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!
An overhead shot of a tray of roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon. There is a yellow sign that says it includes air fryer instructions.

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.

A collage of the cooking steps for roasted brussels sprouts and bacon

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.

A white bowl filled with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

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.

An overhead shot of an air fryer basket filled with golden brown Brussels sprouts with bacon.

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:

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:

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…

Cleaned and trimmed Brussels sprouts ready to be cooked.

…and toss them with melted fat of choice, salt, and pepper.

Melted ghee is poured into a bowl containing halved Brussels sprouts

Dump them on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure to keep everything in one layer. Sprinkle the diced bacon over everything…

An overhead shot that shows Roasted Brussels sprouts and bacon in a tray ready for the oven.

…and pop the tray in the oven.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon baking 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.

A closeup shot of Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

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.

An overhead shot of an air fryer basket filled with crispy browned Brussels 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!

A side view of Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon in a white bowl

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)

4.89 from 17 votes
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Servings 6 servings
This Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon recipe is a perfect Paleo side dish for fall! It's perfect for your Thanksgiving table as well!

Ingredients 
 

  • 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
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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.

Video

Notes

Bonus: The same technique for roasting these Brussels sprouts also works with cauliflower and broccoli!

Nutrition

Calories: 156kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Fiber: 4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

About Michelle Tam

Hello! My name is Michelle Tam, and I love to eat. I think about food all the time. It borders on obsession. I’ve always loved the sights and smells of the kitchen. My mother was (and is) an excellent cook, and as a kid, I was her little shadow as she prepared supper each night. From her, I gained a deep, abiding love for magically transforming pantry items into mouth-watering family meals.

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