Quick Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Crispy Air-Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Parmesan are a game-changer! Tossed with bacon, Parmesan, and a hint of garlic, this side dish is easy, quick and delicious.
Getting kids to eat their vegetables is one of parenthood’s great negotiations, but with this one, they actually ask for it. Crispy Brussels sprouts tossed with smoky bacon bits and a shower of Parmesan, air-fried in under 20 minutes. The bacon does the heavy lifting, and the air fryer does the rest. Plus, those Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon are made in no time at all! They’re perfect for a quick side dish with any protein or for mixing with gnocchi on a busy weeknight dinner.
Fun facts about Brussels Sprouts
- Brussels sprouts contain more vitamin C per serving than oranges, making them one of the most underrated immune boosters on your plate.
- They are part of the same family as cabbage, kale, broccoli and cauliflower, the Brassica family, which explains why they all share that distinctive flavour.
- The smaller the sprout, the sweeter the taste. Bigger ones tend to be more bitter, so picking small to medium ones makes a real difference.
- Roasting and air frying actually reduce their bitterness by breaking down the compounds that cause it, which is why oven- and air-fried Brussels sprouts convert even the biggest skeptics.
- They have been grown in Belgium since the 13th century, which is how they got their name, though they are now one of the most popular vegetables in the UK and North America.
Soaking
At the beginning, you’ll need to cut off the ends of each Brussels sprout’s stems and first leaves, then add them directly to a bowl of water to clean them up and hydrate them. Air fryers tend to dry out food, so this way you’ll still get a tender core and a crispy outer layer.
Air Fryer
Here are a few tricks to nail it with your air fryer:
- Shake the basket of your air fryer at least once while it is cooking to achieve a nice finish and ensure everything cooks evenly.
- Don’t overfill the air fryer; the food won’t cook properly.
- Preheat the air fryer to the right temperature before adding the food. This is exactly like cooking in an oven, but it takes only 2 minutes with an air fryer.
- Always add a touch of oil to give a nice finish.
The Parmesan Touch
This little extra Parmesan is a great way to salt and add an irresistible umami touch to your Brussels sprouts. The cheese will add extra crunch to the veggies when cooked! It’s a great addition to the dish. Adding extra parmesan to the table is an excellent idea for those who like a little more on top.
Little One’s Version
If the baby is young, you can blend some air-fried Brussels sprouts with precooked potatoes so they can enjoy their first taste.
Other Air-Fried Side Dishes
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Ingredients
- 700 g Brussels sprouts
- 4 slices bacon cut into fine pieces
- 2 tbsp parmesan grated
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Clean the Brussels sprouts by cutting the end of each stem and discarding the first leaves. Add to a bowl of cold water and let it soak for 5 minutes.
- Discard the water, add the bacon bits, parmesan, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper and mix.
- Add to the pre-heated air fryer at 200°C (400F) for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking it midway.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying a full recipe to any social media is prohibited.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share your thoughts on it! Leave a comment or share a picture and tag me @littlenomadsrecipes on Instagram.
This was so yummy! I love the flavor of the Brussels sprouts with the bacon and the parmesan cheese. So good!
It’s a winning combo, I agree!
Loved these so much! They cooked really evenly and the bacon was, of course, helpful in getting my kids to try these. Definitely adding to the rotation!
Yes, bacon is always helping make the kids try new flavours!
I made these Crispy Air-Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Parmesan, and wow—what a game-changer! The bacon adds the perfect crunch, the Parmesan melts into savory goodness, and that hint of garlic ties it all together. So easy, so delicious—definitely turning Brussels sprouts skeptics into fans with this one!
I couldn’t have said it better!
These Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon are a total game-changer! Crispy, savory, and ready in no time – they’re the perfect side dish. My family couldn’t get enough!
So easy to make them in the Air fryer isn’t it?
Recipe was simple to follow, what a great way to make brussels Sprouts!
I like to experiment… so I made a honey, siracha, soy sauce, balsamic glaze and mixed it in just for the last 2 minutes of cook time…. It was pretty dang good yall! 🙂
Sounds delicious too!