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GET IT NOWI’ve been making bacon wrapped asparagus for nearly a decade, and it’s still one of my favorite ways to enjoy this spring veggie. With tender roasted asparagus and ultra crispy (yes, actually crispy!) bacon, this is the perfect balance of nutrients and comfort. I make it every year when asparagus season hits — and even sneak it in when it’s out of season, because I just love this recipe so much. Make it with me!
Why You Need My Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
- Tender asparagus wrapped in bacon that’s actually crispy – With other bacon wrapped asparagus recipes, I’ve noticed that oftentimes the veggies are soft before the bacon has the chance to crisp up. Where I think my version really shines is the crispy bacon without ruining the asparagus — just follow my tips!
- Super easy to make – You need just a few ingredients, and I think wrapping the asparagus in bacon is pretty relaxing.
- So many ways to enjoy it – This recipe works as a healthy side dish, as an appetizer, or even for a fun snack. And it’s great to prep ahead when I’m having people over!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my bacon wrapped asparagus recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Asparagus – Medium to thick spears work best here, as they are less prone to overcooking by the time the bacon is done. I usually make sauteed asparagus if I have thin spears, but have a tip below to make them work with this recipe, too.
- Bacon – I like this clean-ingredient brand. Avoid thick cut bacon, which will take too long to get crispy. You could also swap in prosciutto, like I do for my prosciutto wrapped asparagus.
- Oil – Just a teaspoon to help the seasonings stick. I used this mild olive oil, but extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil also works.
- Seasonings – Garlic salt (or just mix garlic powder and salt separately) and black pepper.
How To Cook Bacon Wrapped Asparagus In The Oven
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Prep your asparagus and bacon. Trim the tough ends of asparagus, and cut bacon lengthwise into narrower strips. I usually just line up the spears and chop in a single go, but for the perfect spot to remove, you can bend each stalk and it’ll snap at the natural point where it starts to get woody.
- Season the spears. Drizzle them with olive oil, and season with garlic salt and black pepper. You can do this right on your baking sheet or in a large bowl.
- Wrap asparagus with bacon. Grab a stalk and wrap a narrow bacon piece tightly around it. Place it seam side down on a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with all the asparagus and bacon. See my tips below for my notes about wrapping multiple spears.
- Bake, then broil. Pop the bacon wrapped asparagus in the oven and bake, flipping halfway though, until bacon is nearly crispy. Place under the broiler to crisp up more at the end.
My Recipe Tips
- Go light on the salt and oil. The bacon is already salty and has plenty of fat, so you only need a tiny bit of oil for the spices to stick — and less salt than you’d normally use.
- Avoid stretching or overlapping the bacon. Stretching can cause it to unravel as it cooks, and overlapping will leave it less crispy. I try to line up the edges side by side — they create the pretty pinstripe pattern (like my pictures here) as they shrink during cooking. This allows for more air flow, which is what you want for extra crispiness!
- Do you have to use a wire rack? No, but I recommend it if you want the crispiest results! It prevents the bacon wrapped asparagus from sitting in the bacon grease or touching the hot pan, so it cooks more evenly and gets more crispy. I use this set and it’s the best! I actually have it in several sizes, and for my pictures above I used 2 pans of the jelly roll size. It’s also awesome for other crispy foods, like oven baked bacon by itself or coconut shrimp.
- Don’t crowd the pan. Make sure there is space between all the pieces. Again, it’s about that air flow!
- Cook time can vary, so double check a little early. It mainly depends on the thickness of your asparagus. You also want to remove a little early to account for the high-heat blast of the broiler at the end.
- If you have a convection oven, this is a great time to use it. It will crisp up your bacon better! You’ll need to turn the asparagus sooner, around 5-7 minutes, and check on it 5-8 minutes later. (It should take 11-15 minutes total with the convection setting, before the broiling step.)
- Watch closely when broiling. The bacon can go from crisp to burned super fast!
- Have very thin asparagus spears? I generally recommend medium or thick ones here, because thin ones will overcook, but I found a trick if you’ve got thin ones! Just fry the bacon for a few minutes first, so it renders some of its fat but is still pliable. Then proceed with my bacon wrapped asparagus recipe using the partially cooked bacon, and you can get away with a shorter bake time to avoid limp stalks.
- Prefer bacon wrapped asparagus bundles? I like to wrap asparagus in bacon individually, it’s easier to eat as an appetizer and you get more bacon in every bite — and the bundles just fall apart when you try to eat them. But if you want a faster method, you can wrap 4-6 spears at a time instead.
