Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are crisp, tender caramelized brussels sprouts cooked with chunks of bacon coated in maple syrup. Enjoy this delicious veggie dish as a side at dinner, as an appetizer, or even as a snack! (This recipe is naturally gluten-free, and dairy-free if you omit the cheese.)
If you can’t resist the sweet and salty flavors of maple syrup and bacon, then you have to try our oven-roasted Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Butternut Squash!
This crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts recipe is not your average, boring vegetable side dish. Maple syrup and bacon elevate this veggie, providing a delicious mix of sweet and salty flavors. When the dish is hot and fresh out of the air fryer, I sprinkle the brussels sprouts with parmesan to up the yum factor. If you aren’t a fan of brussels sprouts, you will be after this!
Although it can be enjoyed year-round, brussels sprouts are at their seasonal peak during the fall, just in time for the holidays! Preparing brussels sprouts in the air fryer is perfect when you need the stove and oven for more elaborate dishes. Of course, you could always skip the oven entirely and make a Quick and Easy Brussels Sprout Salad!
Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a family dinner, this side will complement any meal.
You’ll love these Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts because they’re:
- Healthy – Adding more brussels sprouts to your diet can help prevent certain cancers, heart disease, and diabetes. It’s also packed with fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins!
- Quick & Easy – Simply season and add them to the air fryer while you prepare the rest of your meal.
- Customizable – Air-fried brussels sprouts can be seasoned to suit your cravings, whether that’s savory, spicy, or sweet!
- Delicious – Even the pickiest eaters can’t resist something coated in maple syrup and served with bacon!
Ingredients
- Brussels sprouts
- Cooking oil (olive oil or avocado oil)
- Maple syrup
- Garlic cloves
- Bacon
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
How To Make Brussels Sprouts With Bacon In The Air Fryer
- Trim and cut the Brussels sprouts in half. Cut the bacon into one-inch pieces.
- Add the brussels sprouts, maple syrup, fresh garlic, cooking oil, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Mix to combine. Then, mix in the bacon.
- Cook the brussels sprouts in two batches. Air Fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until caramelized and crispy and the bacon is fully cooked, golden brown, and crispy.
- Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with parmesan cheese and enjoy!
How long to cook Brussels sprouts in the air fryer?
10-12 minutes
If you want extra crispy brussels sprouts, add 1 – 2 minutes.
How to cook frozen brussels sprouts in the air fryer?
Although I prefer to use fresh brussels sprouts, they can be prepared from frozen. Skip the slicing step and season the frozen sprouts. Air fry them at 400°F for 18-20 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, toss the sprouts in the air fryer basket.
Frozen brussels sprouts will not be as crunchy but they will be tender inside. This is due to the moisture from the vegetable as it defrosts during the cooking process. The inside also becomes softer because frozen sprouts are cooked whole and not sliced.
What to serve with air fryer brussels sprouts?
- Salad: Add it to salad for a heartier meal packed with even more greens! This would go well tossed in a Superfood Salad. Or, roast the Brussels sprouts and use them to make our Brussels Sprout Salad.
- Fish: Want an easy, weeknight option? Make your whole meal (veggies and protein) in the air fryer, using this Air Fryer Salmon recipe.
- Pork: Brussels sprouts would taste great with a savory dish like Instant Pot Ribs. It would be a great Sunday dinner with another side like these Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
- Poultry: Serve it as a side at a holiday feast, with Spatchcock Turkey, Roasted Chicken, or Turkey Legs.
Storage Options + Rewarming Leftovers
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Rewarm in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through.
Variations + Customization Options
- Add honey instead of maple syrup. Drizzle it on once the brussels sprouts are done and rewarm with honey for about 1-2 minutes.
- Use vegan parmesan cheese for a dairy-free option.
- Don’t eat pork? Omit the bacon. Or add turkey bacon- if using turkey bacon add it halfway through the cooking time so that it doesn’t burn.
- Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze are one of my favorite ways to serve this. You can add 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar to the mixture before cooking.
- Make it Whole30. Skip the maple syrup and cheese, and this dish is perfectly whole30 compliant.
- Add butternut squash. Check out our Air Fryer Butternut Squash Recipe.
I hope you enjoy this Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe!
If you try the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments. Leave a quick review & star rating ★ below! Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen.
More Delicious Vegetable Recipes!
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
- Air Fryer Okra
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Cauliflower Tots
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Easy Garlic-Herb Baked Okra
- Grilled Eggplant
- Healthy Soy-Glazed Eggplant
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts
- 2 tsp Cooking oil olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 tbsp Maple syrup
- 3 Cloves Garlic
- 7 strips Bacon
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Trim the root end and cut the brussels sprouts into halves. For larger Brussels sprouts, cut them into quarters.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes, if needed.
- Toss the brussels sprouts with the cooking oil, maple syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Then, cut the bacon into one inch pieces and toss the bacon in with the brussels sprouts.
- Cook in two parts to avoid crowding the air fryer. Place half of the brussels sprouts and bacon in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through to avoid burning the mixture. The brussels sprouts are fully cooked when they are caramelized and lightly crisp, and the bacon is browned and crispy. Remove the Brussels sprouts and bacon from the air fryer and cook the second batch, repeating the previous step.
- Add all the Brussels sprouts back in the air fryer to warm, if necessary. Air Fry for about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer. Transfer to a large bowl and top with fresh parmesan cheese (optional).
- Serve and enjoy!
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