Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is a smoky and savory side dish. It is crispy, delicious, and takes about 20 minutes to prepare!

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is an easy appetizer that looks ultra-fancy. This meaty side dish is sure to be a staple for mealtime. For more must-make bacon dishes, be sure to try Bacon Wrapped Dates or Smokies, and a Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball.

Bacon wrapped asparagus in the oven

Cooking Bacon Wrapped Asparagus in the oven is my favorite way to prepare this tasty side. It is a hands-free “set it and forget it” kind of method that works great when multitasking.

This is a delicious and easy way to serve asparagus as the bacon adds a layer of smokiness. And let’s face it, doesn’t it look so fancy?! It’s a great side for a nicer dinner or holiday or an eye-catching appetizer.

I love asparagus in all of its forms, but this is an amazingly delicious way to jazz it up!

asparagus prep

Pick the best asparagus. The bacon is meant to enhance the fresh delicious flavor of the asparagus. Use the following tips to help you pick the best asparagus:  

• Buy in season.
• The buds on the spears of the asparagus should be tight. 
• Look for a bundle of medium sizes stalks.
• Store them in an open brown bag in the crisper drawer or stand them upright in a cup of water, toward the front of the fridge, for 7-10 days. 

Trimming the stalks. Find stalks that are all about the same size that way they cook evenly. To trim the asparagus stalks, simply bend the spear toward the bottom end and it will snap where the tender part meets the thicker portion. Discard the woody ends. 

HOW TO MAKE BACON WRAPPED ASPARAGUS

PREP. Preheat oven to 400°F.

SEASON. Lightly coat asparagus spears in extra-virgin olive oil. Season the asparagus with black pepper.

BUNDLE. Take a quick count of the spear tips. Divide the total number by four. Gather that number of spears and use a slice of bacon to wrap the bundle and secure the spears together. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

BAKE. For oven preparation, place bundles on a slotted broiler pan or wire rack set on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake for 12 minutes.

• Broiler: Use the oven broiler to help make the bacon a bit crisper after it has finished baking. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn.

Asparagus pairs. I love these beautiful bundles, but you can easily even out the bacon-to-asparagus ratio by wrapping each stalk individually or in pairs with a slice of bacon.

• Slice the bacon in half lengthwise and wrap 1-2 stalks with each bacon slice.
• Place them on a cooking rack that has been set on a baking pan.
• Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes or until done.

Recipe Tips

Blanching asparagus. Blanch the asparagus if desired, but it is not necessary when baking this dish. The benefits include producing brighter green asparagus as well as jump-starting the cooking process, ensuring each stalk cooks through without overcooking. If using the grill or griddle I would recommend blanching. 

• Bring 8 cups of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of salt.
• Add the trimmed asparagus stalks to the water.
• Boil for 1-2 minutes. Using tongs, remove the stalks and immediately place them in a bowl of ice water.
• Pat dry, wrap with bacon, and roast according to recipe instructionsb. 

Cooking options. Cook Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bundles on the grill or on a griddle. Make them crispier and adjust the amount of asparagus the bacon wraps.

• Grill. Wrap the asparagus and drizzle with oil. Heat the grill to 400ºF. Use a vegetable tray or oil the grill grates before putting on the asparagus bundles. Grill for about 15-20 minutes or until the asparagus is tender and the bacon is crisp.
• Griddle. Cook these on the stovetop. They splatter a lot, but the bacon can get really crispy. Turn the bundles to make sure all sides get cooked.
• Air fry. Trim the asparagus to fit inside the air fryer basket. Prepare bundles as directed in the recipe. Working in batches, place 1-2 bundles in the air fryer. Fry at 360°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway. 

Extra Flavor:

• Sprinkle on brown sugar for a salty-sweet dish.
• Sprinkle on freshly shredded parmesan cheese.
• Season with paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, or red chili flakes.

Storing Info

Make ahead of time. Don’t cook these too far in advance, however, they can be prepared a day ahead of time. Wrap the bundles with bacon and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. 

STORE any leftovers in the fridge for 1-2 days.

To reheat them, simply stick them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. Flip halfway so both sides are warm and crisp.

Recipe FAQ

More Vegetable Side ideas:

• Oven Roasted Vegetables
• Cheesy Zucchini Tots
• Roasted Broccoli
• Microwave Corn on the Cob
• Honey Glazed Carrots