Crispy Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

5 from 7 votes

Easy brussels sprouts seasoned with maple syrup and bacon.

Prep Time6

Cook Time25

Total Time31

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: servings

Place a paper towel on a microwave safe plate. Place the bacon strips on the paper towel and then cover in another paper towel.
Heat in the microwave for 4-5 minutes. Once the bacon cools, cut the strips into inch pieces and put aside.
Put some olive oil into a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the brussels sprouts into the sauté pan, along with 2 Tablespoons of maple syrup, salt, pepper and 2 Tablespoons of water.
Once the liquid starts to boil (about 1 minute), reduce the heat to medium.
Let the brussels sprouts cook, stirring every now and again, until the liquid thickens and evaporates (the sauce should be caramel-like in substance), for about 7 minutes.
Add the bacon and 4 Tablespoons of water and let everything cook, stirring every so often, until the liquid evaporates again, about 7 minutes.
Add another 4 Tablespoons of water and let everything cook until the liquid evaporates again. HOWEVER, this time don't stir the brussels sprouts at all. This should take about 5 minutes.
Mix and then cook for a few minutes more without mixing to let them crisp. They will be done once you can stab them with a knife and the knife easily goes through it.

Be patient! You may be tempted to mix them often but let them sit without touching them at the beginning

Once the maple syrup starts to caramelize, keep a close watch on the Brussels sprouts because you don't want things to burn.

Cooking time depends on the size of the Brussels sprouts: the smaller they are the faster they cook and vice versa.