- Want extra flavor? Sometimes I brush maple syrup over the bacon or sprinkle on parmesan cheese before baking. A drizzle of balsamic glaze or honey (I use sugar-free honey) at the end is nice, too.
- Eat it right away. The asparagus and bacon will both soften when they cool.
Alternate Cooking Methods
I prefer to cook bacon wrapped asparagus in the oven, because it’s hands-off and can make a big batch, but have also cooked it in other ways:
- Grill – Grilled asparagus usually takes only a few minutes (I do 2-4 minutes at medium-high heat), but I find it takes longer for the bacon to crisp up. You can just watch until it gets crispy. If you want to ensure your asparagus stays crisp-tender, you may want to grill the bacon on its own for a couple minutes to render some fat before wrapping.
- Air Fryer – My favorite method for a smaller batch, because it’s a pro at crisping up food! Just season and roll asparagus in bacon, then follow the timing in my air fryer asparagus recipe.
- Stovetop – I don’t like this method because it’s more fuss, but you can cook bacon wrapped asparagus on the stove. Just cook over medium heat, turning occasionally, until the bacon crisps up.
More Bacon Wrapped Recipes
So many foods are better wrapped in bacon, and I’ve got lots of recipes like this! Try one of my others next:
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus (Super Crispy)
My bacon wrapped asparagus recipe in the oven includes tips to make it extra crispy without overcooking the veggies. It's quick and easy!
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Place an oven-safe wire rack (either greased or non-stick) over a baking sheet. (I use a set like this.)
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Trim the woody ends of the asparagus. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic salt and black pepper to taste. (You don't need a lot of oil, just enough for the salt and pepper to stick.)
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Cut the bacon slices lengthwise to make narrower strips. Wrap each bacon strip tightly around an asparagus stalk, trying not to overlap the bacon on each stalk (it will shrink during cooking, creating a "striped" pattern). Place seam side down onto the wire rack.
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Bake for 10 minutes. Use tongs to turn over. Bake for another 5-10 minutes, until the bacon is almost crispy. Set the oven to broil, then place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to crisp up more.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 4 pieces
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get crispy bacon and perfectly tender asparagus, notes on asparagus thicknesses, the right way to wrap the bacon, variations for extra flavor, and more.
- Other ways to cook it: The oven method is my fave, but see my alternate cooking methods above if you want to use your grill, air fryer, or stovetop instead.
- Store: Asparagus tastes best fresh, but you can keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. I don’t recommend freezing this dish, because the asparagus gets mushy.
- Meal prep: I often prep this ahead to cook later! You can wrap asparagus in bacon and refrigerate for a day or two before baking.
- Reheat: My favorite way to reheat is the air fryer, but a quick broil in the oven works, too.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Low Carb Holiday Cookbook and Keto Ebook Bundle!
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
244 Comments
Susan McFarland
0Delicious! Favorite way to eat asparagus.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Susan!
Betty
0Hello Maya,
My husband and I loved this recipe. Very nice. We will be making it again next week. I will try all the other recipes too. Thanks so much.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Betty!
Manny
0Yum!!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Manny!
Kristen
0Best recipe ever, thank you so much for sharing!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Kristen!
Amelia Palomares
0How long ahead of serving time have you ever made this? I’m throwing a party that involves using my oven a lot and I’m trying to time it correctly. 🙂
Thanks!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Amelia, I often prepare these the day before and just place in the oven before serving. You can cook them ahead of time if you want to, but the bacon may become less crispy if it sits for a long time.
Jeanette
0I’m making them now. They look so goooood!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Jeanette!
Frances Mockbee Yglesias
0Omg, this recipe is awesome. I made this for one of our big monthly family dinners. The only addition I made was after I flipped the asparagus over half way through baking, I sprinkled some grated Parmesan Romano cheese on top. My grandchildren loved it. Everyone wanted more. That was the first time I ever prepared asparagus.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Frances! I’m glad everyone enjoyed it. The cheese addition sounds yummy!
Lorrie
0Drizzled mine with maple syrup for a sweet treat. So good…
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Yum – thank you, Lorrie!
Kari Haugen Dorsher
0Cant wait to try this tonight! But, I checked out the recommended rack on Amazon and in the Q&A section they say to not use in the oven due to the non stick coating. Thought you should know. I’m going to look for another one. Thank you!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Kari, Sorry I didn’t get the chance to respond until now. Thanks for the heads up on the racks! I did use the original racks I had listed without issues (no changes in the surface or coating), but decided to buy different ones to be on the safe side. I found ones I love even more now, and they are specifically designed for the oven. I updated the post with links to these better racks – you can find them here.
