Air Fryer Keto Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Based on all the horror stories I’ve heard, I’m pretty happy that I never had brussels sprouts until I was old enough to make them myself. Apparently, boiling them used to be in fashion, and I can’t imagine the result of that is very appetizing. The first time I tried keto brussels sprouts, I roasted them in the oven. Thankfully, they turned out tender in the middle, crisp on the outside, and surprisingly flavorful! The only problem? The roasting time!
Making these keto Brussel sprouts in the air fryer instead of the oven cuts the cooking time by more than half. That makes them perfect for pairing with quicker cooking proteins like a bunless burger or grassfed steak. The bacon adds a little extra prep time, but I definitely think it’s worth it for the extra flavor and crunch. You can skip it if you want; just toss the sprouts with olive oil instead of the reserved bacon fat and follow the rest of the recipe as directed.
In addition to the bacon, these keto Brussels sprouts are seasoned simply with salt, pepper, garlic powder, red pepper, and a splash of balsamic vinegar. It’s enough to make the sprouts shine without overpowering them. They should only take 10 to 12 minutes in most air fryers. I recommend giving them a quick toss about halfway through to make sure they cook and brown evenly. Once they are cooked to your liking, top with a quick sprinkling of fresh parmesan and serve!
These air fried keto Brussels sprouts with bacon and parmesan make a great side dish for a holiday meal but are still quick and easy enough for a standard weekday dinner.
Looking for more keto veggie side dishes? You might also like:
- Keto Roasted Broccoli w/ Almonds and Parmesan
- Air Fryer Keto Zucchini Fries
- Keto Loaded Zucchini Skins
- Easy Keto Kale Salad w/ Bacon Vinaigrette
- Jalapeno Cheddar Keto Cauliflower Tots
Air Fryer Keto Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts trimmed and halved
- 4 slices bacon
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan
Instructions
- Cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, then set aside to cool. Reserve fat (about 1.5T).
- Add Brussels sprouts, reserved bacon fat, and balsamic vinegar to a large bowl and toss to coat. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper.
- Transfer seasoned sprouts to air fryer, and cook at 400F for 6 minutes. In the meantime, coarsely chop bacon.
- Add chopped bacon to Brussels sprouts and gently toss to combine. Air fry for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until desired tenderness.
- Transfer keto Brussels sprouts to serving dish, and top with parmesan. Serve immediately, with an additional drizzle of balsamic vinegar if desired.
Notes
- Storage: Store refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: For optimal results, reheat in the air fryer to maintain crispness. A microwave works too, but you'll lose the crisp edges.
- To make this keto Brussels sprouts recipe in the oven, preheat oven to 425F and prepare a baking sheet by lining with parchment paper. Prep sprouts as directed, then bake for 25-30 minutes. Add the bacon about 15 minutes into the bake time.
Nutrition
