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A side of veggies never has to be boring when you load them up! These crispy loaded brussel sprouts with chili honey are far from your average veggie. Tossed with crispy pancetta, sweet cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and tangy feta, these brussel sprouts hit all the flavor and texture notes! PLUS, this delicious dish gets drizzled with a sweet, crunchy, spicy chili honey. Can one dish have it all, yes!
Prepping the Brussel Sprouts
I start with 1 lb of brussel sprouts, trimming off the stems and cutting them in half. Then I place them in a bowl and drizzle them with olive oil, about 2 tbsp, and season them with salt and pepper to taste. I could stop there, but here is the kicker and what MAKES this recipe: pancetta! This recipe could just as easily use bacon (no complaints here), but to me, the taste of pancetta is a little extra pop that is almost unexpected.
In case you don’t know the difference, both pancetta and bacon are both made from the belly of the pig. But while bacon is smoked, pancetta is salt cured and dried, giving them totally different flavor profiles. Also, because of the technique, bacon must be cooked while pancetta can be eaten raw or cooked. Both crisp up into delicious salt bombs, though, so choose whatever you prefer!
I like to par-cook my pancetta before cooking it with the brussels. Pop them in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Not long enough to crisp them up, but just long enough to render a little bit of fat so the flavor penetrated the brussels. Add the par-cooked pancetta to the brussel sprouts and toss.
Air Frying or Oven Roasting
These loaded brussel sprouts can actually be made in an air fryer or oven, making them a great recipe for anyone. In 2020, I think everyone in America has an air fryer, or at least has 3-5 pinterest recipes saved for the day they finally get one. Ever since I got one, I have not gone back to the oven when I want a nice crisp on anything, particularly veggies. I have an amazing convection oven with an air fryer feature! I love not having to have 6 different appliances to cook all the ways I want to. You can bake, air fry, or convection cook my brussel sprouts all in on machine. But I digress.
Spread evenly in your air fryer basket/tray or on a baking sheet (oven). At 400 degrees, cook for 12-15 minutes in the air fryer, shaking halfway, or 18-20 minutes in the oven, flipping halfway. Serve them just like this if you want, or amp them up!
Fully Loaded Brussel Sprouts
Brussel sprouts and pancetta (or bacon if you please), are the perfect crispy side dish or snack in my opinion, but why stop there? Pull the brussel sprouts out from cooking and add ALL of these:
- Crunch– 1/2 cup toasted walnuts (cooked in a dry pan for 3-4 minutes until fragrant)
- Sweetness– 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- Saltiness– 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Sweet AND Spicy– chili honey
Of all of the wonderful things about this dish, the chili honey really ties it all together. Simply take 3 tbsp of honey and combine it with 2 tsp of red chili flakes (more or less to taste), 1 tsp granulated garlic, and 1 tsp granulated onion. Drizzle the mix over the top of the brussel sprouts and all of their mix-ins to bring the dish home! The sweetness of the honey acts as a great counterbalance for the charred crispy brussels and the salty pancetta and feta. The chili adds a level of heat that offsets the honey and cranberries. These loaded brussel sprouts with chili honey are perfectly balanced and equally full of surprises. They are truly the perfect side set to become the main star of dinner.
Want More Delicious Veggie Side Dishes?
Loaded Brussel Sprouts with Chili Honey
Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 4 oz pancetta diced
- 1 lb fresh brussel sprouts trimmed and halved
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 4 oz crumbled feta
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp chili pepper flakes
- 1 tsp granulated onion
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
Instructions
- Preheat your oven or airfryer to 400°
- In a dry pan, toast the walnuts over medium heat until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside
- In the same pan, partially cook the pancetta, just enough to render out some fat, but not to cook all the way through (it will continue to cook and crips with the brussel sprouts).
- In a bowl, add brussel sprouts. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add pancetta (and any rendered fat), and stir to combine.
- Spread brussels in an even layer in an air fryer basket/tray or a baking sheet (if using the oven).
- Air Fryer: Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through. Oven: Roast for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Once air fried/roasted, add to a serving bowl. Toss in walnuts, cranberries, and feta.
- In a small bowl, combine honey, chili flakes, garlic, and onion. Drizzle over brussel sprouts and and toss. Serve immediately.
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