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Get It NowTwo perfect foods come together with this bacon wrapped asparagus recipe in the oven! If you love bacon-y main dishes like bacon wrapped dates or bacon wrapped chicken tenders, you’ll enjoy asparagus wrapped in bacon as a healthy appetizer too. I’ll show you how to make wrapped asparagus in bacon that gets perfectly crispy every time, plus the best way to make it ahead of time for entertaining.
With other bacon asparagus recipes, I’ve noticed that often times the asparagus is soft before the bacon has had the chance to crisp up. I was on a mission to avoid this, and discovered that the trick is similar to my foolproof crispy bacon in the oven. Although oven baked asparagus tastes great on its own, properly cooked bacon takes the flavor to the next level.
Why You’ll Love This Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for asparagus wrapped in bacon, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Asparagus – Look for smooth, firm, and brightly colored fresh asparagus spears. Medium to thick spears work best for bacon wrapped asparagus, as they are less prone to overcooking by the time the bacon is done.
- Bacon – Center cut bacon works the best for appearance, but any bacon will work. Avoid thick cut bacon, which will take too long to get crispy, causing the asparagus to be limp and soggy.
- Olive Oil – I use extra virgin olive oil for flavor, but use your favorite cooking oil. You just need enough for seasonings to stick.
- Seasonings – Garlic salt and black pepper. If you don’t have garlic salt, you can easily substitute garlic powder and salt separately.
VARIATION: Want to add extra flavor?
Try these extra options to enhance this asparagus and bacon appetizer:
- A sprinkle of brown sugar (conventional or a sugar free brown sugar substitute) before baking. (You’ll need to skip or reduce the broiling time, so sugar does not burn.)
- Parmesan cheese (before or after baking)
- A drizzle of balsamic glaze or honey (I use sugar-free honey) for finishing
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Asparagus In The Oven
This section shows how to cook bacon wrapped asparagus in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Prep. Trim woody ends of asparagus. Cut bacon lengthwise into narrower strips.
- Season. Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil. Season with garlic salt and black pepper.
- Wrap. Wrap the bacon tightly around asparagus stalk. Place seam side down on a cookie sheet with a wire rack.
VARIATION: Make asparagus bundles!
I prefer individually wrapped asparagus because they are easier to eat as an appetizer and you get more bacon in every bite. But if you prefer, you can wrap 4-6 spears at a time in a slice of bacon. (When wrapping each bundle, follow the same tips below.) The cook time will be about the same.
- Bake. Bake asparagus bacon recipe, flipping halfway though, until bacon is nearly crispy.
- Broil. Until bacon is fully crisped.
How Long To Cook Bacon Wrapped Asparagus?
How long to bake bacon wrapped asparagus will depend on several factors, including bacon thickness, color of your pan and rack, and oven temperature. On average, it takes about 15 to 20 minutes at 400 degrees F, plus another couple minutes under the broiler to crisp up the bacon (highly recommended!).
Tips For The Best Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Go light on the salt and oil. The bacon is already salty and has plenty of fat, so we only need enough oil for the seasonings to stick and just a bit of garlic salt.
- Avoid overlapping bacon too much. You want the edges of the bacon strip to overlap as little as possible. The bacon will shrink during cooking, creating a pinstripe pattern. This will help create more air flow around it, which is what you want for extra crispiness.
- Use a wire rack. Instead of a regular baking sheet, use a wire rack on top of a cookie sheet. (I like this one – it’s non-stick, so easy to clean.) Again, it helps with that whole air flow thing. As a bonus, this lets some of the extra fat drip down from the bacon during baking, making it more crispy. (I do the same for the crispiest oven baked bacon on its own.)
- Broil, but monitor closely. This step is important for the bacon to get crisp. Just keep an eye on it because the bacon can go from crisp to burned fast!
Alternate Cooking Methods
- Grill – Preheat the grill over medium-high heat, then cook over direct heat (covered) for a total of 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the bacon is crispy.
- Air Fryer – Follow the bacon wrapped asparagus recipe above as written, but instead of the oven, cook in the air fryer. Arrange the pieces in the basket in a single layer and cook for 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees F, flipping halfway through.
- Stovetop – I don’t like this method because it’s more fuss, but asparagus wrapped in bacon can be cooked on the stove. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until the bacon is crispy.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Although this recipe tastes best fresh (and you probably won’t have leftovers!), you can store this dish in the fridge for 4-5 days.
