is just wood and not colored. Those, when cooked, will leach color out into your food which is kinda’ wierd. If used just for serving purposes and not frying inside the food then it wouldn’t matter.
Ingredients
- Package of bacon
- thick variety does NOT work as well
- Brussels sprouts
- Season with salt and black pepper
- Olive oil
Balsamic Reduction for Brussel Sprouts Recipe
- In a saucepan over medium heat add 1 cup brown sugar
- Add 3/4 c balsamic vinegar
- Allow this to start boiling, then reduce heat to medium low
- Stir intermittently, heat will create a thick syrupy sauce in about 15 minutes time
- Then remove from heat and once your brussels are done cooking drizzle this on top!
Beyond that you’re free to add any other seasonings you like when you cook brussel sprouts in general. I vary it from time to time. When I make Instant Pot brussels sprouts I add a bit more. Butter is used using that method too, for air fryers it is best to use olive oil instead.
How do you trim brussel sprouts?
These are the basic steps to take when making these mouth watering bites of goodness. Cut off the stem end. If the sprouts are small, leave them whole before cooking. If they seem to be rather large or have a thick core you might want to halve or quarter them so they’re all the same size. On the brussels sprouts cut side some leaves may fall off, that is okay.
How to cook whole brussels sprouts with bacon in air fryer
- Then in a large bowl toss to coat and drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper
- Add additional seasonings now if you’d like
- Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees
- Wrap a slice of bacon around each one loosely
- when you cook the bacon it will shrink so don’t wrap real tight
- Put in a single layer with the loose end facing down inside your air fryer basket
- Cook for 10-15 minutes or until the outsides are as crisp as you’d like, and insides are tender
Some like to sprinkle a bit of balsamic vinegar on them before serving too. OR you can cook in butter and shredded cheese like our Parmesan Crusted Brussel Sprouts for bold flavors.
Bacon wrapped brussel sprouts in the oven
- You will still need to wash and trim the ends off of the veggies.
- In a bowl whisk together 1/4 cup maple syrup + 2 tbsp of brown sugar
- Cut bacon slices in half so they’re shorter
- Have a non stick large baking sheet ready
- can wrap with non stick aluminum foil
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Wrap 1 halved piece around a brussel and lay it with the loose bacon end down so it doesn’t unwrap
- Use a pastry brush to brush syrup mixture on top of each one
- Sprinkle everything with a touch of salt and pepper
- can add . a bit of red pepper too for heat
- Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes until bacon is crispy and they are tender inside
More brussels sprouts recipes
- We’ve made brussel sprouts on the grill before
- This is how to make plain air fryer brussel sprouts without the bacon
- Brussel sprout stuffing would be a great new item as a Thanksgiving side dish
- There are many other ways to cook brussel sprouts too.
- These cast iron brussel sprouts is super creamy delicious.
Give these crispy brussel sprouts with bacon a try in your air fryer or brussel sprouts at 450 in your oven and let us know what you think in the comments below!
I vowed then to come up with a great recipe for brussel sprouts at my home. I wanted to get my kids to love them too and now they do!! Then try air fryer bacon next
Is this keto friendly?
If you’re weary of this questionable green vegetable I want to convince you how great they can taste AND they are ketogenic friendly at just 3.5 carbs per 1/2 cup serving!! I too wasn’t a fan until I was in my thirties and tried them at a farm to table restaurant. They were roasted, crispy on the outside but tender and covered in bacon.
It is all about the texture really. You do want to move them around whether baking in the oven or air frying. Once the outside is golden brown, test with a fork. If it easily slides into the center then they are ready. A little bit of push back is okay if you prefer them to stay just a bit firm but you shouldn’t have to push.
You always need food to cool completely before storing in a sealed container or freezer bag. You do want to remove as much air as possible so they don’t get mushy. The best way to reheat them is in the air fryer again, in a preheated machine at 400 with a drizzle of oil for a few minutes until crisped again.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 lb brussel sprouts, washed and trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1 lb bacon, regular is better vs. thick strips
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees
- In a bowl toss washed, paper towel dried, and trimmed brussels in olive oil. Add pinch of salt and pepper and toss to coat. Can add other seasonings now if you desire.
- One at a time loosely wrap a piece of bacon around each brussel sprout overlapping slightly until it is wrapped all the way around. (bacon will shrink when cooked and will squeeze brussel so a bit loose is good.
- Place each one in air fryer basket with loose end on the bottom so it doesn't come off.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping half way, until bacon is as crisp as you desire and brussel is tender.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Either way get ready for lots of OOHhhhs and Ahhhhhs from everyone. I have created a lot of easy air fryer recipes here on The Typical Mom, try them all and let us know what you think! (affiliate links present)