Maple Brussel Sprouts with Bacon is a delicious and easy roasted side dish recipe that is both sweet and savory. This crispy but tender side is perfect for any holiday or family get together. Made with crispy bacon and fresh cranberries, topped with the sweet taste of pure maple syrup.
Why This Recipe is the Best
My family has made this dish every Christmas for several years. This is the perfect side for Thanksgiving and Easter dinner. It has an elegant and classy look while being very easy to throw together as a last-minute, quick holiday side. Best yet, you can make it in the oven or the air fryer.
Just like this delicious side, check out our Christmas Salad, Paula Deen's Green Bean Casserole, or Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce for another great holiday side.
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Key Ingredients
We tried to pack the best flavors to make a classic cheese ball.
- Brussels Sprouts- Fresh Brussels sprouts, wash and cut into quarters. Frozen Brussels sprouts can be used, but the texture will be different and could be mushy.
- Bacon- Cook and cut bacon. Or use precooked bacon bits.
- Fresh Cranberries- You can find these during the holidays in most vegetable sections. In a pinch, sprinkle craisins after the dish is baked.
- Pure Maple Syrup- Make sure to use pure maple syrup.
How to make Roasted Maple Brussel Sprouts
Learn how to make roasted Brussels sprouts with cranberries and bacon. Drizzled in bacon, this is a showstopper. Follow the step-by-step instructions for the best results.
- Chop fresh Brussels sprouts in half. Place in a large bowl. Add fresh cranberries to the bowl and mix. Mix in olive oil and half of the maple syrup.
- Spread the vegetable mixture on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Add the chopped bacon over the Brussel sprouts and cranberries.
- Cook for 25-30 minutes. Make sure the bacon is fully cooked and the Brussels sprouts are tender.
- Drizzle the remaining maple syrup on top of the roasted dish and serve.
Hint: Don't mix the bacon in with the dish. They will clump together and will not spread evenly. Simply drop them evenly over the dish onto the sheet pan.
Top tips
Make sure to use fresh Brussels sprouts. Using the vegetable frozen vegetables will have varying results and undesirable textures.
The first time I made these, I didn't drizzle the maple syrup after I roasted the dish. It lacked that sweet maple flavor. Make sure to add more maple syrup at the end for an intense flavor.
Recipe
Roasted Maple Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups brussel sprouts halved
- ½ cup fresh cranberries
- ½ cup uncooked, bacon chopped, about 3 thick slices
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 420 degrees
- Chop brussel sprouts in half and place in large bowl. Add cranberries to the bowl of brussel sprouts. Mix in olive oil and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup to the cranberry mixture
- Spread on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
- Sprinkle chopped bacon evenly over the brussel sprouts and cranberries. This helps the bacon not clump together
- Cook for 25-30 minutes or until bacon is fully cooked and brussel sprouts are tender. Browning of the brussel sprouts will occur
- Drizzle remaining tabelspoon of maple syrup on top of roasted brussel sprouts
Notes
- Air Fryer Method-
- Preheat air fryer to 375*F.
- Follow the steps above. Instead of a sheet pan, but the Brussel sprout mixture at the bottom of an air fryer basket.
- Air Fry for 7-10 minutes, shaking the basket at 5 minutes. Make sure the bacon is cooked all the way through.
Nutrition
Substitutions
- Slivered Almonds - add ½ cup slivered almonds before roasting.
- No Cranberries - don't want cranberries? You can easily substitute them!
- Pecans - add ½ cup halved pecans before roasting.
- Honey- Substitute the maple syrup for honey at a 1:1 ratio.
- Air Fryer - Make this awesome side dish in an air fryer. Place all the ingredients, tossed with olive oil and syrup, at the bottom of an air fryer basket. Air fry for 10 minutes at 375, or until bacon is cooked completely.
Storing Roasted Maple and Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Store maple Brussel sprouts in an airtight container for 3-4 days. They will lose their crisp texture when reheated.
For the best texture, eat them he day you make them. This side dish does not freeze well.
Cami says
My kids gobbled these up!
Kristen Wood says
We made this sans bacon and it was DELICIOUS! Thank you for the fab recipe. 🙂
Andrea says
I'm a big fan of brussels sprouts but this recipe will make a fan out of everybody. I can't wait to make this and devour it.