- Meal prep: Assemble asparagus, cover, and refrigerate for up to 1-2 days, until ready to bake. Avoid baking them ahead of time, as they can get soggy.
- Reheat: Broil until crisp and heated through.
- Freeze: Avoid freezing this recipe, as it will get mushy.
More Easy Asparagus Recipes
So many delicious ways to prep this veggie! Try it in these easy recipes next time.
Recommended Tools
- Baking Sheet With Wire Rack – My go-to pan set for this recipe.
- Extra Large Baking Sheet Set – Making a big batch of wrapped asparagus? This set is the perfect size and has a larger rack to go with it.
Easy Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe in the Oven
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus (Super Crispy!)
This bacon wrapped asparagus recipe in the oven includes tips to make it extra CRISPY. Asparagus wrapped in bacon takes less than 30 minutes!
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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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) onto a cookie sheet.
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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, only slightly overlapping 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 5-10 minutes more, until the bacon is almost crispy. Set the oven to broil, then place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to crisp up more.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 4 pieces
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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215 Comments
Kara
0I’m always on the lookout for new ways to serve vegetables that are low carb. This is a new favorite!!
Jennifer
0It took me a while to work out what a broiler was. lol in Australia we call it a grill. Thank you, so easy yet so good. 👍
Star
0Easy to make, delicious and great for low carb eating.
Kristy
0I cooked it about 5-10 minutes longer since I love my bacon crispy but this was so good! Always a solid combo.
Susan Perez
0This was absolutely delicious and very quick and easy to make! I will definitely make this again!
Kim
0This! Easy and delicious! Not to mention what wonderful flavors!!!
Yata
0They came out nicely, but I sautéed/ fryed mine in a frying pan on top of the stove bc the oven took to long to cook the bacon at 350F. They were delicious & my kids loved them!
Cheryl
0My husband made these last night and they were DELICIOUS. The bacon was perfectly crispy and the asparagus was almost like a creamy texture which we loved. This is our new go to snack/side dish!
Bonnie Garland
0Looks like a great side dish. Only question when using a foil lined baking sheet then putting it in the oven under the broiler will the grease from the bacon smoke or flare up? I rarely use the broiler so rather know before my smoke alarm goes off when I open the door or worse yet see a flame. Thank you in advance for your reply.
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Bonnie, The bacon will cook in the oven during the first 20-25 minutes. When you move it in position to use the broiler, it shouldn’t spit as it’s already cooked through.
Vicki W
0So good we ate the whole pan.
Amy Huntley
0I have never thought of putting bacon and asparagus together. I am so excited to try this! It looks delicious!
Kristyn
0My favorite side with so many things!! Who am I kidding, I like making some just to eat! The bacon adds a nice crunch & flavor to the asparagus!
Natalie
0Love bacon wrapped asparagus! This is such an easy & quick to put together side! Bacon wrapped anything is always a favorite!
Scotty Irish
0Your recipe was a go-to over Rachael Ray, so that ought to tell you I have more respect for you on your own than a hack with an army of minions who write and test these recipes on their own. I loved your recipe, and have used it, however in order to allow for ‘bundled’ asparagus recipe with bacon, I found that par-oven baking for 10-12 minutes helped with trying to keep the asparagus nice and crisp while still getting the bacon crisp as well. I used five spears per bundle, wrapping them all in two pieces of bacon. I never care if my guests ‘brag’ or ‘rave’ on my food, I take the ultimate comfort in seeing them finish them and point and talk amongst themselves! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Energy Mom
0My daughters normally don’t eat asparagus but they loved it and finished everything!
Connie Sheorn
0Delicious! I even baked them a tad longer for extra extra crispiness – and that was so worth it. I cut the bacon with kitchen shears. Do you know a shortcut?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Connie, That’s a great method! I don’t have any alternatives to kitchen shears or a knife. Enjoy!
JoeBob
0Bacon cooked to cardboard texture doesn’t do it for everyone.
Nichole
0So excited to try this for dinner!!!
Donna
0I absolutely love this recipe so easy and quick to make. My daughter is on keto so this is a perfect little extra side dish that she really loves too and my son-in-law.
John Cassidy
0Only problem I didn’t make enough they were gone in about 5 minutes. Awesome
Joyce
0I absolutely LOVE this recipe! My husband is not a vegetable lover but he said I could make these anytime! I only have one suggestion for those who don’t want to clean-up… I line my cookie sheet with parchment paper. Makes cleanup a breeze!
