Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts are a delicious and easy appetizer or side dish that is perfect for any occasion. This recipe combines the smoky and savory flavor of bacon with the tender and nutty flavor of Brussels sprouts.
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Check out my Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks and my Air Fryer Pineapple Cream Cheese Wontons for more air fryer appetizer ideas!
Using an air fryer to cook the Brussels sprouts and bacon not only results in a healthier dish by requiring less oil than traditional frying, but it also helps to cook them evenly and perfectly crisp the bacon. The air fryer also helps to cook the Brussels sprouts and bacon evenly and crisps the bacon perfectly, making them a great finger food for parties and gatherings.
Give it a try and enjoy this delicious and flavorful dish!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Crispy and flavorful. The air fryer gives the bacon a crispy texture, while the Brussels sprouts become tender and caramelized. The combination of bacon and Brussels sprouts creates a delicious and savory flavor that is sure to please your taste buds.
- Easy and quick to make. This recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, requiring only two main ingredients and minimal prep time. Using an air fryer also cuts down on cooking time, allowing you to enjoy your bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts in just a few minutes.
- Healthy and low-carb. Brussels sprouts are a nutritious vegetable that is high in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. By using the air fryer to cook the bacon, you can also reduce the amount of oil used and make this dish healthier and lower in calories.
More finger food appetizers to try: Jalapeño Cheese Balls
Ingredients You'll Need
- Brussels Sprouts: They have a tender and slightly nutty flavor that pairs well with a variety of other ingredients, like bacon.
- Bacon: Crispy and perfectly browned, making it a delicious addition to the tender Brussels sprouts.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F.
Step 2: Wrap each Brussels sprout with a piece of bacon. Secure with a toothpick. Place in air fryer basket in a single layer, seam side down.
Step 3: Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping the Brussels sprouts halfway through, until the bacon is crispy and the Brussels sprouts are tender.
Step 4: Remove from the air fryer and serve hot.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Choose fresh and evenly sized Brussels sprouts. When selecting Brussels sprouts, make sure to choose ones that are fresh and evenly sized. This will ensure that they cook evenly and have a consistent texture.
- Parboil the Brussels sprouts. Parboiling the Brussels sprouts for a few minutes before wrapping them in bacon can help to speed up the cooking process and ensure that they are tender and evenly cooked. To do this, bring a pot of water to a boil, add the Brussels sprouts, and cook for 3-4 minutes. Drain and pat dry before wrapping them in bacon.
- Use thin-cut bacon. Thin-cut bacon works best for this recipe because it cooks faster and gets crispy in the air fryer. Thick-cut bacon can be used, but may require a longer cooking time.
- Secure the bacon with toothpicks. To prevent the bacon from unraveling during cooking, use toothpicks to secure it to the Brussels sprouts.
Variations
- Add a sweet glaze: For a sweet and savory flavor, you can add a glaze to the bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts. Try mixing honey, Dijon mustard, and balsamic vinegar, then brush the glaze over the bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts before air frying.
- Add a spicy kick: To add some heat to the bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts, sprinkle them with red pepper flakes before air frying, or mix some sriracha sauce with mayonnaise and use it as a dipping sauce.
- Use different types of bacon: You can try using different types of bacon to change up the flavor of the dish. For example, you could use maple bacon for a sweeter flavor, or applewood smoked bacon for a smokier flavor.
- Add cheese: For a cheesy twist, sprinkle shredded parmesan or cheddar cheese over the bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts before air frying.
Storing
Storing: The Brussels sprouts are best served immediately while the bacon is still crispy. However, if you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: You can use the air fryer again to help retain their crispiness. Simply preheat the air fryer to 350 °F, and air fry the leftovers for 3-5 minutes or until heated through and the bacon is crispy.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can use turkey bacon as a healthier alternative to regular bacon. Keep in mind that turkey bacon may take longer to cook and may not get as crispy as regular bacon.
You can serve these bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts with a variety of dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, ranch, or garlic aioli. You can also mix hot sauce or sriracha with mayonnaise for a spicy kick.
Yes, you can bake the bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts in a preheated oven at 400 °F for 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the Brussels sprouts are tender. However, the air fryer tends to give a crispier texture to the bacon.
More Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Special Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Brussels sprouts trimmed and cut in half
- 12 ounces regular sliced bacon cut into thirds
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Wrap each Brussels sprout with a piece of bacon. Secure with a toothpick. Place in air fryer basket in a single layer, seam side down.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping the Brussels sprouts halfway through, until the bacon is crispy and the Brussels sprouts are tender.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve hot.
Notes
- When selecting Brussels sprouts, make sure to choose ones that are fresh and evenly sized. This will ensure that they cook evenly and have a consistent texture.
- Parboiling the Brussels sprouts for a few minutes before wrapping them in bacon can help to speed up the cooking process and ensure that they are tender and evenly cooked. To do this, bring a pot of water to a boil, add the Brussels sprouts, and cook for 3-4 minutes. Drain and pat dry before wrapping them in bacon.
- Thin-cut bacon works best for this recipe because it cooks faster and gets crispy in the air fryer. Thick-cut bacon can be used, but may require a longer cooking time.
- To prevent the bacon from unraveling during cooking, use toothpicks to secure it to the Brussels sprouts.
- Storing: The Brussels sprouts are best served immediately while the bacon is still crispy. However, if you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: You can use the air fryer again to help retain their crispiness. Simply preheat the air fryer to 350 °F, and air fry the leftovers for 3-5 minutes or until heated through and the bacon is crispy.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Peggy
Recently my husband and I were at a wedding reception. Their appetizers included water chestnuts wrapped in bacon that were, I think, air fried. They were delicious!! Another variation you might like to try:)