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. Best yet, you can make it in the oven or the air fryer.

This is the perfect side for any Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter dinner. They have an elegant and classy look while being very easy to throw together as a last minute, quick holiday side.
Just like this delicious side, check out our Paula Deen's Green Bean Casserole and our Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce for another great holiday side.
Be sure to check out our air fryer Brussels sprout recipe here. Or mix things up with this fun variation, fried cabbage with bacon.
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Flavor Combination: We love combination of savory roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet-tart cranberries, and smoky bacon.
- Texture Contrast: Roasted Brussels sprouts provide a satisfying crunch, while the plump cranberries burst with juiciness and the crispy bacon it makes for a great side dish my family loves!
- Festive Appearance: The vibrant colors of green Brussels sprouts and red cranberries make this dish perfect for the Holidays, especially as a side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
- Holiday Tradition: My family makes this meal every Christmas dinner. It's a fun tradition everyone loves.
- Crowd-Pleasing: We love making this side dish for any get together. It's always a hit, even with people who don't typically love Brussels sprouts.
Ingredients
- 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. It has a lower added sugar content and has the flavor you want.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Chop fresh Brussel 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.
3. Spread on the vegetable mixture on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Add the chopped bacon over the Brussel sprouts and cranberries.
4. Cook for 25-30 minutes. Make sure the bacon is fully cooked and the Brussel Sprouts are tender.
5. 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.
Substitutions
- Slivered Almonds - add ½ cup slivered almonds before roasting.
- No Cranberries - don't want cranberries? You can easily substitute them out!
- Pecans - add ½ cup halved pecan before roasting.
- Honey- Substitute the maple syrup for honey at a 1:1 ratio.
Variations
- 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.
Equipment
For this recipe you will need a Sheet Pan and Parchment Paper. This is an easy clean up, fast side dish.
Storage
Store maple Brussel sprouts in an air tight container for 3-4 days. They will lose their crisp texture when reheated.
For best texture, eat the day you make them. This side dish does not freeze well.
Top tip
Make sure to to use fresh Brussels sprouts. Using the vegetable frozen will have varying results and undesirable textures.
FAQ
Start by trimming the tough ends of the Brussels sprouts and removing any loose or damaged outer leaves. Cut them in half lengthwise for even cooking.
Fresh Brussels sprouts are recommended for roasting, as they tend to have better texture and flavor. Frozen Brussels sprouts might become too watery during roasting.
You can either pre-cook the bacon until it's partially done and then chop it before mixing it with Brussels sprouts, or you can roast the bacon alongside the Brussels sprouts, ensuring it becomes crispy during cooking.
Yes, you can substitute traditional bacon with turkey bacon or vegetarian bacon alternatives. Just note that the flavor and texture might differ slightly.
Absolutely. You can add other ingredients like toasted nuts (such as pecans or almonds), dried fruit (like cranberries or raisins), or even a drizzle of balsamic glaze for added complexity.
The roasting time typically ranges from 20 to 30 minutes at a temperature of around 400°F (200°C). Brussels sprouts should be tender and slightly caramelized, and the bacon should be crispy.
While the dish is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, you can prepare the ingredients in advance and roast them just before serving. Reheating might affect the texture of the Brussels sprouts and bacon.
You can adapt the recipe to fit various dietary preferences. For example, you can use turkey bacon for a lower-fat option, or omit bacon altogether for a vegetarian version.
You can adapt the recipe to fit various dietary preferences. For example, you can use turkey bacon for a lower-fat option, or omit bacon altogether for a vegetarian version.
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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.Â
- 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.Â
Jed
Tried these as a side for thanksgiving! Everyone loved them! Super easy
Cami
My kids gobbled these up!
sonia
I have a few left in the fridge.
This recipe of yours I really want to try!
Kristen Wood
We made this sans bacon and it was DELICIOUS! Thank you for the fab recipe. 🙂
Andrea
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.