Jenn
0Beautiful and perfect appetizer- I made it today for the Super Bowl and it came out great on the first try. I did use a tray and did not flip them over because they were unwrapping when I tried that. Thank you!
Pattie B
0Hi! Can I use organic frozen asparagus?! Thoughts? Precook bacon halfway? Thank you!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Pattie, I haven’t tried it with frozen asparagus. If anything the cook time might be longer so I don’t think you’d want to precook the bacon.
Chandler Nason
0Made this last night – very good. Doubled the broiler time for crispier bacon.
Neisa Janner
0These were really easy and tasty – but, the asparagus get too soft. Is there any way to get the bacon done without the asparagus getting so soft? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you!
Wholesome Yum A
0Hi Neisa, you could partially cook your bacon before wrapping the asparagus.
Carolyn
0Soooooo Good and easy!
Christine Williams
0Hi there! Very interested in your recipe books! How do I order some?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Christine, Thank you so much!! You can order The Wholesome Yum Easy Keto Cookbook (hardcover) here and the 30 Dinners in 30 Minutes ebook here. Hope you love both of them!
Rosemary Wieliczko
0I love your recipes. They are so creative. My issue is with your website site. The feed is too slow as I find myself waiting continally. I have a fairly fast computer and internet speed so I took it to the geeks and they said it was due to the ad feeds. Please monitor as it’s too frustrating.
But ending on a positive note your stories are interting and love you tips.
Sheila Dekker
0I just found this Bacon Wrap Asparagus Recipe…. easy to make and delicious!
Jen
0This was so delicious! Who thought asparagus could actually be so good and so easy to make! I made them as a side with egg muffins for breakfast and loved them. Will be making this more often in the future! Thank you 🙂
Chaya
0Can I make this a day in advance and eat cold the next day?
Wholesome Yum
0Hi Chaya, it may not be as crispy but it will still taste great!
Nancy
0looks yummy could you do in air fryer? I tried reading all the comments to see if the question had been asked but gave up when I realized that I had gone all the way back to Dec 2017! time and temp if possible to do in air fryer
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Nancy, Yes, you definitely can but I haven’t done official testing to give an exact time for the air fryer.
Alysha
0Sooooooooooo I made it, I love it, but I smoke up my house every time. How do I not do that? Lol
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m so glad to hear that, Alysha! If the oven is smoking, it’s likely that there are food bits burning on the heating element or somewhere else in the oven (not the pan itself), so a thorough cleaning should take care of it.
Alicia
0Can you use frozen asparagus?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Alicia, Yes, you can, but the texture is better fresh. The baking time would be a bit longer for frozen asparagus.
Teri Rice
0THANKS SO MUCH FOR YHUS DELICIOUS QUICK RECIPE!!! My grandkids asked me to make it EVERYDAY… it was that GOOD!!!! btw it’s EASY PEASY!!!! Can’t wait to try more of your recipes & the video & hints EXTRA HELPFUL! Again thanks!!!
Yang
0Love bacon wrapped asparagus! I usually make them in the frying pan, will try the oven next.
Katie
0I’ve had this before and it’s SO good!!! Can’t wait to make it again.
Anne Lawton
0I love bacon and asparagus and I loved it when I tried it so I am definitely going to add these to my recipe list!
Megan Stevens
0I’m super glad for all your experience and tips so I don’t have to flub it up the first time I make these. So yummy and fun!
Zuzana
0Just perfect for us, want to make it again! Hungry already
Kathryn
0My favorite foods together! Excited to have this recipe again!
Hope
0These is so simple but so tasty – perfect for entertaining!
Jelka
0Made these last night. Great flavour, easy to make. What more could I want?
Kelly
0You had me at bacon! Yum, this is fab!
Paleoglutenfreeguy
0So little effort for so much reward! Wrapping veggies in bacon: brilliant.
Raia Todd
0You really can’t go wrong wrapping something in bacon…
Joni Gomes
0I’m so happy it’s finally asparagus season so I can make this!!
Mira
0What’s not to love when it includes bacon AND vegetables. This is the perfect party platter!
Jean
0I love bacon wrapped asparagus and this recipe comes out so perfectly cooked!
Leslie-Anne
0One of the best spring paleo appetizers for sure! Good tips, too!
Cheryl Malik
0These are so good!!