Brussels sprouts, bacon, and brown sugar come together in the easiest air fryer recipe. Crispy, sweet, and crazy addictive — you’ll make them again and again.
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Let’s just be real for a sec.
Growing up, I thought Brussels sprouts were… punishment. My mom (bless her heart) boiled them until they basically cried. They were mushy, bitter, and honestly, downright sad. You too? Yeah, I thought so.
But then—get this—I grew up (well, age-wise, anyway), got an air fryer, and decided to give those little green guys another chance. Best decision ever. Because when you wrap them in bacon and hit them with a touch of brown sugar? It’s game over. They transform from “meh” to “who ate the last one?!”
I made them once for a small get-together. Thought they’d be a fun side. Nope. They became the main event. My sister literally asked if I could make them for every single holiday moving forward. That’s when I knew… this Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer recipe was a keeper.
Why You’ll Love This Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer Recipe?
Okay, imagine this. You bite into crispy, salty bacon, then hit the tender, earthy Brussels sprout… and right after? That hint of caramel-y brown sugar sneaks in. It’s sweet, savory, crunchy, and soft all at once. Pure bliss.
Here’s why I love them (and why you will too):
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Ridiculously easy. Like… embarrassingly easy.
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Crowd-approved. Perfect for game day, holidays, or casual Friday nights.
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Super customizable. Want them spicy? Add a dash of cayenne.
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Quick cook time. 15 minutes and they’re ready to devour.
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Best finger food ever. Seriously, they disappear faster than chips.
Ingredient Notes:
I love recipes that don’t require a trip to three specialty stores. This is one of them.
- Brussels Sprouts
About 1½ lbs. Small ones are ideal, but if they’re chunky, just cut them in half. No biggie. - Bacon
Go with regular cut. Thick-cut takes forever and won’t crisp up properly. Trust me, been there. Didn’t love it. - Brown Sugar
Oh yeah. This is the secret ingredient. It creates that magical sweet glaze on top. Skipping it? You’ll regret it later.
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer?
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. (Gotta get that baby hot so the bacon crisps up perfectly.)
Step 2: Wash and trim your sprouts. If they’re bulky, cut ‘em in half. Nobody wants a mouthful they can’t handle.
Step 3: Wrap each sprout in bacon. Just roll and tuck. Seam side down is key so they don’t unravel mid-cook.
Step 4: Line the air fryer basket with parchment. Not essential but saves you a headache during cleanup. Trust me, cleaning stuck-on bacon sugar is not fun.
Step 5: Sprinkle brown sugar generously over the wrapped sprouts. This step? It’s everything.
Step 6: Air fry for 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them. Some air fryers run hot (mine’s a rebel). You’re aiming for crispy bacon and tender sprouts.
Step 7: Serve immediately. No really, they’re best hot and crispy. Good luck not eating half before they hit the table.
Storage Options:
If by some miracle you don’t devour them all? Pop them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
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To reheat: air fryer is best for bringing back the crisp. Microwaving makes them a little meh. Still edible though.
Freezing? Eh, wouldn’t recommend. They lose that awesome texture.
Variations and Substitutions:
You know me — I love mixing things up. Here’s how you can get creative:
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Spicy kick: Toss in a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
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Maple dream: Swap the brown sugar with maple syrup before air frying.
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Cheesy upgrade: Sprinkle with grated Parmesan right after cooking.
Honestly, this Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer recipe is super forgiving. It’s like that friend who rolls with whatever plans you throw at them.
What to Serve with Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer?
They’re honestly fantastic as is, but here’s what I love to pair them with:
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Holiday spreads: Add next to turkey, ham, or roast beef.
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Game day grub: Serve with wings and sliders.
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Weeknight dinners: Perfect side for grilled chicken or steak.
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Brunch vibes: Pair with eggs and toast. (Yes, really!)
Basically, they play well with others.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make them ahead?
Yep! Wrap them ahead of time and refrigerate. Just air fry when ready to serve.
Can I use turkey bacon?
Sure. It’s leaner and cooks faster, but it works. Just watch your cook time.
Can I make them without sugar?
You can, but honestly… that touch of sweetness makes them special.
So, here we are. From my childhood eww Brussels sprouts days to now… I’m officially obsessed. And after you try these Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer, I bet you will be too.
They’re easy, crispy, sweet, savory — basically everything you want in a snack or side.
So what do you think? Are you ready to give Brussels sprouts their comeback moment? Drop your thoughts below or tell me how yours turned out. I’m dying to hear if they converted you too.
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb bacon
- 1 ½ lbs Brussels sprouts
- ½ c brown sugar
Instructions
- Before you start make sure to preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- Begin by washing and trimming the Brussels sprouts. If they are large cut them in half.
- Next take the bacon. Cut it into thirds. Wrap each piece around a sprout.
- To prepare the air fryer basket line it with parchment paper. Then place the wrapped sprouts, in the basket, with the seam side down. Sprinkle some sugar on top.
- Let them cook for 15 minutes or until the bacon becomes crispy and the sprouts turn tender.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!