Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Maple Syrup

Crispy, Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon 🥓

If you’ve sworn off sprouts, this pan of crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts with bacon and maple glaze might change your mind. Caramelized edges, salty-sweet bacon, and a quick tang from vinegar — this version nails the sweet-salty crunch in about 15 minutes. These disappear fast at my house — we finish a batch before dinner hits the table. Air frying cuts the time way down compared to roasting, and the circulating heat helps the sprouts crisp without a greasy feel. Serve them with chicken, salmon, or steak — or honestly, eat them straight from the basket. These also make a rock-star side on my Thanksgiving and holiday table!

Fun fact: Whether you see them written as Brussels sprouts or brussel sprouts online, the correct name is Brussels sprouts — they’re named after Brussels, Belgium, where they were cultivated and became popular in the 16th century. That’s why the “s” matters — it nods to their European roots!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Ultra crispy without deep frying — the bacon renders and helps the edges caramelize.
• Sweet + salty + tangy balance from maple syrup and apple cider vinegar.
• Fast: about 15 minutes in the air fryer vs. 30–40 minutes in the oven.
• Flexible: easy swaps (honey for maple, turkey bacon, spices) and variations below.

Ingredients for Crispy Brussels Sprouts

• Brussels sprouts (trimmed & halved; quarter larger ones)
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Pure maple syrup
• Apple cider vinegar (balances the sweetness)
• Salt & black pepper
• Bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Nutrition note: Sprouts are packed with fiber, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Learn more from the Harvard T.H. Chan Nutrition Source.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Maple Glaze

1) Prep the sprouts

Trim ends and halve sprouts; quarter any very large ones so pieces are similar in size. Pull off loose leaves (they get extra crispy — save and add in the last few minutes!). Pat very dry for best browning.

2) Make the maple glaze

Whisk oil, maple syrup, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.

3) Toss with bacon

Add Brussels sprouts and raw bacon pieces; toss to coat well so the glaze reaches all cut surfaces.

4) Air fry till crispy

Air fry at 350°F (177°C) for 10–15 minutes, shaking halfway, until the bacon is crisp and sprouts are tender with browned edges. If you saved the loose leaves, add them in the last 3–4 minutes.

Oven option

Roast at 425°F (218°C) for 30–40 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes.

Pro Tips for Extra-Crispy Sprouts

• Size matters: Halve or quarter so pieces are uniform. Smaller = crispier, faster.
• Dry thoroughly: Water = steam = soggier sprouts. Pat dry after washing.
• Don’t overcrowd: Cook in a single layer. If needed, work in two batches.
• Use thick-cut bacon: Better texture and meaty bites; the fat helps browning.
• Finish with acid: A splash more apple cider vinegar or lemon at the end brightens everything.
• Bitterness hack: If your sprouts taste bitter, toss the cut sides with a tiny pinch of salt and let sit 5 minutes before glazing; it helps draw out moisture for better caramelization.

Serving Ideas

• Weeknight sides: Pair with grilled chicken, salmon, or pork tenderloin.
• Holiday spread: Serve alongside mashed potatoes and roast beef or turkey.
• Bowls + salads: Add leftovers to a warm grain bowl with feta and cranberries.
• Brunch: Top with a soft-poached egg and hot honey.

Variations & Swaps

• Less sweet: Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Cheesy finish: Toss with grated Parmesan right after cooking.
• No maple? Use honey instead.
• Flavor boosts: A little garlic powder or smoked paprika is great.
• Lighter: Use turkey bacon and reduce oil by 1 teaspoon.
• Spicy-sweet: Drizzle with hot honey to serve.

Leftovers, Storage & Reheating

Store leftover air fryer brussels sprouts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Re-crisp in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes. If reheating in the microwave, the texture will soften; finish with a minute in the air fryer if possible.

More Easy Air Fryer Sides

• Air Fryer Broccoli from Frozen
• How to Roast Any Vegetable in the Air Fryer
• Rice in the Air Fryer
• The Best Fried Rice in the Air Fryer

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Maple Syrup

Make these easy and delicious air fryer maple bacon brussels sprouts in less than 30-minutes for an easy dinner or side dish.

4.53 / 5 ( 34 Reviews )

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Serves: 4

Adjust Servings: 4

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Medium bowl

Ingredients

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts
• ¼ cup olive or avocado oil
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 4 bacon slices cut into ½-inch pieces

Instructions

• Trim and halve the washed Brussels sprouts, removing discolored leaves. Larger sprouts may need to be quartered to keep sprouts uniform in size.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together oil, maple syrup, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
• Add Brussels sprouts and raw bacon pieces to the bowl and gently stir to coat.
• Spoon coated sprouts and bacon to the air fryer. (Note that any extra glaze/sauce will just fall to the bottom of the air fryer.)
• Air fry at 350 °F for 10-15 minutes, until bacon and sprouts reach desired crispiness. Halfway through cooking, open drawer and stir contents.

Oven cooking instructions:

• Transfer coated sprouts and bacon to a baking dish or pan and cook in preheated oven at 425 °F for 30-40 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes.

Recipe Notes

I don’t like a lot of loose leaves in this dish because they can taste burnt, but the crispness of them can be nice. Leave some in, remove them all - up to you!

Nutrition

Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 23g | Sodium: 467mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 15g

Recipe Source: The Foodie Eats

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