A tasty side dish that will please everyone! These candied Brussels sprouts are bacon-free and are even a hit with kids! The maple Brussels sprouts contain only 5 ingredients, are simple to make, and come out indulgent, slightly crispy, and far more like candy than a cruciferous vegetable. The perfect addition to your dinner table.
Stop putting yourself through the torture of boiled brussels sprouts and ENJOY these candied ones instead!
This candied Brussels sprouts recipe is a serious game changer of crispy perfection.
Use them as a weeknight side dish or on the table for bigger meals like convection oven Turkey during times of the year like Easter and Thanksgiving. They'll become a staple in no time.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I love them because:
- makes kids love Brussela sprouts
- They're simple to make (only five ingredients)
- They pair well with anything (like slow cooker BBQ chicken thighs)
- They're crispy and sweet, almost indulgent
- It's another cruciferous veggie we're taking in
- Gluten-free and vegan
Ingredients You'll Need
These brussel sprouts contain minimal ingredients (and no bacon!) which makes them an easy, healthy side dish to whip up!
Brussels Sprouts: you'll want about 40 sprouts and make sure you de-stem and quarter them for maximum crispiness.
Nuts: any nut will work but I find that pecans give the dish the best flavor.
Maple syrup: the sugar in the maple syrup helps candy the Brussels sprouts while keeping this dish vegan.
Olive oil: you can use avocado oil instead as it has a higher heat point but olive oil is the staple!
Sea salt: All you need is a pinch but it makes all the difference!
How To Make Them
- Quarter the Brussels sprouts and measure the ingredients
- Toss the Brussels sprouts in the maple syrup and chopped nuts
- Bake at 350F for roughly 30 minutes (you want them crispy).
- Serve.
Step By Step Photos
How To Make The Vegan Brussels Sprouts Crispy
This is a trick that actually took me a bit to figure out. Being that part of the reason people don't like Brussels sprouts is the thick texture that needed to be fixed- flavor aside.
To have the candied Brussels sprouts crisp up in the oven, you need to first de-stem them. To do this, simply cut the bottom off the Brussels sprouts (when raw) but take more than you need to.
Some of the leaves should fall off and that's exactly what you want!
Then, slice them in half and into quarters. You want them small.
Finally, when they're in the bowl, toss them a bit with your hands. The more leaves that fall off and the smaller the actual sprouts, the crispier the maple-roasted Brussels sprouts will come out.
Choice Of Nuts
The majority of candied Brussels Sprouts opt for bacon to pair with them. Though I love bacon, it just didn't work for me flavor-wise. Likewise, I wanted some crunch.
Adding in some nuts gives the sprouts some texture (and keeps them vegan). As well as a dose of healthy fats too.
Plus, you end up with candied nuts- yum!
You can use any nut you want to but our favorite is pecans. Candied pecans are always a hit around the Holidays.
Moreover, they turn this Candied Brussels Sprouts dish from simple to elegant.
How To Use The Maple Roast Brussels Sprouts
Though you would think this is pretty obvious, there are more ways to use these vegan Brussels Sprouts than just setting them on the table!
- they make a great side dish on a busy weeknight as well as a family gathering and Holiday dinners (especially on the side of something like a smoked Thanksgiving Turkey, or a roster oven turkey) and paired with keto cranberry sauce).
- they add some extra crunch when added to a Buddha Bowl (learn how to make these bowls in just seven steps!)
- use leftover sprouts in a chicken pasta the next night and just add oil and chili flakes for the sauce
- whip up a batch and just let kiddos munch on them- mine eat them like chips!
If you're making these for Thanksgiving, make sure to use this Thanksgiving scavenger hunt to keep the kiddos busy while you cook!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Maple Candied Brussel Sprouts
Tossing them in maple syrup and baking gives the Brussels sprouts a candied flavor. As the sugar absorbs from the maple syrup and cystalizes the sprouts themselves get crispy and candy-like.
These Brussels sprouts taste best when made fresh. Making them and reheating them will cause them to lose some of their flavor.
Other Gluten-Free Recipes You'll Love
- Dairy-free macaroni salad
- Sheet pan steak fajitas
- Easy venison chili
- Dairy-free chicken alfredo
- Baked teriyaki chicken thighs
- One pot sausage and tomato pasta
- 30 minute teriyaki meatballs
- Slow cooker teriyaki chicken
- Chicken fajita bowls
- Creamy slow cooker Tuscan chicken
- Thai quinoa stir fry
- 30-minute meals
Candied Brussels Sprouts-Gluten-free & Vegan
Equipment
- Large baking tray
Ingredients
- 6 cups Brussels Sprouts about 40 sprouts, de-stemmed & quartered
- 1 cup nuts chopped
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If you haven’t already, remove the stem from the sprouts and slice them in quarters. Whisk together the syrup, olive oil, and sea salt. Toss everything in a bowl and mix until all sprouts are coated.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and pour the sprouts on top in one even layer.
- Bake for 18 minutes. Remove pan and stir/flip the sprouts moving the middle ones to the outer layer and vice versa.
- Bake for another 15 minutes. Turn the oven off and let cook/cool for 5-10 more minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- First de-stem them. To do this, simply cut the bottom off the Brussels sprouts (when raw) but take more than you need to.
- Some of the leaves should fall off and that's exactly what you want!
- Then, slice them in half and into quarters. You want them small.
- Finally, when they're in the bowl, toss them a bit with your hands. The more leaves that fall off and the smaller the actual sprouts, the crispier the maple-roasted Brussels sprouts will come out.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
These gluten-free, vegan, maple syrup-roasted Brussels sprouts are perfect for picky kids (and husbands!) who won’t eat their vegetables.
