Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon is the best Whole30- and keto-friendly holiday vegetable side dish that you can make in the oven or air fryer!
This smoky roasted Brussels sprouts and bacon recipe is so dang easy to make and it’s been a fan favorite since the dish debuted on this blog way back in 2010. For a long time, I couldn’t figure out why; after all, Brussels sprouts aren’t exactly everyone’s favorite vegetable. Personally, when I was a kid, I couldn’t stand ’em.
Better with Bacon!
It wasn’t until adulthood that I discovered that the mild, nutty bitterness of these bulbous sprouts blends beautifully with smoky pork. It was the warm Brussels sprouts salad with bacon and eggs at the now-long-gone Gordon’s House of Fine Eats in San Francisco that first opened my eyes and ultimately inspired the Cavolini Al Forno recipe in my first cookbook. But with ingredients like Brussels sprouts and bacon, you don’t have to spend much time in the kitchen to produce a flavorful side dish that punches you in the face with flavor.
Can you make it in an air fryer?
Yes! The air fryer browns the Brussels sprouts and bacon bits beautifully and the cooking time is cut in half. However, the main disadvantage of using an air fryer is that most models have a small cooking capacity so you will need to cook this recipe in two batches.
How to store leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, you can store them in a sealed container for up to four days. You can use the leftovers as the base for a fantastic scramble or frittata. Or simply heat up the Brussels sprouts and bacon in a skillet and top everything with a fried egg!
More Amazing Brussels sprouts Recipes!
Cuckoo for Brussels sprouts recipes? These Whole30 dishes are perfect for Thanksgiving and holiday dinners:
- Warm Brussels Sprouts Slaw with Asian Citrus Dressing
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
- Brussels Sprouts Chips
- Sheet Pan Pork Chop Supper
Time to make roasted brussels sprouts and bacon!
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 1½ pounds Brussels sprouts
- 2 tablespoons melted ghee, avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil, or fat of choice
- Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 bacon slices, diced (choose sugar-free bacon if on a Whole30)
- 1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
Equipment:
- All my favorite tools are listed here. I own these two air fryers: Breville Smart Oven Air and Phillips Avance Turbo Star Digital.
Method:
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Trim the ends and any old outer leaves from the Brussels sprouts. (Don’t throw away the leaves – toss ‘em in a container and keep ’em in the fridge so you can make some Brussels Sprouts Chips later!)
Cut the sprouts in half…
…and toss them with melted fat of choice, salt, and pepper.
Dump them on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure to keep everything in one layer. Sprinkle the diced bacon over everything…
…and pop the tray in the oven.
The sprouts take about 30 to 35 minutes to roast, so set your timer for 10 minute intervals to regularly rotate and flip the sprouts ’n swine.
Cooking in an air fryer?
Place half the seasoned Brussels sprouts and bacon in your air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes, tossing the contents at the halfway point. The dish is ready when the sprouts and bacon are nicely browned and there are crispy bits. Repeat the same steps with the remaining sprouts and bacon.
Taste the roasted or air fryer Brussels sprouts and adjust the seasoning if needed. Drizzle some aged balsamic vinegar on the finished dish and dig in!
Bonus: The same technique for roasting these Brussels sprouts also works with cauliflower and broccoli!
[Originally posted on November 7, 2010. Updated with new details and photos on November 2, 2020.]
Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2021).
PRINTER-FRIENDLY RECIPE CARD
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon (Whole30, Keto, Air Fryer)
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds Brussels sprouts
- 2 tablespoons melted ghee avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil, or fat of choice
- Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 bacon slices diced (choose sugar-free bacon if on a Whole30)
- 1 tablespoon Aged balsamic vinegar
Instructions
Oven instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F with the rack in the middle.
- Trim the ends and any old outer leaves from the Brussels sprouts. (Don’t throw away the leaves – toss ‘em in a container and keep ’em in the fridge so you can make some Brussels Sprouts Chips later!) Cut the sprouts in half and toss them with melted fat of choice, salt, and pepper.
- Dump the sprouts on a foil- or parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet, making sure to keep everything in one layer.
- Sprinkle the diced bacon over everything and pop the tray in the oven.
- The sprouts take about 30 to 35 minutes to roast, so set your timer for 10 minute intervals to regularly rotate and flip the sprouts ‘n swine. The dish is done when the Brussels sprouts are tender and browned and the bacon bits are crispy.
- Check for seasoning and drizzle some of the aged balsamic vinegar on the finished dish.
Air Fryer instructions
- Trim the ends and any old outer leaves from the Brussels sprouts. (Don’t throw away the leaves – toss ‘em in a container and keep ’em in the fridge so you can make some Brussels Sprouts Chips later!) Cut the sprouts in half and toss them with melted fat of choice, salt, and pepper.
- Place half the seasoned Brussels sprouts and half the bacon in your air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes, tossing the contents at the halfway point. The sprouts and bacon bits should be brown and crispy when done.
- Repeat step 2 with the remaining brussels sprouts and bacon.
- Check for seasoning and drizzle some of the aged balsamic vinegar on the finished dish.
Kim says
This is the first time I’ve ever made brussel sprouts and I’m glad this was the first recipe I’ve tried! My husband, who’s not a brussel sprouts fan, really enjoyed it. Definitely a keeper! Thanks so much for sharing!
Rainbow says
Love this dish! Although I usually bake the bacon whole while I prep the brussel sprouts. Then drain the bacon while the sprouts roast in the same pan. Crumble the bacon on top, maybe sprinkle some pecorino on top and a squirt of sriracha, done! It’s so good I have it as my one dish dinner.
Bernadette Dworianyn says
Delicious and so simple to make! My husband is not a Brussel sprout fan, but went back for seconds.
Lynn says
Excellent recipe. Very fast, easy and tasty.
Lisa says
First attempt at brussel sprouts was a success with this recipe! Even our teen enjoyed……
Ashley Duncan says
This is one of my favorites! When I’m out of bacon, I just use ghee. Also, I toss in the Brussels sprout leaves. They get all crispy and crunchy and delicious!
Thanks for this recipe! It’s gotten me through a Whole30 and is on the menu at least once per week!
Nm says
I choose not to eat pig products. Any suggestions for replacement
Michelle Tam says
Turkey bacon!
Genoveva says
Love this recipe! I’ve made it multiple times now. Sometimes I replace the brussel sprouts with cauliflower and just as amazing! I’ve left out the pepper and I’ve used ghee or coconut oil for the fat. So so so incredible!
Claire says
Can I use frozen Brussels? If so thaw first?
Sohbet says
Thank you!
Stephanie says
These are so tasty! I never liked Brussels sprouts growing up but these are a staple for my family!!
Jennifer Bigler says
Thanks Stephanie!