Crispy & Delicious: The Ultimate Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Prepare to fall in love with these Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts! This incredibly simple yet powerfully flavorful dish elevates a humble vegetable into a culinary delight that everyone, even the most skeptical eaters, will adore. Combining the earthy notes of Brussels sprouts with the savory, smoky crunch of bacon creates a taste sensation that’s truly irresistible. Not only are these quick and easy to prepare, but you only need three basic ingredients to transform ordinary veggies into the star of your dinner table tonight!
If you’re looking for a way to convert Brussels sprout skeptics, especially kids or even adults who claim not to like this cruciferous vegetable, then these simple bites are an absolute game-changer. The combination of crispy bacon and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar works wonders, masking any bitterness and replacing it with a delightful savory-sweet crunch. Don’t be surprised if you start hearing requests for this dish every week!
Once you master these delicious Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, you might also want to explore other air fryer vegetable recipes. For another fantastic sprout option, be sure to check out our Air Fryer Parmesan Brussels Sprouts. Looking for more bacon-wrapped goodness? You’ll love these Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus. And if you’re craving bacon but prefer a lighter alternative, our Air Fryer Turkey Bacon recipe is a must-try!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts Recipe
- Effortlessly Delicious: With minimal ingredients and simple steps, this recipe delivers maximum flavor.
- Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: Bacon makes everything better, and Brussels sprouts are no exception. This dish is a proven way to get even the pickiest eaters to enjoy their greens.
- Quick & Easy: The air fryer works its magic, turning fresh ingredients into a crispy, tender delight in under 20 minutes, including prep time!
- Versatile Side or Appetizer: Perfect for a weeknight dinner, a holiday gathering, or even a game day snack.
- Perfect Texture: The air fryer ensures the bacon is perfectly crispy while the Brussels sprouts become tender with a slightly caramelized exterior.
The Magic of Air Frying for Perfect Brussels Sprouts
Using an air fryer for bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts is a game-changer. The circulating hot air crisps the bacon beautifully and evenly, rendering the fat and infusing the sprouts with rich, smoky flavor. Simultaneously, the sprouts cook to a tender perfection without becoming mushy. This method delivers a superior texture and taste compared to traditional oven baking, and it does so in a fraction of the time with less oil and easy cleanup.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
You only need three simple ingredients for this incredible recipe. Quality ingredients make a difference, so choose them wisely!
- Regular Cut Bacon: This is key for wrapping and achieving that perfect crispy texture. Thin slices will cook too fast and might burn, while extra-thick cut bacon might not cook through in time or wrap as easily. Feel free to use your favorite brand, like Hormel Bacon, and consider flavored bacon (like applewood smoked) for an extra layer of taste!
- Brussels Sprouts: Opt for fresh, small to medium-sized Brussels sprouts. They are generally more tender and easier to wrap. If you can only find larger ones, you can halve them before wrapping, but ensure the bacon still covers them well. Wash them thoroughly and trim the stem ends.
- Brown Sugar: This ingredient provides a wonderful caramelization and a sweet counterpoint to the salty bacon and slightly bitter sprouts. It’s what gives these bites their addictive quality. Light or dark brown sugar will work equally well.
Optional Flavor Boosters
While delicious on their own, a few additions can elevate these bacon-wrapped delights even further:
- Garlic Powder or Onion Powder: A pinch added to the brown sugar mix can enhance the savory profile.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper offers a subtle kick.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For those who enjoy a touch of heat.
- Maple Syrup or Balsamic Glaze: A light drizzle after cooking adds another layer of sweet or tangy complexity.
- Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan over the finished sprouts for an umami boost.
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Making these savory-sweet bites in your air fryer is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for perfectly crispy and tender results every time.
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Prepare the Sprouts and Bacon: Start by washing and trimming your Brussels sprouts. If they are on the larger side, you might want to halve them. Next, take your regular-cut bacon and slice each strip in half widthwise. This ensures each sprout gets a good bacon wrap without excess.
