How to make Brussels sprouts more tender?

Before trimming, soak Brussels sprouts in water for 20 minutes to hydrate. Before cooking, coat them well in bacon fat, oil, or butter so it can get into the folds of the leaves. This will help keep them tender. If there's not enough oil, they can easily dehydrate while cooking.

How to make Brussels sprouts less bitter?

Prior to trimming, soak Brussels sprouts in a bowl of cold salted water for 20 minutes. Soaking is an easy way to counter bitterness (and the veggies will be more tender when cooked). Drain off the water. Pat them dry between lint-free towels. After cooking, add a pinch of kosher salt.

How to make fatty bacon leaner?

With kitchen shears, trim off the fatty ends of the bacon. If desired, continue slicing along side the fatty side of each piece, removing and discarding unwanted portions. You now have much leaner bacon.

How much dried rosemary equal 1 teaspoon of fresh?

Fresh herbs have a higher water content than dried herbs which makes them less potent. So when swapping dried for fresh we must use a lot less. Use 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary for every 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary called for in the recipe.

Can I cook frozen Brussels sprouts in the air fryer?

Yes. It's very convenient. There's no need to defrost or rinse the veggies. They're already trimmed and ready to go. But you will need to increase the cook time, possibly 10 to 15 minutes, depending on their size. It's of note that frozen Brussels sprouts cook up softer than fresh.

Can air fryer Brussels sprouts with bacon be made in advance?

It's not recommended. The veggies and bacon will lose their crispness. It's best to enjoy this dish right after cooking. Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven. Do not rewarm in the microwave or the texture will be squishy.

Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Name: Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 slices (lean) thick-cut bacon; 1 pound Brussels sprouts, stems trimmed and veggies halved; 2 tablespoons butter, melted (plus more for drizzling); 2 cloves garlic, grated; 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper; 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Description

Brussel sprouts with bacon are deeply savory and delicious. We cook them in the air fryer for consistent results every time. Enjoy this classic side dish all year round. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

Units Scale

4 slices (lean) thick-cut bacon
1 pound Brussels sprouts, stems trimmed and veggies halved
2 tablespoons butter, melted (plus more for drizzling)
2 cloves garlic, grated
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

RECIPE PREP (OPTIONAL) : Before trimming, soak Brussels sprouts in a bowl of cold salted water for 20 minutes. Drain off water. Pat completely dry between lint-free towels. We do a salt-water soak to reduce bitterness and hydrate the veggies so they’ll cook up tender.

Lay bacon slices in a single flat layer inside the air fryer basket, without crowding. Cook at 375ºF for 8 to 10 minutes, or until crisp. Remove bacon to a cutting board. Chop it into bite-sized pieces. Set it aside until ready to use. If needed, discard excess grease from the air fryer, but don’t clean the basket.
In a large bowl, toss together the Brussels sprouts, melted butter, grated garlic, minced rosemary, salt and pepper. Stir until veggies are evenly coated with the garlic-butter mixture. Transfer the Brussels sprouts to the air fryer. Again, do not overcrowd the basket. If needed, cook the veggies in batches.
Cook at 400ºF for 5 minutes. Stir the veggies, or shake the basket. [For even crispier bacon, add cooked bacon pieces back into the basket now.] Cook 2 to 5 minutes more, or until the veggies are cooked through and crisp on the outside.
Transfer Brussels sprouts to a serving bowl. If desired, drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons melted butter over the veggies (optional). Add crispy bacon and parmesan cheese to the bowl. Toss to combine. Serve with flaky salt on the side. Enjoy immediately.

Equipment

Air Fryer

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Notes

Keep in mind: Each air fryer cooks differently depending on the brand, and the size and shape of the basket. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Can I make this dish in advance? It’s not recommended. The texture will be compromised. The veggies and bacon will not stay crisp. But if you need to make this in advance, transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Rewarm in the air fryer or oven. Do not reheat in the microwave or the texture will be squishy.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American