Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts
If you swore off Brussels sprouts as a kid, this is your sign to give them another chance.
Picture golden, crispy-edged sprouts, caramelized in the air fryer with Sweet Maple Seasoning, then tossed in a glossy Maple Bourbon Bacon Jam that turns sticky in the final minutes. Sweet, smoky, and seriously hard to stop eating straight out of the basket.
It’s the side dish that quietly steals the show at fall dinners. Don’t be surprised when the turkey gets fewer compliments than the sprouts. 😉
Did You Know?
The Brussels sprouts you grew up with really did taste more bitter. In the 1990s, a team of Dutch scientists led by Hans van Doorn identified the two compounds behind the bite, glucosinolates called sinigrin and progoitrin. They found that some older varieties had lower levels of these compounds, and published their findings in 1999. Breeders then crossed those less-bitter varieties with modern high-yield ones, giving us the milder sprouts we enjoy today.
They also pack a nutritional punch. A half cup of cooked Brussels sprouts provides about 48 mg of vitamin C (81% of the Daily Value) and 2 grams of fiber, and they’re a good source of vitamin K
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Sweet meets savoury. Maple, black pepper and a kick of hot pepper bacon jam create layers of flavour in every bite.
Crispy edges, sticky glaze. The air fryer gives you that roasted caramelization without heating up the whole oven.
Fast and fuss-free. Five ingredients and less than 25 minutes from basket to table.
Holiday-worthy. It earns a spot beside roasted turkey, chicken or pork tenderloin, and works just as well on a Tuesday.
Food With Benefits
Brussels sprouts bring fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K to the plate, along with the plant compounds that make cruciferous vegetables so nutritious. A little oil helps them crisp up and makes this side more satisfying, while a small amount of bacon jam delivers big flavour without needing to drown the vegetables in sauce.
That’s the Food With Benefits approach: let the vegetable shine and use just enough flavour to make everyone want seconds.
PFF — Protein • Fiber • Fat
Each serving delivers approximately 3–4g of protein, 4g of fiber, and 5–6g of fat before the bacon jam, making it a fiber-forward side that pairs well with any protein-rich main.
Nutrition will vary depending on the oil, the amount of bacon jam, and the number of servings.
Servings: 4
