The Best Brussels Sprouts to Make at Home

Hey foodies! I've been getting a lot of questions about how to adjust my famous Bacon Balsamic Brussels Sprouts recipe for a slightly lower oven temperature, specifically around 400°F. And you know what? It's totally doable and just as delicious! While my go-to recipe uses 425°F for that extra crispy edge, baking at 400°F can also yield fantastic results, sometimes even a bit more tender on the inside while still getting beautifully caramelized on the outside. So, if your oven runs a little cooler or you simply prefer to bake at 400°F, here’s what I recommend for my Bacon Balsamic Brussels Sprouts. You'll still follow all the prep steps: blanching the sprouts, cooking the bacon, and mixing everything with the onion powder, garlic powder, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper, along with that delicious reserved bacon fat (or olive oil). When it comes to baking at 400°F, you'll want to extend the cooking time slightly. Instead of 25-30 minutes, I find that 30-35 minutes usually does the trick for perfectly roasted sprouts at this temperature. Keep an eye on them, especially during the last 10 minutes. You want those outer leaves to get nice and browned, almost charred in spots, which is where all that amazing flavor comes from. Give the pan a good shake or a stir halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning. A crucial tip for achieving that perfect crispiness at 400°F is to make sure your Brussels sprouts are as dry as possible after blanching. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispy veggies! After blanching for 1 min 30 sec, drain them really well and even pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel before tossing with the other ingredients. Also, don't overcrowd your baking sheet. If you're making a big batch, use two sheets. Giving them space allows the hot air to circulate properly, preventing them from steaming instead of roasting. Finally, once they're out of the oven, don't forget that last step of glazing them with balsamic. This adds a fantastic sweet and tangy finish that truly elevates the dish. If you find they're not quite as crispy as you'd like, you can always pop them back in for another 5 minutes, but keep a close watch! Every oven is a little different, so trust your instincts and adjust the time to your liking. Enjoy!