Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Crispy brussel sprouts with bacon are the best air fryer appetizers! You can bake them in your oven too but get tender brussels with crisp bacon this way. 

• I have both a Ninja Foodi 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. Other than that the directions remain the same. 

Brussel sprouts with bacon

1. Package of bacon
   1. thick variety does NOT work as well
2. Brussels sprouts
3. Season with salt and black pepper
4. Olive oil
5. Toothpicks if you want to serve them as an air fryer appetizer

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.

These are the basic steps to take when making these mouth watering bites of goodness.

How do you trim brussel sprouts?

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.

• 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.

Oven roasted brussel sprouts with bacon

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 for 30-35 minutes until bacon is crispy and they are tender inside

There are many other ways to cook brussel sprouts too.

Balsamic reduction for brussel sprouts

• 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!

Looking for even 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

If you’re weary of this questionable green vegetable, I want to convince you how great they can taste!! 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.

• 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!!

Give these crispy brussel sprouts with bacon a try in your air fryer or easy brussel sprouts in your oven and let us know what you think in the comments below!

• Then try air fryer bacon next and add it into your cast iron brussel sprouts recipe that is super creamy delicious.