Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts + Video
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Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts are sure to steal the show for the best holiday appetizers! Smoky, savory, and a little bit sweet (thanks to some maple syrup!), Brussel sprouts that are bacon wrapped may be one of the easiest finger food recipes out there!
Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts
If you’re searching for a new finger food appetizer to serve at your next party, then look no further than Brussel sprouts wrapped in bacon.
Now, I can probably guess what you’re thinking:
Brussels sprouts? Really? The vegetable that so many of us weaved and dodged as a kid — you want us to serve it at a party? A party where everyone is trying to have fun?
Yes, that is the vegetable, and I am 100% endorsing you to feed it to all your friends. And, better yet, I am certain that it will be the best finger food of the night!
We also have an Asian-inspired sweet chili Brussel sprouts recipe that is mind-blowing, as well as these perfectly crispy, sweet & tangy honey balsamic sprouts just like the ones from Macaroni Grill!
Recipe Video
To see us make Brussel sprouts wrapped with bacon from start to finish, watch the video in this post!
Everything tastes better wrapped in bacon, whether it’s chicken bites, jalapeno poppers, or even meatloaf!
The bonus of making bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts in the oven is that you still get a big dose of healthy green veggies in a scrumptious morsel. Win win!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Brussel Sprouts – Look for firm and vibrant green sprouts, preferably all of a similar size for even cooking.
Depending on the kind you get, you may need to trim the stems and remove some of the outer leaves. - Maple Syrup – The real stuff only, please. Honey is the best substitute but will create a different flavor.
- Bacon – I like to get maple bacon for extra maple flavor, but any variety will work! Pepper-crusted strips would add another layer of smoky flavor with a touch of heat as well.
Thinner slices are easier to wrap around the sprouts and cook faster than extra thick slices.
Tips and Tricks to Make Brussel Sprouts Wrapped With Bacon
- Clean Brussels sprouts before cooking.
After trimming and removing any damaged outer leaves, add all of the sprouts to a strainer and rinse well with cool water. Then, pat them dry thoroughly before continuing with the recipe.
You can trim and wash sprouts 1-2 days before cooking — just keep them in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Check the bacon fat when slicing the strips.
If needed, trim away any excess to keep the width of the bacon to about 1 inch.
- Brush the bacon with maple syrup first.
Since it goes on the inside of each strip, it will act as a sort of glue to keep the Brussel sprouts bacon wrapped once cooked.
You also won’t have to worry about it dripping off or burning in the oven!
- Use toothpicks to keep Brussel sprouts wrapped in bacon.
Lay one end of the bacon strip over the other and press the toothpick through the top, into the center of the sprout. This way, they won’t come unraveled in the oven.
You can remove the toothpicks from bacon wrapped Brussel sprouts before serving if you’d like — everything will be stuck together by that point — but I usually leave them so guests can grab and go throughout the party!
Prep Ahead
- Trim sprouts
- Line baking sheet with foil
- Preheat oven to 400°F
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Baking Sheet lined with Aluminum Foil
- Toothpicks for securing the bacon around the sprouts, and for easier eating during the party!
- Basting Brush – I like this one over the silicone ones.
Serving Suggestions
Bacon wrapped Brussel sprouts work the sweet and savory angle, and because of that, I recommend using a dipping sauce that does the same.
Try any (or many!) of the following and see which one is gone first.
- BBQ sauce
- Honey mustard
- Any flavor of ranch dressing (classic, spicy, buttermilk, etc.)
- Maple syrup
- Balsamic reduction
- Sweet chili sauce
- Garlic aioli
- Sweet and sour sauce
- Tzatziki
Storing and Reheating Brussel Sprouts Wrapped in Bacon
This appetizer has the best texture when freshly baked, but you can certainly refrigerate any leftovers for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
Reheat bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts in the air fryer or oven to get them nice and crispy again!
Brussel Sprouts Bacon Wrapped FAQ
Yes! But this is only necessary for the extra super jumbo ones. As long as they are about the size of a ping pong ball or smaller, you can leave them whole.
No, it will crisp up perfectly along with the sprouts. The strips are also much easier to bend and wrap around the sprouts when they are raw.
Yes, with a few adjustments. Arrange sprouts in a grill pan if using toothpicks, otherwise it’s better to slide them onto skewers.
Either way, you’ll want to soak wooden toothpicks and skewers in water for at least 30 minutes first so they don’t catch fire.
You may also want to parboil or lightly steam the sprouts first to ensure they cook through by the time the bacon is crispy.
Grill Brussel sprouts wrapped with bacon for 5 minutes at 350°F, then flip and grill for another 4-5 minutes.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy Holiday Appetizers
Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts + Video
Ingredients
- 20 Brussels sprouts, trimmed
- 10 slices maple bacon, each slice cut in half
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 pinch salt, or more, to taste
- 1 pinch black pepper, or more, to taste
- dipping sauces of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, then set aside.
- On a flat work surface, lay out halved bacon slices. Using a pastry brush, generously brush each slice with maple syrup.
- Place a Brussels spout in the center a slice of bacon, then lift up the sides of the bacon to wrap it around the sprout. Use a toothpick to secure the two ends to the sprout. Transfer prepared bacon wrapped Brussels sprout to prepared baking sheet. Repeat this step until all sprouts have been wrapped
- Bake bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts for 30-40 minutes or until bacon is crisp and the sprouts are tender.
- Let bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts rest for 5 minutes, then transfer to a serving plate. Serve with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Video
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published February 2018. Updated and republished September 2024
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They look delicious, could I halve the sprouts just to make eating a little easier or would they burn before bacon is done? Plan to try tonight with Sunday supper!
yes, you can halve them.
These are perfect! Even the ones that don’t like brussels loved them!