Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts With Fennel

Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts are savory, sweet, full of texture, and so easy to love! Brussels sprouts are tossed in maple syrup, roasted with fennel and onion, then sprinkled with pomegranate and pepitas. It's an elegant, simple side dish for any occasion.

Maple roasted Brussel sprouts are a solid YES in our house with just about any meal during the winter months, especially when pomegranates are in season. They’re easy to make, healthy, affordable, and so versatile. Maple syrup Brussel sprouts are sweet, savory, and elegant enough for special occasions, yet simple enough for weeknight dinner.

How to make Brussels sprouts taste good

Brussels sprouts are one of those ingredients people often love to hate. I get it. The sprouts are naturally bitter and need the right flavors built around them to make them palatable for many people. Not everyone has a knack for making this magic happen. I see you. I gotchu. The magic is in the maple syrup (and a few other things) to balance the flavors of the palate in a desirable way. Here's what makes this recipe so darned good:

• bitter from the Brussels sprouts
• sweet from the maple syrup
• a touch of salt
• tart from the pomegranate
• savory / umami from the fennel & pepitas

All of these add up to ... dancing taste buds!

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts ingredient notes

• Brussels sprouts - I recommend only fresh Brussels sprouts for this recipe (not frozen).
• Fennel - adds a subtle licorice flavor and lots of texture (as long as you don't slice it too thin).
• onion - I love the color, texture, and flavor of red onion with maple roasted Brussels sprouts.
•  maple syrup - this recipe calls for pure maple syrup and I don't recommend using pancake syrup.
• extra virgin olive oil - or your preferred oil can be used.
• pomegranate arils - or pomegranate seeds add the right amount of sweet and tart to this dish.
• pepitas - also called pumpkin seeds.

 Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe Steps

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Wash, dry, and slice Brussels sprouts, fennel, and red onion.
2. Drizzle olive oil, salt, and pepper over veggies; toss to coat; place on a baking sheet.
3. Bake 10 minutes, take the baking sheet out of the oven, drizzle maple syrup over vegetables, toss to combine, and return to the oven to bake another 5 minutes.
4. Remove from oven, transfer to serving plate; garnish with pomegranate and pepitas; serve warm.

Maple syrup, Brussels sprouts and fennel

When I roast Brussels sprouts, I like to add a few other vegetables to complement their texture, flavor, and color. For this recipe, I love to roast fresh fennel and a gorgeous red onion with the Brussels sprouts. The combination of flavor and texture are perfect together! You can omit the fennel and/or the onion, but there's something magical about both of those pieces of produce that make this maple-baked veggie combo unforgettable.

Can I use frozen Brussels sprouts for this recipe?

I recommend using only fresh Brussels sprouts for this recipe. Frozen sprouts will throw off too much moisture and they simply won't caramelize in the oven.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe tips

• Slice fennel and onion on the thick side because they'll shrink quite a bit in the oven.
• Prep produce a day in advance, and save time on cooking day, especially if you're making these roasted Brussels sprouts for holiday dinner.
• Use pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup).

Recommended tools

• chef knife and cutting board
• measuring cup and/or spoons
• mixing bowl and whisk
• baking sheet

Serve roasted Brussel sprouts with these entrees

• Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
• Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
• Broiled Salmon
• Simple Baked Chicken Leg Drumsticks
• Instant Pot Pulled Pork

More Brussels sprouts recipes

• Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Kale & Apples
• Kale Sesame Noodles
• Oven Baked Eggs with Veggies