Made without bacon, these vegan sprouts come out slightly sticky, crunchy, and sweet- you just can’t stop eating them. Thus, make a big batch and munch on them or use them as a topper for a buddha bowl or salad- either way, make them!
Shelby aka Mama Bear
Stacey
Even my kids love these! Great recipe 🙂
fitasamamabear
Haha it's such a win when kids devour them!
Rose
These candied brussels tasted so good! My whole family enjoyed them..
fitasamamabear
So happy to hear it!
linda
I love roasted brussels, in fact it's the only way I will eat them!
fitasamamabear
Me too! I never liked them until I tried them roasted.
Kelly
Everybody in the family is going to love these!! That delicious roast flavor and that yummy maple!! So good!
fitasamamabear
Honestly, the roasted maple just makes them delicious- so much more indulgent! Great for fall 🙂
Megan
Gosh, these look INCREDIBLE!! I can't wait to make them!! 🙂 🙂
fitasamamabear
They're such a yummy twist on a veggie!
Donny
This is so genius! Loved every bite.
Susan
Every ingredient is a favorite, so this has to be a win. Can't wait to try it!!!
fitasamamabear
Haha yes! They come out so crispy and tasty, you'll love em!
Elizabeth S
These are amazing! I love the crispy, sweet, earthy flavor of these. Will be making at least once a week.
fitasamamabear
The crispiness is the best part!
Giangi Townsend
An amazing side dish that we all crave. Easy to make and packed with flavor. It has become a staple at our house. Thank you.
fitasamamabear
Nice twist on a classic eh?
Nicole
This made brussles sprouts haters turn into HUGE fans in our house. Amazing!
fitasamamabear
Haha my girls too, it's the best!
Ksenia
These were so yummy and enjoyable! The sweet flavor was perfect without being overwhelming. And so quick and easy to make!
fitasamamabear
So happy you lived them!
Jenn
I love these! They take all of my favrioute parts of maple syrup sprouts, and make them crispy! Im thinking of packing them as a snack for work, as they are not messy, and so fun to eat!
Angela
This recipe to make brussels sprouts is one of my favorites, I love the sweetness and crunchiness! I make them very often when with my family we watch TV, for a healthy snack!
fitasamamabear
They're so easy to munch on!
Jessica
I know this is supposed to help kids like brussels sprouts, but honestly it has helped me (nearly 40!) enjoy them too. I actually look forward to digging in rather than struggling through them to set a good example for my children.
fitasamamabear
Haha same goes for my hubby, he likes them now too!
Ali
We loved these so much - from how quick and easy they're to make to how delicious they tasted. Thank you!
fitasamamabear
Glad you enjoyed them!
Claire
I love Brussels but my kids have never been big fans. But they loved this recipe. I thought it would have been the sweetness that they loved (which was amazing), but my youngest said it was the texture. He said they weren't all solid. That is thanks to your tip about cutting off the end and cutting them in half. Before I found your recipe I always just use to put a cross in the bottom like my mom always did. Cutting them small and removing the stalky bit is a game changer. THANK YOU
fitasamamabear
Thank you for this- you made my day! Honestly the crunch on them makes my kids think they're chips haha it's such a freaking win. Happy to hear your son loved them!
Faye
Sticky, crunchy, and addictive, these maple-roasted delights is a winner for both kids and adults. Healthy and delicious!
fitasamamabear
Haha the best combo!
Janna
They were a hit with my picky kiddos! I never thought Brussels sprouts could be so delicious! I'm thinking of serving them as an appetizer for our family gathering next time.
fitasamamabear
Always a huge parent win!
Remy
If you'd asked me as a child if I would voluntarily make brussels sprouts for dinner I'd have thought you were crazy. But there's something about that savory flavor of the browned edges of brussels sprouts mixed with the sweet and crunchy in this recipe. It's so good! I enjoy this side just as much as my main.
fitasamamabear
Haha same! But when they taste like candy I'm all over it.
LIsa
I was a bit skeptical at first about candied Brussels sprouts, but wow, what a pleasant surprise! They turned out crispy and the sweet glaze was a perfect contrast. Even my kids, who are usually not fans of veggies, asked for seconds. Thank you for this recipe!
fitasamamabear
Happy it was a good twist for you!
Leigh
This was delicious! So sweet and crispy. It pairs really well with my oven-baked turkey. Will be making this again this Thanksgiving!
fitasamamabear
Yay! Glad you have a new favorite!
Kat
I think the sweet maple glaze is the secret weapon that turns even the pickiest eaters into veggie lovers. Love this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
fitasamamabear
Maple syrup is a life staple in my house lol
Lea
I made this for my family and they devoured it in minutes. The maple syrup added a nice sweetness and caramelization that balanced the bitterness of the Brussels sprouts. I guess that's why my kid didn't even mind it was a vegetable. I'm glad to see him enjoying his food. Thanks for this great recipe!
fitasamamabear
Haha total parent win!
Davi
My 2 year old gobbled these right down. The were even a hit with my mother in law who insisted she didn't like brussels sprouts.
fitasamamabear
Ahh best win of the day yet!
Bea
These maple-roasted Brussels sprouts are a family favorite in our house now! The crunchiness and hint of sweetness from the maple syrup make them irresistible.
fitasamamabear
It's so nice when they're crunchy right?1
Ana
Roasted brussels... ahhhh! They really are yummy! I really like the simplicity of the ingredients, but awesome flavors <3. A really perfect dish for a busy weeknight 🙂
fitasamamabear
Glad you love them!