I’ve always believed that vegetables deserve to have fun too. And what’s more fun than wrapping something in bacon?
This bacon wrapped asparagus is a go-to side dish, making appearances at everything from casual weeknight dinners to holiday feasts.
The contrast between the crispy, savory bacon and the tender asparagus creates a perfect balance that even vegetable skeptics can’t resist.
It’s the kind of dish that makes people think you went to a lot of trouble, when really, you just knew a great shortcut to deliciousness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish combines two ingredients that were meant to be together – crispy bacon and fresh asparagus.
It’s incredibly versatile and works as a side dish, appetizer, or even part of a brunch spread.
The recipe is almost impossible to mess up, making it perfect for beginner cooks or busy weeknights.
You only need a handful of ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen.
The presentation looks fancy enough for special occasions but is simple enough for everyday meals.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh asparagus (about 20-24 spears)
- 10-12 slices of bacon (not thick-cut)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Optional: 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Optional: 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze for drizzling
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Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Wash the asparagus and trim the woody ends – about an inch from the bottom of each spear.
- Pat the asparagus dry with paper towels. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness!
- In a large bowl or on the baking sheet, toss the asparagus with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- If using brown sugar and red pepper flakes for a sweet-spicy version, sprinkle them over the bacon slices now.
- Take each slice of bacon and cut it in half lengthwise to create long, thin strips. This helps ensure the bacon cooks evenly with the asparagus.
- Wrap each asparagus spear with a half slice of bacon, starting just below the tip and spiraling down to the end. The bacon should slightly overlap as you wrap.
- Place the wrapped spears on the baking sheet, making sure they don’t touch each other.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender when pierced with a fork.
- For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a couple of minutes before serving.
- If using, drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving for an extra pop of flavor.
This bacon wrapped asparagus is best served hot and fresh from the oven. The contrast between the crispy bacon exterior and the tender asparagus inside is what makes this dish special.
I like to serve this as a side dish with grilled chicken or steak, but it also works beautifully as a passed appetizer at parties. Just provide small plates and napkins, as people will be using their fingers.
If you’re making these for a crowd, you can prepare them several hours ahead of time and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to bake.
The leftovers (if there are any!) can be reheated in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes, though they won’t be quite as crispy as when first made.
Try this once, and I bet it becomes a regular in your recipe rotation.
Print
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
A simple yet impressive side dish that pairs crispy, savory bacon with tender asparagus spears. Fresh asparagus is seasoned with garlic and pepper, then each spear is wrapped with a thin strip of bacon and roasted until perfectly crisp. Ready in under 30 minutes, this versatile recipe works as an elegant side dish, party appetizer, or brunch addition.
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Serves 4 as a side dish 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh asparagus (about 20–24 spears)
- 10–12 slices of bacon (not thick-cut)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Optional: 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Optional: 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Wash the asparagus and trim the woody ends – about an inch from the bottom of each spear.
- Pat the asparagus dry with paper towels. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness!
- In a large bowl or on the baking sheet, toss the asparagus with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- If using brown sugar and red pepper flakes for a sweet-spicy version, sprinkle them over the bacon slices now.
- Take each slice of bacon and cut it in half lengthwise to create long, thin strips. This helps ensure the bacon cooks evenly with the asparagus.
- Wrap each asparagus spear with a half slice of bacon, starting just below the tip and spiraling down to the end. The bacon should slightly overlap as you wrap.
- Place the wrapped spears on the baking sheet, making sure they don’t touch each other.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender when pierced with a fork.
- For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a couple of minutes before serving.
- If using, drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving for an extra pop of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
