Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts

These sweet and savory maple bacon brussel sprouts are a great side dish for many meals! Crispy bacon and sticky sweet maple syrup add so much flavor to these crispy brussels sprouts. A go-to side dish that everyone will enjoy.

A bowl of maple bacon brussel sprouts with crispy bacon and pomegranate seeds, served with a pair of gold utensils.

The holiday season is often full of really unhealthy dishes. Delicious, yes, but not necessarily something that is great to consume on a regular basis. That’s why I love to have some healthier options for our Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner.

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Recipes like these maple bacon brussel sprouts are my favorite way to add healthy dishes to the table that lack nothing in flavor. This sweet and savory combination is irresistable and makes for a great side dish, no matter the time of year.

My favorite way to cook this veggie when I’m in a time crunch is to make air fryer frozen brussel sprouts. But when I have a few more minutes to prep, then I turn to this recipe. Whether I’m preparing a holiday table or not, these maple bacon brussel sprouts are always a great pairing.

Pair these with some brown sugar pork chops for the best cozy dinner. These are truly the best roasted brussels sprouts and the touch of sweetness with salty bacon is an irresistible combo. You’re going to love it!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Even if you’re not a veggie lover, this is a fun recipe that anyone will enjoy:

  • These are a fantastic healthier option for a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table. It always helps to keep some tasty veggies on the menu.
  • The texture of these brussel sprouts is fantastic. Tender, yet crispy on the outside, with just a little touch of caramelization from the maple syrup.
  • Maple bacon brussel sprouts are entirely gluten free! A great option to serve if you need a savory and sweet side dish.
Ingredients for a maple bacon Brussels sprouts dish on a marble surface: halved Brussels sprouts, diced bacon, pomegranate arils, olive oil, maple syrup, and a bowl of salt and pepper.

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make these delicious maple bacon brussels sprouts:

  • brussels sprouts
  • bacon
  • maple syrup
  • olive oil
  • pomegranate arils
  • salt and black pepper

Substitutions and Variations

You can use turkey bacon if you prefer! I personally like to grab some sugar free bacon so that the only sweetness is the pure maple syrup.

Feel free to add even more sweetness to this recipe with just a sprinkle of brown sugar.

If you don’t like pomegranate, you can leave the pomegranate arils out of this recipe. Though the tangy flavor they add is so yummy.

How to Make Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts

Follow these step by step instructions to make this delicious side dish:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Next, heat a large skillet over medium heat, and then cook the chopped bacon until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave the bacon grease in the skillet.

A stainless steel pan filled with browned Brussels sprouts sits on a marble countertop, with a small bowl of pomegranate seeds visible in the top left corner.

In the same skillet with the bacon grease, add the halved brussels sprouts. Sauté them for 5-7 minutes, or until they start to brown slightly.

A baking tray with parchment paper is filled with roasted Brussels sprouts, some pieces showing charred edges.
Sheet pan with roasted Brussels sprouts on parchment paper.

Drizzle the olive oil over the Brussels sprouts and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add the maple syrup and toss everything together to coat evenly.

A baking tray with roasted brussels sprouts, showing a mix of browned and green portions.
Maple bacon brussel sprouts with bacon pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Transfer the brussels sprouts to a baking sheet, spreading them out in a single layer. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the brussels sprouts are fork tender and caramelized.

Maple bacon roasted brussel sprouts dish mixed with bacon bits and pomegranate seeds.

Remove the Brussels sprouts from the oven and sprinkle the crispy bacon pieces and pomegranate over them. Toss gently to combine.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

How to Store Leftover Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and allow to cool completely. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing leftovers as they will be pretty mushy after being thawed and reheated. To reheat, pop into the oven until warmed through and crispy.

Close-up of a fork holding maple bacon brussel sprouts with bits of bacon and red pomegranate seeds.

What to Serve with Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

These yummy brussel sprouts go great with many different dishes. For an easy dinner, serve them up with Instant Pot pork chops or air fryer pork chops. Pair it with maple mustard pork loin for a yummy fall flavored meal. Add pumpkin cheesecake for dessert for an extra cozy touch.

Of course, you can serve it with a Thanksgiving turkey too — or even a roast chicken. Even some simple air fryer grilled chicken or air fryer filet mignon is so yummy with this side dish.

Tips for Success

The maple flavors of this yummy dish are so great! Check these few tips to ensure

  • Make sure to choose firm, bright green brussels sprouts that don’t have an yellow leaves or black spots. This will ensure the best flavor and texture of this easy side dish.
  • Sautéing the brussels sprouts in the bacon grease before roasting helps infuse them with flavor and ensures a crispy exterior. You can skip this step and roast them directly, but they may be less crispy, so I don’t recommend skipping.
  • Don’t overcook your salty bacon. Cook until crispy and easy to crumble into tiny pieces so that they mix well with the brussel sprouts!
A bowl of maple bacon brussel sprouts mixed with bacon bits and pomegranate seeds on a marble surface.

FAQ

Why aren’t my brussel sprouts crispy?

Roasting at a high temperature helps the brussels sprout become crispy on the outside while remaining tender on the inside. If they’re not crispy, you may not have roasted at a high enough temperature.

Can I use frozen brussel sprouts?

Fresh brussels sprouts are best for a crispy texture, but if using frozen, thaw and pat them dry thoroughly before cooking to avoid excess moisture, which can make them soggy.

More Side Dish Recipes

A bowl of maple bacon brussel sprouts mixed with crispy bacon and topped with pomegranate seeds.

Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts

These sweet and salty maple bacon brussel sprouts are a show stopper! Whip up this easy side dish for a tasty dinner addition or even add to your holiday meals.
No ratings yet
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb 450g Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
  • 4-6 slices of bacon chopped
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup pomegranate arils
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave the bacon grease in the skillet.
  • In the same skillet with the bacon grease, add the halved Brussels sprouts. Sauté them for 5-7 minutes, or until they start to brown slightly.
  • Drizzle the olive oil over the Brussels sprouts and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add the maple syrup and toss everything together to coat evenly.
  • Transfer the Brussels sprouts to a baking sheet, spreading them out in a single layer. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the Brussels sprouts are tender and caramelized.
  • Remove the Brussels sprouts from the oven and sprinkle the crispy bacon pieces and pomegranate over them. Toss gently to combine.
  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25lb | Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 531mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 863IU | Vitamin C: 97mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you try this recipe? Share it with us on Instagram! @cookathomemom!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating