My crispy air fryer brussels sprouts with bacon, maple syrup and sriracha. Ready in 20 minutes and even converts people who think they hate sprouts.
Category
Lunch
Servings
4
Prep time
5 minutes
Cook time
15 minutes
If you have kids or a partner who swears they hate brussels sprouts, this is the recipe I reach for. The air fryer gets them properly caramelised and crispy on the outside while keeping a bit of bite in the centre. Add in some diced bacon and a maple, apple cider vinegar and sriracha dressing and they disappear off the plate faster than pretty much anything else I make. It’s one of those sides that genuinely surprises people.
This comes together in about 20 minutes and works alongside almost anything. I serve it with roasted chicken, pork, or even just a fried egg on top for a quick lunch. The dressing does double duty as both a marinade going in and a sauce drizzled over at the end. Make sure you pour any dressing that drips through the air fryer basket back over the sprouts before serving. That concentrated liquid is full of flavour and you don’t want to waste a drop of it.
Ingredient Notes
Brussels sprouts: Fresh is always best here. Look for firm, compact sprouts that are similar in size so they cook evenly. Trim the bases and keep them whole. Smaller, tighter sprouts will crisp up better in the air fryer and hold their shape through both rounds of cooking.
Maple syrup: It adds sweetness and drives caramelisation in the air fryer. I use pure maple syrup rather than maple-flavoured syrup, which tends to be much sweeter and doesn’t have the same depth of flavour. Dark amber maple syrup works best here as it has a more pronounced, slightly smoky sweetness that stands up to the sriracha.
Apple cider vinegar: The acidity balances the sweetness of the maple and cuts through the richness of the bacon. Don’t skip it. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar will work just use a smaller amoutn, though I’d avoid balsamic as it will make the dressing too sweet.
Equipment
- Chopping board
- Chef’s knife
- Air fryer
- Large mixing bowl
- Small jug or bowl (for the dressing)
- Whisk or fork
- Tongs
Ingredients
-
500g brussels sprouts
- 3 rashes bacon, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 40ml (2 tbsp) maple syrup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sriracha
-
sea salt
- flat leaf parsley
Directions
Preheat an air fryer to 200°C (390°F).
Trim the bases of the brussels sprouts and place in a large bowl with the bacon.
- Whisk the oil, maple syrup, vinegar and sriracha in a jug. Toss half the dressing and a small pinch of salt through the brussel sprouts until well coated, then transfer to the air fryer basket with the bacon sitting on top.
Cook for 9 minutes, then remove and toss through the remaining dressing. Return to the air fryer and cook for a further 7 minutes, until caramelised and starting to crisp.
- Transfer onto a tray and make sure you get all the bacon and any remaining dressing.
- Lightly toss through the flat leaf parsley and add to a plate.
Recipe video
Recipe notes
Chef Tips
Don’t overcrowd the basket
The sprouts need direct heat and good airflow to caramelise properly. Spread them in a single layer in the basket with the bacon on top. If you’re scaling the recipe up, cook in two batches rather than cramming everything in at once. A crowded basket will steam the sprouts instead of crisping them.
Don’t discard the dripped dressing
As the sprouts cook, some of the dressing drips through the air fryer basket and collects below. Pour this back over the sprouts when plating. It concentrates during cooking and picks up a caramelised depth that you absolutely want on the finished dish.
Storage
Store cooked brussels sprouts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 3 to 4 minutes to bring back some of the crispiness. They won’t be quite as crispy on day two but the flavour is still very good.
FAQs
Can I make this vegetarian? Yes. Just leave out the bacon. The sprouts hold up well without it and the dressing has enough flavour to carry the dish on its own. You could add some toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts for texture if you want something to replace the bacon.
Can I adjust the spice level? Yes. The sriracha adds a gentle kick rather than full heat. Reduce or omit it entirely if you prefer, or swap it for a mild mustard for a different but equally good flavour profile.
Can I cook these in the oven instead of an air fryer? Yes. Spread the dressed sprouts on a lined baking tray and roast at 220°C (425°F) for 20 to 25 minutes, turning halfway. You won’t get quite the same crispiness as the air fryer but the caramelisation and flavour will still be excellent.