Wrap one piece of halved bacon tightly around each Brussels sprout. If needed, secure the bacon with a toothpick to ensure it stays in place during cooking. Repeat this process until all your sprouts are neatly wrapped.
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Coat with Brown Sugar: Pour the brown sugar into a shallow bowl. Take each bacon-wrapped Brussels sprout and roll it in the brown sugar until it’s evenly and thoroughly coated. This sweet coating will caramelize beautifully in the air fryer, adding a delightful crispness and flavor.
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Load the Air Fryer Basket: Carefully arrange the coated, bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts in a single layer in your air fryer basket. It’s crucial to avoid stacking or overlapping them, as this will prevent proper air circulation and result in uneven cooking and less crispiness. Work in batches if necessary to ensure optimal results.
- Air Fry to Perfection: Air fry the Brussels sprouts at 380 degrees F (195°C) for 13-16 minutes. During this time, the bacon will become wonderfully crispy and the brown sugar will caramelize, creating a delectable crust. The Brussels sprouts inside will cook through to a tender consistency. You may want to flip them halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping on all sides.
We typically make this recipe in our Cosori Air Fryer. Keep in mind that air fryer models can vary in size and wattage, so cooking times might need slight adjustments. It’s always a good idea to check for doneness and crispiness around the 12-minute mark and adjust the remaining cooking time by 1-2 minutes as needed.
Expert Tips for Perfect Results
- Choose the Right Bacon: Regular-cut bacon works best. Avoid thick-cut (it takes too long to crisp) and thin-cut (it can burn easily).
- Prep Your Brussels Sprouts Properly: Trim the woody ends and remove any discolored outer leaves. For larger sprouts, you can halve them to ensure they cook evenly with the bacon.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: This is arguably the most important tip for air frying. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of crisping. Cook in batches if necessary, allowing enough space for air to circulate around each piece.
- Secure with Toothpicks: While not always necessary, toothpicks can be a great help, especially if your bacon isn’t staying wrapped tightly. Just remember to remove them before serving!
- Monitor Cooking Time: Air fryers vary. Start checking at the lower end of the time range (around 12-13 minutes) and continue cooking until the bacon is golden brown and crispy to your liking, and the sprouts are tender.
How to Serve Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Air fryer bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts are incredibly versatile and super simple to serve. Their crispy, savory, and slightly sweet profile makes them perfect for a variety of occasions:
- Easy Appetizer: Arrange them on a platter with your favorite dipping sauce for an impressive and easy appetizer. They’re a fantastic low-carb option that disappears quickly at parties.
- Delightful Side Dish: Serve them alongside almost any main entree. They pair wonderfully with roasted chicken, grilled steak, pork chops, or even a simple weeknight pasta dish.
- Holiday Favorite: During the busy holiday season, this recipe requires little effort and always receives rave reviews. It makes for the perfect holiday appetizer or a memorable side dish that the whole family will enjoy.
- Brunch Addition: Unexpected but delicious! Add these to a savory brunch spread for a flavorful twist.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers of these delicious Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts, you’re in for another treat! Properly storing and reheating them will help maintain their flavor and texture.
First, allow them to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer them to an airtight container. Keep them chilled in the refrigerator, and for the best quality, consume them within 2-3 days.
To reheat, you have a couple of great options to revive that desirable crispiness:
- Air Fryer: This is the best method for restoring crispiness. Place the sprouts in a single layer in your air fryer basket and reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through and the bacon is crispy again.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the leftover sprouts on a baking sheet in a single layer and warm them for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crisp.
- Microwave (Not Recommended): While you can technically microwave them, it will result in soggy bacon and soft sprouts, losing much of their charm. Use only if absolutely necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These bacon-wrapped sprouts are incredibly versatile and pair well with just about anything! The crisp bacon provides that irresistible savory texture we all love and crave, while the fresh Brussels sprouts offer a delightful tenderness with a hint of earthy flavor. You could easily pair these crispy Brussels sprouts with any type of main entrée, from a juicy roasted chicken to a perfectly seared steak, or even a simple weeknight pasta dish. For a simple meal on its own, a little bit of grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top creates a satisfying and flavorful bite.