Angela Carlisle
0Have you ever tried it with turkey bacon? Wondering if it changes cook times or overall tastiness…
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Angela, Yes, I’ve made it with turkey bacon, too. It’s a little less flavorful since it has less fat, but is still very good! I did find that I had to reduce the baking time by a few minutes, so check on it a little earlier.
Linda
0Even better dipped in hollandaise sauce for a really decadent treat!
Patti
0Added a drizzle of maple syrup because I love maple and bacon together. 😉 Thanks for the easy recipe. Also, used vegetarian bacon (“fake” bacon) for the family vegetarians.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Yum, that sounds delicious!
Christina
0I got ahead of myself and didn’t read that I was supposed to drizzle with olive oil and season before wrapping in bacon. They didn’t need it at ALL but I did sprinkle the tips with garlic powder before popping in the oven. Next time I’ll lay parchment paper down on the cookie sheet before putting the rack on it so cleanup isn’t such a mess. Delicious!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you for the feedback, Christina! Great idea to lay down parchment or foil onto the cookie sheet below the rack.
Kerry Donlon
0What baking temp?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Kerry, The temperature is 400 degrees. I recommend also checking the post and recipe card for tips to make it extra crispy. 🙂
Nashaun Hall
0Do I need to season the asparagus with anything before wrapping?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Nashaun, Yes, you’ll want to toss it in olive oil with garlic salt (or sea salt) and black pepper. The instructions are on the recipe card, plus there are additional tips in the post above it.
Marie Czarnecki
0Maya, I don’t understand why people ask you crazy questions when it is all in the “RECIPE”, lazy or what? Your recipe was very clear.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0No problem, I’m happy to answer questions if people miss something. 🙂
Adriana
0Love asparagus and love bacon. Looking forward to trying this recipe… probably along with another recipe from here!
Cheryl
0Both my husband and I thought this was very delicious and so easy to prepare. Will definitely make again!
abountifullove
0Thank you for sharing this over at Healthy Living Link party. You are this week’s feature! You can grab a featured button and I hope to see you again. Pinned!
Sarah Bailey
0Oh my goodness this sounds absolutely amazing! I wonder what my other half would think, he loves bacon but I’m not sure about the asparagus!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Sarah! Give it a try, the bacon really shines in this one.
Amanda McMahon
0I like the idea of adding some tasty protein to asparagus. Nice to see this option!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thanks, Amanda! Yes, it’s a really balanced combination.
pamatiw
0This looks awesome. One of my sons just loves asparagus and I think he would love it wrapped in bacon.
Elizabeth O.
0This is such a crowd pleaser especially during parties! I don’t really eat meat but I like preparing this when we’re hosting parties at home. It’s easy to make and people love it!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Elizabeth! Yes, everyone seems to love this bacon wrapped asparagus!
Jeanine
0Wow this looks delicious. I have never tried anything like this before, but it looks super tasty. I bet it would be a great way to get my kids to eat more asparagus too!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Jeanine! Yes, it works great for kids. My daughter is only 15 months old and loves it!
Neely (@Neelykins)
0This sounds delicious! I love asparagus! So good!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Neely! Even better wrapped in bacon, right?
Mimi
0This is a delicious combination I hadn’t thought of, and have pinned for later. Am off to get a snack (your pics made me a little peckish).
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you so much, Mimi!
Brandy
0What an interesting recipe idea, thanks for sharing. I will have to try to make this!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Brandy! Let me know how you like it if you try it.
Nellwyn Lampert
0These look SO good! I’ve made a similar version with asparagus and prosciutto before, but this bacon looks even better!
Nellwyn | http://www.thecardinalpress.com
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Nellwyn! Great idea with prosciutto, too. I’ll have to try that.
abountifullove
0Stopping by from Bloggers Social Media Engagement. If I haven’t done so, I would love to invite you to share this over at #healthyliving link party!
DeAna
0I did this but I mixed a little brown sugar with cayenne pepper, pinch of garlic powder. Mix. Then I rolled the bacon wrapped asparagus in the mixture! When it’s done the bacon has a crunchy sweet n spicy coating! Yum.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0That sounds so delicious! I’d use Sukrin gold to make it sugar-free.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you! I’ll go check it out.
Khalon
0This was super helpful! I was halfway through making them with another recipe when I saw this, opened the oven, and realized my asparagus was sitting in bacon grease. I took them out and used the wire rack set-up, it saved my dish!
The Food Hunter
0You had me at bacon.
Maya
0Haha, I had myself at bacon too!
Maya
0I’m so glad that it was helpful, Khalon!