Roasted Bacon Brussels Sprouts are oven baked with chopped bacon, apples, and a drizzle of maple syrup. This Brussels sprouts recipe is guaranteed to convert any non-lovers into diehards!
If you’re already a Brussels sprouts super-fan, check out my technique for making the best Brussels sprouts you’ll ever eat!
Why These Are The Best Brussel Sprouts You’ll Ever Eat
Once upon a time I had the stereotypical kid aversion to Brussels sprouts. I just didn’t get it. They smelled funny and tasted liked they smelled – what I imagined to be an adolescent boy’s gym socks.
But here I am a bonafide convert. About a year ago I picked up some Brussels sprouts, served them for dinner, and announced we were going to learn to love Brussels sprouts together. Because #lifegoals
My first attempt bombed. In effort to roast out any strong taste, I burnt the crap out of them. The kids picked at charred leaves and asked why they had to love Brussels sprouts too.
But I’m a fighter and I wasn’t going to be beat by those lil’ cabbage balls. Time to get serious.
What is the Best Way to Cook Brussels sprouts?
Funny you should ask because I’m quite the expert now. It took a lot a few more attempts, but I’m confident I’ve nailed it.
You know how I know? The kids get SUPER EXCITED when it’s lil’ green balls night, and come back for seconds like nobody’s business.
Turns out roasting from raw to cooked significantly increases the likelihood of burnt Brussels sprouts.
The more tender they are, the milder the flavor. However, baking them for that long means charring all the outer leaves.
Partially steaming the Brussels sprouts in the microwave first starts the cooking process and shortens the overall baking time. No more burnt sprouts.🤙
How do you Make Brussels Sprouts Crispy?
With our par-cooked Brussels sprouts, we can now focus on getting them crispy and caramelized. (That sounded very America’s Test Kitchen, didn’t it?)
The key is having the cut, flat surface make contact with the baking sheet the whole baking time. Since the sprouts are halfway cooked, there’s no need to worry about them becoming overly browned.
Adding a little sugar, like pure maple syrup also helps with the caramelization and roasting in the bacon drippings seals the deal.
How To Make Bacon Brussels Sprouts
- If you like crispy bacon, place chopped bacon and olive oil on a baking sheet and cook for 4 minutes at 425ºF.
- While bacon is starting to cook, partially steam the Brussels sprouts in the microwave for a few minutes.
- Place drained sprouts on greased baking sheet with bacon and toss with maple syrup, apples, salt, and pepper.
- Roast for 15 minutes, stir, and then finish baking for 10 minutes or until Brussels sprouts are crispy and caramelized.
Tips For Even More Goodness 😱
- If you don’t have pure maple syrup substitute the same amount of brown sugar
- I always use kitchen shears when cutting raw bacon. Makes it so easy and quick!
- To get crispy, caramelized Brussel Sprouts, roast the entire time with cut-side laying flat on baking sheet.
- Option: Top finished Bacon Brussels Sprouts with 2 tablespoons of chopped pecans.
- Option: When Brussels sprouts come out of the oven sprinkle on freshly grated parmesan cheese or blue cheese crumbles.
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Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 slices bacon, chopped in 1/2" pieces
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 medium apple, cored and chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ºF. Evenly spread olive oil on a baking sheet. If you prefer crispy bacon, lay chopped bacon pieces flat on sheet and bake for 4 minutes first. (Otherwise mix everything together, except cranberries, on baking sheet and bake all at the same time).
- While bacon is partially cooking, in a microwave safe bowl place washed, cut Brussels sprouts along with 1 tablespoon of water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, depending on how tender you prefer your Brussels sprouts to be in the end. Uncover and drain any leftover water.
- Place steamed Brussels sprouts, maple syrup, apples, salt and pepper on baking sheet with partially cooked bacon. Toss to combine.
- Make sure Brussels sprouts are cut-side down and bacon is laying flat. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, toss, return Brussels sprouts to cut side down, and bake for 10 minutes more. Add optional cranberries and serve.
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Recipe Notes
- If you don't have pure maple syrup substitute the same amount of brown sugar
- I always use kitchen shears when cutting raw bacon. Makes it so easy and quick!
- To get crispy, caramelized Brussel Sprouts, roast the entire time with cut-side laying flat on baking sheet.
- Option: Top finished Bacon Brussels Sprouts with 2 tablespoons of chopped pecans.
- Option: When Brussels sprouts come out of the oven sprinkle on freshly grated parmesan cheese or blue cheese crumbles.
Nutrition
❊SHOP THE RECIPE❊
Here are some items I used to make this recipe:
Baking Sheet Santoku Knife Glass Bowl
OTHER RECIPES TO LOVE:
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Hannah Flack says
This looks delicious, and I appreciate all your helpful notes and tips! Bookmarking for this weekend 🙂
Tamara KSA says
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on an entirely different subject
but it has pretty much the same page layout and design.
Superb choice of colors!
Putin says
Excellent blog you have got here.. It’s difficult to find
quality writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate people like you!
Take care!
Jean Miller says
Trying this for Thanksgiving. Husband loves Brussels sprouts (not a favorite of mine but am willing to try this recipe! Wish me luck! Happy Thanksgiving.
Melissa says
Hi Jean,
So, I used to HATE brussels sprouts, but now I LOVE them because of this recipe. All of my kids enjoy it too! I hope it converts you as well! If not, you are a lovely wife!
Best,
Melissa
Rose Martine says
Great twist on the original recipe! I have all the ingredients in the house, this will be dinner tonight. Love it.
Joni Gomes says
This combo is so so good! I have added bacon and maple syrup before but have never thought to add apple and cranberries! Great holiday side dish!
Joni Gomes says
Wow what a great tip about partially steaming them first had no idea! Will definitely try this next time I make Brussels sprouts! I’m craving some already after looking through this recipe!
Melissa says
I can’t stop making them now! They are so amazing, and so perfect for this time of year.
Megan Porta says
You are a Brussels sprouts expert, which makes us basically best friends. 😁 I loooove this veggie! And I love your tips for preparing them.
Melissa says
That’s right. We are bonded by sprouts. It’s a bond that can never break. 😊