Sweet and Spicy Brussels Sprouts (Vegan, Gluten Free) (2024)

Medically reviewed by Abbey Sharp, Registered Dietitian (RD), BASc.

I’m spicing things up for Thanksgiving this year by serving up my tasty vegan and gluten free sweet and spicy brussel sprouts side dish.

It’s no secret that I am ADDICTED to Brussel sprouts. Which is why I always get super excited this time of year when this humble veg is back in season so I can find new ways to stuff it into my mouth!

So you bet that this favourite veg or mine always makes an appearance at the Thanksgiving spread. One dish everyone around the table was raving about was my Sweet Chili Roasted Brussels Sprouts side dish. They couldn’t get enough of those Brussels. People were even bypassing the stuffing to get to these gooey sticky sprouts. You know you’ve done good, when guests are asking for MORE of the veg. Music to a dietitian’s ears.

So for all you Americans out there getting ready for Thanksgiving and for the rest of us thinking about Christmas or Hannukah, you’re gonna want to turn whip out this stellar dish at your upcoming holiday feast.

Key Ingredients

Sweet Chili Sauce – Is it just me or does a generous amount of sweet chili sauce make just about anything taste that much better? This stuff is KEY for bringing out the sweet and spicy flavour for these Brussel sprouts.

Sriracha – This will give the sprouts the extra little kick that it needs. If you’re not big on spice, feel free to hold back on the sriracha as the sweet chili sauce already has a bit of a kick to it.

Chex Cereal – To make this recipe gluten free, I use chex cereal instead of panko to make a crumbly topping for extra texture.

Cashews – I also toast up some cashews along with the chex “panko” to add some extra protein and healthy fats.

Limes – This will give the sweet & spicy Brussel sprouts a bit of tanginess that always feels just so right with an asian inspired dish like this. Feel free to add a few more squeezes of juice just before serving.

How to Make This Recipe

Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, lime juice, tamari, and garlic.

Step 2: On a large baking sheet, toss Brussels sprouts in sauce until fully coated. Season generously with salt and pepper. Roast in a preheated oven at 425F until slightly charred and tender, 30 to 35 minutes.

Step 3: Pulse the cereal in a food processor until crushed to look like panko bread crumbs. Remove and set aside.

Step 4: Add in the cashews and pulse until they reach crumbs.

Step 5: Add olive oil to a pan over medium heat along with the crushed cereal and cashews. Toast until just golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 6: Top the crispy sweet and spicy Brussels sprouts with the “panko” nut topping and sprinkle with fleur de sel. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

To make this sweet and spicy Brussel sprouts gluten free, I use tamari instead of soy sauce and make a gluten-free panko by toasting crumbled Chex cereal and cashews. If you don’t need to make this dish gluten-free, you can use soy sauce instead or use regular panko bread crumbs.

This recipe gets its sweet and spicy flavour from a combination of sweet chili sauce and sriracha. Feel free to play around with the ratios of these ingredients if you’d like this dish to taste a bit more spicy, and vice versa. You can also add in a bit of honey for some extra sweetness if you prefer.

Recipe FAQs

More Thanksgiving Side Dishes You Might Like

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Streusel Topping

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Now I want to know – what are you making for Thanksgiving this year? What is your go-to Thanksgiving side dish?

Have you tried these sweet and spicy Brussel sprouts? Let me know down in the comments below!

Updated on December 1st, 2020