Bacon Wrapped Asparagus (Printable Version)
Tender asparagus bundles wrapped in crispy bacon, oven-roasted until golden and smoky.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 lb fresh asparagus spears, woody ends trimmed
→ Meats
02 - 8 slices thin-cut bacon
→ Seasonings
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/4 tsp sea salt
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
02 - Wash asparagus spears thoroughly and trim approximately 1 inch from the tough woody ends.
03 - Divide asparagus into 8 equal bundles, grouping similar-sized spears together.
04 - Drizzle olive oil over asparagus bundles and sprinkle evenly with sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Toss gently to coat all surfaces.
05 - Wrap each asparagus bundle with one slice of bacon, starting at the bottom and spiraling upward to cover the bundle. Place bundles seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Bake for 18-22 minutes until bacon is crispy and asparagus is tender-crisp. For extra-crispy bacon, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end of cooking time, watching closely to prevent burning.
07 - Transfer bundles to a serving platter using tongs. Serve hot as an appetizer or alongside grilled meats as a side dish.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The bacon fat renders into the asparagus, creating natural seasoning you cant achieve any other way
- These disappear faster than any other side dish, yet they take almost zero skill to make perfect
02 -
- Thin asparagus works better than thick stalks, which stay woody even after roasting
- Pat the bacon dry with paper towels before wrapping if it feels too slippery
03 -
- Room temperature bacon wraps more easily without tearing
- Let the bundles rest for 2 minutes after baking so the bacon sets