Air Fryer Crispy Brussels Sprouts & Bacon

These air fryer crispy brussels sprouts with bacon are one of my favorite side dishes to make. They come out perfectly crispy on the edges and tender on the inside, every single time.

The bacon adds a nice salty, savory flavor that pairs so well with the sprouts. And a little drizzle of maple syrup at the end gives them just the right touch of sweetness.

The air fryer does all the heavy lifting here. No need to heat up your whole oven for a simple side dish.

You only need a handful of ingredients and about 20 minutes. It’s the kind of recipe you can throw together on a busy weeknight without any stress.

If you’ve never been a fan of brussels sprouts, this recipe might actually change your mind. The crispy texture and bacon make all the difference.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Irresistibly Crispy – The air fryer gives these Brussels sprouts perfectly crispy caramelized edges that you simply cannot get from a regular oven.

Sweet and Savory Perfection – The maple syrup glaze paired with salty bacon creates a flavor combo that makes these Brussels sprouts absolutely addictive.

Ready in Under 20 Minutes – From prep to plate this entire recipe takes less than 20 minutes which makes it perfect for busy weeknights.

Only 6 Ingredients – You need just six simple ingredients to make a side dish that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Brussels Sprouts
• 4 slices Thick-Cut Bacon
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Maple Syrup
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/4 tsp Salt

How To Make

Step 1

Trim the ends off the Brussels sprouts and slice them in half.

Step 2

Chop the bacon slices into small, bite-sized pieces.

Step 3

In a large bowl, toss the Brussels sprouts and bacon pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt until well combined.

Step 4

Transfer the mixture to the air fryer basket and cook at 375F for 15 minutes, shaking the basket vigorously every 5 minutes for even cooking.

Step 5

Drizzle the maple syrup over the sprouts and bacon, toss lightly, and cook for 2 more minutes until perfectly glazed and crispy.

Step 6

Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately.

Tips

Cut Your Sprouts the Same Size

When you’re halving the Brussels sprouts, try to pick ones that are roughly the same size. If you have a few big ones mixed in with small ones, the small ones will burn before the big ones are cooked through.

If you do have some larger sprouts, quarter those instead of just halving them. You want every piece to be about the same thickness so they all crisp up evenly.

Cook the Bacon a Bit Before Adding the Sprouts

I’ve found that tossing raw bacon in with the sprouts from the start can leave you with bacon that’s not quite as crispy as you’d want. The sprouts release moisture as they cook, and that can keep the bacon from getting that nice crunch.

What works better is cooking the bacon pieces alone in the air fryer for about 3-4 minutes at 375F first. Then add the seasoned Brussels sprouts on top and continue with the full 15 minutes.

This gives the bacon a head start so it renders out more fat and gets truly crispy by the time everything is done.

Don’t Overcrowd the Basket

This is a make-or-break thing with this recipe. If you pile everything in and the sprouts are stacked on top of each other, they’ll steam instead of getting crispy. You’ll end up with soft, soggy sprouts instead of those golden, crunchy edges.

You want every piece to have some space around it so the hot air can actually reach it. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, cook this in two batches instead of forcing it all in at once.

I recommend spreading everything in a single layer as much as possible. You’ll notice a huge difference in how crispy the edges get.

Related Recipes

• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bundles
• Air Fryer Perfect Bacon
• Air Fryer Crispy Green Beans
• Air Fryer Balsamic Glazed Mushrooms
• Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to preheat the air fryer before adding the Brussels sprouts and bacon?

It’s a good idea to preheat your air fryer for about 3-5 minutes at 375F before adding everything in. This helps the Brussels sprouts start crisping up right away instead of slowly warming up, which can make them a bit soggy.

That said, if your air fryer model has a built-in preheat function, just use that and you’re good to go.