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Cozy Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

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These Cozy Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon are a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and smoky, with crispy caramelized edges and tender centers. A simple yet unforgettable side dish that turns any meal into a cozy occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved lengthwise
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped into ½-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (Grade A dark amber preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Fresh thyme leaves for garnish (optional)
  • Balsamic glaze for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Position the oven rack in the lower third of the oven. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
  2. Rinse the Brussels sprouts under cold water and pat them completely dry. Trim off the tough stem ends and remove any yellow or damaged outer leaves. Cut each sprout in half lengthwise through the stem. If any sprouts are larger than a golf ball, cut them into quarters.
  3. In a cold skillet, add the chopped bacon and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy and the fat has rendered, about 6-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat and let it cool slightly.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, reserved bacon fat, salt, and pepper to make the maple glaze.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine the halved Brussels sprouts with about half of the maple glaze. Toss well to coat every cut surface.
  6. Arrange the sprouts in a single layer on the prepared sheet pan, cut-side down. Do not overcrowd; use two pans if necessary.
  7. Roast for 15 minutes without disturbing.
  8. Remove the pan from the oven. Use tongs to flip each sprout over so the cut side is facing up. Drizzle the remaining maple glaze over the sprouts and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle the cooked bacon pieces evenly over the top.
  9. Return the pan to the oven and roast for another 10-15 minutes, until the sprouts are tender when pierced with a fork and the edges are deeply caramelized and crispy.
  10. Remove from the oven and let rest on the pan for 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, scrape up any caramelized bits from the pan, and garnish with fresh thyme leaves if using. Finish with a final crack of black pepper and a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt if desired.

Notes

For best results, dry the sprouts thoroughly before roasting to ensure caramelization. The two-stage glazing method prevents the maple syrup from burning. Use the lower oven rack for deep caramelization. Let the sprouts rest for 2-3 minutes after roasting to allow the glaze to set.

Nutrition

Keywords: maple roasted Brussels sprouts, Brussels sprouts with bacon, roasted Brussels sprouts, maple bacon Brussels sprouts, easy side dish, holiday side dish, cozy recipe

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/cozy-maple-roasted-brussels-sprouts-with-bacon/