Absolutely! Dipping these savory bites can add another layer of flavor. You can choose any dipping sauce of your choice! Ranch dressing is a classic favorite, but hot sauce for a spicy kick, a creamy garlic aioli, or even a sweet chili sauce would also be delicious! If you’re not a fan of dipping, don’t forget that drizzling is also an option. Putting a little bit of balsamic glaze or a touch of maple syrup over the top after cooking would introduce a really unique and complementary flavor and taste profile.
While fresh Brussels sprouts are highly recommended for the best texture, you can use frozen ones in a pinch. However, you’ll need to thaw them completely and pat them very dry before wrapping them in bacon. Excess moisture will prevent the bacon from crisping properly. The cooking time might also need to be slightly adjusted.
You can do some prep work ahead! You can wrap the Brussels sprouts in bacon and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Coat them with brown sugar just before air frying for the best results, as the sugar can get sticky. For optimal crispiness, it’s always best to cook them fresh.
Yes, you can! If you prefer a purely savory profile or are trying to reduce sugar, you can skip the brown sugar. The bacon will still crisp up nicely, and the Brussels sprouts will be delicious. You might want to add a pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika to the bacon before wrapping for extra flavor.
Variations & Customizations
This recipe is a fantastic canvas for experimentation. Here are some ideas to customize your bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts:
- Change Up the Bacon Flavor: Don’t limit yourself to just regular bacon. Explore options like maple bacon for extra sweetness, black pepper bacon for a subtle kick, or even turkey bacon for a slightly healthier alternative (though it might require a touch more oil to crisp up).
- Add More Seasoning: Before tossing in brown sugar, sprinkle the wrapped sprouts with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy twist.
- Sweet & Spicy Glaze: After cooking, drizzle with a mixture of hot honey, balsamic glaze, or even a touch of sriracha for an extra punch of flavor.
- Cheesy Finish: Immediately after they come out of the air fryer, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, crumbled feta, or a sharp cheddar for a cheesy, savory addition.
- Different Sugars: While brown sugar provides a classic caramelization, you could experiment with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey before air frying for a different kind of sweetness.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
The air fryer is a fantastic tool for quick and easy meals and snacks. If you enjoyed these bacon-wrapped delights, be sure to try some of our other popular air fryer recipes:
- Air Fryer Deviled Eggs: A surprisingly simple way to make this classic appetizer.
- Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken: Get crispy, flavorful Chinese takeout at home.
- Dino Nuggets Air Fryer: The ultimate kid-friendly snack, made perfectly crispy.
- Air Fryer Chicken Jalapeno Poppers: Spicy, cheesy, and incredibly addictive.
- Air Fryer Mini Corn Dogs: A nostalgic treat made easy and delicious.
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Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Equipment
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1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon, regular and sliced in half
- 16 small Brussels sprouts
- ¼ cup brown sugar
Instructions
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Wrap one slice of halved bacon around each brussels sprout, seal with a toothpick if necessary. Repeat until all sprouts have been wrapped.
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In a large glass bowl, toss wrapped sprouts with brown sugar, until they are well coated.
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Place in the air fryer basket, without stacking or overlapping.
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Air Fry at 380 degrees F for 13-16 minutes, until bacon is crispy.
Notes
Variations
Change up the flavor of bacon – You can use salty bacon, crispy bacon, thick cut bacon, or any piece of bacon or strip of bacon that you want. Maple bacon sounds like some pretty good strips of bacon to add to this easy recipe! Add toppings – Let’s be truthful here and say that toppings are always a crowd-pleaser. Drizzling some olive oil with salt and black pepper on top of this delicious appetizer adds taste in an easy way. You can add soy sauce to these tender brussels sprouts after they are done cooking, or add some sweetness with a drizzle of maple syrup!Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.