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 bundles on a white plate.

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 prepped and ready for making bacon wrapped asparagus.

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. 

Seasoning asparagus in preparation for making bacon wrapped asparagus.

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.
Bacon wrapped asparagus bundles on a ready for baking.

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.
Seasoned bacon wrapped asparagus bundles on a baking sheet ready to bake.

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.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus bundles cooked and stacked on a white plate.

Recipe FAQ

Should you blanch the asparagus beforehand?

For this recipe, you don’t have to! Especially if you’re cooking them in the oven. If you are using a grill or griddle, you may want to blanch them. For more details, see the section above titled “Recipe Tips”.

How do I make the bacon crispy?

If you want extra crispy bacon, you can broil the bundles for a minute or two after they’ve finished cooking. Make sure to keep an eye on it, because it can go from crispy to burnt in a split second!

More Vegetable Side ideas:

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe

5 from 8 votes
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is a smoky and savory side dish. It is crispy, delicious, and takes about 20 minutes to prepare!
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 126 kcal
Author Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs asparagus spears trimmed to a length of 4-5 inches
  • extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
  • black pepper
  • 4 slices center cut bacon
  • chopped chives or scallions optional garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Lightly coat asparagus spears in extra-virgin olive oil. Season the asparagus with black pepper.
  • 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 with a toothpick.
  • Repeat with remaining ingredients.
  • Place bundles on a slotted broiler pan or wire rack on a baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes.

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About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Comments:

  1. 5 stars
    Ok, I didn’t think asparagus could get better! I was so wrong! I will be wrapping it with bacon from now on!

  2. 5 stars
    I only started liking asparagus a couple years ago and now I can’t get enough of it, add bacon and it’s irresistible. Great recipe!

  3. 5 stars
    Thanks for this recipe! I wrapped mine in Prosciutto instead of bacon and they came out so perfect. Makes a pretty presentation too!