Ingredients
Scale
For the Brussels Sprouts:
- 1½ lbs fresh brussels sprouts (about 18-20 small-medium sprouts)
- 12-18 slices regular-cut bacon (not thick-cut)
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: pinch of salt (bacon provides saltiness)
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For Serving (Optional):
- Balsamic glaze for drizzling
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Maple syrup for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
- Prepare Brussels Sprouts: Trim the stem end of each brussels sprout and remove any loose or yellowed outer leaves. Rinse sprouts and pat completely dry with paper towels—moisture prevents crisping.
- Season Sprouts: In a large bowl, toss brussels sprouts with olive oil, black pepper, and garlic powder if using. Mix until evenly coated.
- Wrap with Bacon: Cut bacon slices in half if needed to fit sprout size. Wrap one piece of bacon around each brussels sprout, starting at one end and wrapping in a spiral pattern to cover most of the sprout. Secure with a toothpick through the center, piercing both bacon and sprout.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place wrapped brussels sprouts on the prepared baking sheet with the bacon seam-side down (this helps bacon stay in place). Space them about 1 inch apart for even cooking and crisping.
- Roast: Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through (at about 15 minutes), until bacon is crispy and golden and brussels sprouts are tender when pierced with a fork. The bacon should be fully cooked and crispy.
- Check Doneness: Brussels sprouts should be tender and caramelized, and bacon should be crispy. If bacon isn’t crispy enough, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let rest for 3-5 minutes (this allows bacon to crisp further as it cools slightly). Remove toothpicks carefully before serving, or leave them in for easier handling. Drizzle with balsamic glaze or brush with maple syrup if desired. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Use small to medium brussels sprouts for best results—large sprouts take longer to cook than bacon.
- Pat sprouts completely dry before wrapping to ensure crispy bacon.
- Regular-cut bacon works better than thick-cut for wrapping and crisping.
- Flip halfway through roasting for even crisping on all sides.
- If bacon browns too quickly, reduce oven to 375°F and cook longer.
- Remove toothpicks before serving, or warn guests if leaving them in.
- Can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated until ready to roast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 wrapped sprouts
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 385mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 24mg