Crispy air-fried Brussels sprouts seasoned with balsamic vinegar and bacon make a crave-worthy side dish! This Ninja air fryer recipe makes a gluten-free, keto-friendly side dish you'll want to make again and again!
This Air Fryer Balsamic Brussels Sprouts recipe may soon become your new favourite way to eat sprouts. I know it's definitely mine.
Crispy on the outside, yet tender inside, these Brussels sprouts with bacon cook quickly in an air fryer. You'll end up with perfectly cooked sprouts using very little oil. This recipe makes a gluten-free, keto-friendly side dish you'll want to make on repeat!
🛒 Ingredients
Brussels sprouts: you'll need up to a pound, but you can use less if that's all you need. One pound of Brussels sprouts measures about 4 cups. You can decide how many portions this would make, depending on what other vegetables you're serving or your family members' appetites.
oil: a teaspoon is plenty. I use avocado oil or olive oil in this recipe.
balsamic vinegar: a teaspoon is enough here, too.
bacon: two slices, or three if you love it! There are lots of options for nitrate-free, hormone-free bacon available.
salt and pepper
🔪 Instructions
- Wash and trim the Brussels sprouts first. Trim the tough stem end and remove any damaged leaves. Pat them dry.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. for 3 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, toss the sprouts with oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Cut bacon slices into one-inch pieces.
- Add the sprouts to the air fryer basket and top with the bacon pieces.
- Air fry for 16 - 18 minutes, shaking the basket at least once partway through the cooking time.
- Check for doneness with a fork and add a minute or two more frying time, if needed.
👍🏼 Helpful Tips
When selecting sprouts, try to choose sprouts the same size so they'll cook at the same rate.
If the sprouts you choose are particularly large, you may want to cut them into quarters instead of in half.
Don't crowd the basket too much. The air needs to circulate around the food to cook it properly. You may want to cook the sprouts in two batches, depending on their size.
The sprouts I used in this photo were small, so the bacon was cooked and crispy once the sprouts were done. If you find your bacon is not as crisp as you like, remove the sprouts to a serving dish to keep warm and cook the bacon for another minute or two.
Frequently asked questions
I experimented with using different temperatures while testing this recipe. I found that 380°F. was the ideal temperature. When I used a hotter temperature, they became too crisp on the outside and were not fully cooked through. Using a lower temperature resulted in sprouts that were not as crisp as I like them.
I use a Ninja air fryer (affiliate link). As with any air fryer recipe, cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and on the size of the Brussels sprouts.
While leftover sprouts are not as good as freshly cooked, you can reheat them in your air fryer at 350°F. for 8 - 10 minutes or until heated through.
🔁 Possible Variations
After removing from the air fryer to a serving dish, sprinkle with a couple of tablespoons of finely grated Parmesan cheese if you'd like.
Use pre-cooked crumbled bacon bits instead of cooking the bacon with the sprouts.
Brussels sprouts make a healthy side dish
Brussels sprouts are low in calories but high in fiber, mineral, and vitamins, especially Vitamin C which is important for iron absorption. They are a cruciferous veggie with impressive antioxidant content. Discover how they could help improve your diet in this article 10 Ways Brussels Sprouts Benefit Your Health.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
These Air Fryer Balsamic Brussels Sprouts will make a delicious side dish with many of your favourite meals. Try them with any of the following:
Air Fryer Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ to 1 lb Brussels sprouts
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 slices bacon, nitrate-free
- 1 pinch salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Wash and trim the Brussels sprouts first. Trim the tough stem end and remove any damaged leaves. Pat them dry.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. for 3 minutes
- In a medium bowl, toss with oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Cut bacon slices into one-inch pieces. Add the sprouts to the air fryer basket and top with the bacon pieces.
- Air fry for 16 - 18 minutes, shaking the basket at least once partway through the cooking time.
- Check for doneness with a fork and add a minute or two more frying time, if needed.
Notes
Nutrition
This is the air fryer I use. I like it because it's not too big to store in my kitchen, it works well, and it's incredibly easy to clean. (affiliate link)
*****If you love this recipe, please rate it 5 stars below and leave a comment to let everyone know what you thought about it.
Elise says
As soon as I saw this recipe, I knew it would be something we liked--and it was! So much flavour and such a great way to cook Brussels sprouts.