This Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon recipe is so flavorful and delicious. The sprouts get super crispy when they are cooked with the bites of bacon. Both kids and adults love this vegetable side dish.

bowl of air fryer brussel sprouts with bacon

You’ve never had Brussel sprouts like these before! They’re cooked perfectly on the inside, but are browned and super crispy on the outside. I think you’re really going to love this recipe for crispy sprouts.

Whether you need an easy weeknight side dish or a flavorful holiday side dish, this recipe is the answer.

Why You Need This Recipe

  • You could make Brussels sprouts in the regular oven, but you need to cook them at such a high temperature that you’re more likely to burn them. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done that.
  • On the other hand, if you cook Brussel sprouts in an air fryer, you will get a much better result. The hot air of the fryer gets circulated around each sprout, emphasizing the Maillard reaction which causes the outer layers of the sprouts to brown and crisp.
  • You can get that crispiness with less oil in an air fryer, which is one reason why it has gotten so popular. Cooking veggies in the air fryer is the best way for a perfect side dish. See my full list of the air fryer pros and cons.

Key Ingredients

Brussels sprouts are in season from September through March in North America. This means that they often appear on fall and holiday menus. They are a cruciferous vegetable and a member of the cabbage family. Brussels sprouts are often called “brussel sprouts”.

Be sure to cut your sprouts in half (or into quarters for larger one) to ensure that they get cooked all the way through.

Thick cut bacon adds fat and helps the sprouts crisp up. Bacon also adds tons of flavor to this recipe.

Balsamic vinegar brightens the dish and adds even more of a salty flavor without more sodium.

Water is used to help prevent smoking from the air fryer, but is not absolutely necessary.

photo with labeled ingredients for air fryer brussels sprouts

Recipe Steps

Step One

Wash, trim and halve one pound of fresh brussels sprouts. I usually buy the bags at the market that are pre-washed and ready to go. Larger sprouts should be quartered for even cooking and for ultimate crispiness.

If you only have a bag of frozen sprouts, then don’t miss my recipe for Air Fryer Frozen Brussel Sprouts.

Step Two

Combine the chopped Brussels sprouts with the chopped bacon in a large bowl, and toss together. Then, pour the mixture into your air fryer basket.

Add about 1/4 cup of water to the bottom of your air fryer to help prevent smoking.

collage with photos on how to make air fryer sprouts

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Three

Set the temperature to 375 degree F and the cooking time to 18-20 minutes. Check on your Brussels sprouts about halfway through to toss them and make sure they aren’t burning.

up close picture of cooked sprouts and bacon inside air fryer

Step Four

When the sprouts have done cooking, they should have started to brown. The bacon should also be browned and cooked through.

Serve these Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts hot, tossed with the balsamic vinegar for extra flavor. This easy side dish goes with almost any main dish.

You might also like my recipe post on how to make Air Fryer Turkey Bacon!

Recipes Tips & Substitutions

  • Serve the Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts hot. They will start to lose their crispiness as they cool.
  • Chop up any leftover cold sprouts for a crunchy addition to salads.
  • Not every air fryer is designed the same way. If you do not have the ability to pour water into the bottom of your air fryer (below the basket), then you can just skip this step. The water can help reduce any smoking that may occur when the bacon cooks.
  • If you are on a strict gluten-free diet, be sure that the bacon that you use is gluten-free.
  • If you are on a keto or sugar-free diet, be sure to use sugar-free bacon.
two plates with servings of brussel sprouts

FAQs

What is the best air fryer?

I’ve had a few air fryers and they all seem to be about the same. It really just depends if you want a smaller size or a large one. They take up a lot of space on your kitchen countertop, so I tend to recommend a smaller size model for most people. That said, I’ve rounded up the best air fryers under $100.

Is this air fryer recipe healthy?

My blanket answer about vegetables is the more, the better. So, outside of deep-frying, I think any method that allows you to enjoy eating more vegetables, then that is a good thing. Also, Brussels sprouts are a member of the cruciferous veggies family which are very healthy.

Can I add Parmesan cheese to this recipe?

You can, but I think you’ll find that the bacon adds enough flavor that you can leave off the cheese.

Other Easy Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes You Might Like

Or, check out my entire index of gluten-free air fryer recipes.

cooked brussel sprouts in air fryer basket

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

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white bowl with cooked brussel sprouts

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

This Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon recipe is so flavorful and delicious. The sprouts get super crispy when they are cooked with the bites of bacon. Both kids and adults love this vegetable side dish.

  • Total Time: 23 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts, washed, trimmed, and halved (large sprouts should be quartered)
  • 2 slices of thick-cut bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. Place the halved Brussels sprouts in a medium-size mixing bowl and add the chopped bacon. Toss to combine.
  2. Pour the sprouts and bacon into the base of your air fryer and set the temperature to 375°F. Pour the water into the bottom of your air fryer (below the basket) to help prevent smoking.
  3. Bake for 18-20 minutes, stopping halfway through the baking process to open the drawer and shake the sprouts around. 
  4. When the cooking time is up, transfer the cooked sprouts with bacon to a serving bowl. Toss with the balsamic vinegar and serve hot.

Notes

  1. Not every air fryer is designed the same way. If you do not have the ability to pour water into the bottom of your air fryer (below the basket), then you can just skip this step. The water can help reduce any smoking that may occur when the bacon cooks.
  2. If you are on a strict gluten-free diet, be sure that the bacon that you use is gluten-free.
  3. If you are on a keto or sugar-free diet, be sure to use sugar-free bacon.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 71
  • Sugar: 1.8 g
  • Sodium: 80.7 mg
  • Fat: 3.9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.9 g
  • Fiber: 2.9 g
  • Protein: 3.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 6.2 mg

Keywords: air fried Brussels sprouts, air fryer veggies, air fryer sprouts and bacon

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