These bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts are brushed with a maple syrup glaze for a salty, sweet bite. Serve them for an addicting game-day bite or offer them as a side dish with a holiday meal. They’re versatile, easy to make and delicious!
It seems like every year at this time I get on here and rant about my hatred of football as the season heats up. Year one, I made edamame dip and you got the first glimpse into my intense dislike of the sport. Year three, I made this BBQ black bean tortilla pizza and bitched about the term “man food” that seems to go hand in hand with football. Year five, included this recipe for buffalo hummus chicken waffle bites. I had escaped to Mexico that year during the Super Bowl, but still somehow found myself at a swim-up bar in Cabo with American football playing in the background.
I think you get the point though by now: I hate football and everything about it. I always will and I think the Super Bowl is the dumbest sporting event of all time. So, I’m not going to use an entire post this year to wax poetically about my distaste (the previous two paragraphs will suffice).
Instead, let’s discuss these bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts because they’re way more deserving of the attention than a bunch of padded morons tackling each other on a field.
Oops, there I go again.
One thing I don’t mind about football watching, however, is the food and if I’m going to be forced to listen to those nerve grating announcers and watch the cameras pan to whichever celebrity is in attendance (eye roll) at every break, there better be something worth eating in front of me. Even better if it’s a whole spread.
When it comes to spreads for a gathering, I’m never gonna shoot down store bought dips and easy things like cut up veggies, crackers and chips, but I do like to have one or two things homemade in the mix too.
Bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts are that perfect addition.
First of all, they’re a vegetable, right? So you can totally justify them being on this veg heavy spread. Secondly, they have bacon so they instantly become football watching appropriate. I guess you could say the same for bacon wrapped asparagus or bacon wrapped steak bites too. And third, if you’re not aimlessly shoving food into your mouth on game day like most of us do and you actually care about the flavors you’re choosing to spend your calories on, the slightly sweet maple glaze on these bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts makes them something not only worthwhile of ingesting but interesting at the same time. The glaze is actually very similar to what’s used on these on the stalk roasted Brussels sprouts which are another totally fun way to enjoy the vegetable.
I really love these smashed sweet potato guacamole bites and these gluten-free pigs in a blanket for a game day appetizers too!
Why You’ll Love Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
- Each bite is the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
- They’re super versatile – add them to a spread like this or enjoy them as a side dish for any meal.
- Not counting salt and pepper, you only need three ingredients.
- They’re simple enough for a football game and fancy enough for a holiday appetizer or meal.
- This recipe transforms humble Brussels sprouts into delicious little bites everyone will love.
What You’ll Need
The recipe couldn’t be more simple. Here’s everything you need:
- Brussels sprouts: Look for bright green sprouts with firm leaves and no discoloration. We’ll be halving them to create the perfect size for wrapping and roasting.
- Thick-cut bacon: The thicker cut holds up better while roasting. Each slice will be cut in half lengthwise to get more mileage out of the package of bacon.
- Maple syrup: This is the secret weapon in these bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts. The maple glaze adds a touch of sweetness and balances the salty bacon.
- Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings is all that’s needed. The bacon and maple syrup bring plenty of flavor on their own.
How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
The full recipe can be found at the bottom of this post in the recipe card for exact amounts and detailed instructions.
Prepare the Brussels Sprouts
Start by trimming the stems and peeling off any wilted leaves. Then, cut the sprouts in half lengthwise to make sure they cook evenly and are easy to wrap with the bacon.
Wrap the Bacon
Take a bacon slice that’s been cut in half lengthwise and wrap it around a halved Brussels sprout, so that the ends meet on the flat side. Secure with a toothpick if needed and place seam side down on a rimmed baking sheet.
Add Maple Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Lightly brush this mixture onto the bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts before roasting.
Bake to Perfection
Roast the sprouts on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in a preheated oven at 400°F for 25–30 minutes. The bacon should be crispy and golden before removing from the oven.
Recipe Variations
- Honey: Swap maple syrup for honey if that’s what you have on hand.
- Brown sugar glaze: Sprinkle a little brown sugar over the bacon for extra caramelization.
- Mustard: Add a dollop of Dijon mustard to the maple glaze for a tangy twist. The flavors will be similar to this maple mustard sheet pan chicken that I love so much this time of year too.
- Bacon alternatives: Use turkey bacon slices as a lighter option.
My Pro Tips
Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts Tips
- Use a toothpick to secure the bacon if it doesn’t stick well on its own.
- Line the rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Always place the seam side of the bacon down to prevent it from unraveling while baking.
- Check the sprouts halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- Let the sprouts cool slightly before serving.
Make Ahead Prep
If you’re preparing for a party or making these for a holiday you can assemble them ahead of time and keep them stored on the sheet pan in the refrigerator a day in advance.
Other Small Bites To Try
If you’re looking for more party worthy small bites these roasted grape sweet potato crostini are incredibly elegant looking with a taste to match. I really love these smashed sweet potato guacamole bites too and gluten-free pigs in a blanket are always a great choice for any game day gathering.
Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved
- 8 ounces thick cut bacon, cut in half
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Lay bacon strip flat and wrap around a halved brussels sprout so that the ends meet on the flat side. Place brussels sprout on a baking sheet seam side down. Repeat with all the brussels sprouts.
- Lightly brush the brussels sprouts with the maple syrup.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes in pre-heated oven until bacon is crispy.
- Serve while hot.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
I made these and the only thing I added was when I cleaned and removed stems to brussel sprouts, after I cleaned and dried them, I sprinkled them with garlic powder before I wrapped them in bacon. Even my son-in-lae who doesn’t eat much vegetables loved them as well as my daughter and my husband. I will not use another recipe. Thank you so much for posting this recipe.
Recipes look great, not typical. please keep sending.
nicely different appetizer recipe, whether for football (who cares?) or anything else, thank you!
I want to dig into this right now!!
These would make for great game day appetizers!
What a gorgeous spread! Love those maple bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts!
I’ve never like brussels sprouts but I figure that anything wrapped in bacon will go down well – this’ll make the to-do list, for sure. Thanks!