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Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is a smoky and delicious side dish that will become a mealtime staple. Each bundle is coated with maple syrup for a caramel flavor you won’t want to put down!
Honestly…bacon makes everything better. For an even tastier side dish, try bacon-wrapped carrots, dates or chestnuts!
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
I’m excited to share this popular bacon-asparagus dish made with just six ingredients. When it comes to roasted vegetables, it’s one of my favorites. Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables on its own, but it’s even better when wrapped in a juicy slab of bacon. It’s a popular appetizer or side dish that often steals the show!
There are two challenges with making bacon-wrapped vegetables. First, the bacon strips were cooked on the outside but didn’t have the same crispy texture on the inside. Second, the asparagus spears were cooked too quickly in the high heat oven before the bacon was done, resulting in dry bundles. I found the right solution to improve both of these issues and it turned out great! Stay tuned for the perfect bacon-wrapped asparagus, made even better with a delicious maple glaze! This is a dish that everyone will love.
materials needed
You only need a few simple ingredients to create a delicious side dish. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is so hearty and flavorful, you’ll want to serve it with your favorite meals! NOTE: Exact measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.
- olive oil: Olive oil adds a rich, smooth flavor to dishes and also helps keep bacon-wrapped asparagus from sticking to the pan.
- Pure Maple Syrup: Maple syrup brings a hint of sweetness to the glaze, which complements the saltiness of the bacon and asparagus.
- garlic salt: Adds delicious salty and garlicky flavor to dishes.
- Black pepper: For added flavor. Adjust the amount of black pepper according to how spicy you like it.
- Thick Cut Bacon: Because let’s be honest, Bacon is the star of the show. It adds a salty, smoky and crunchy element to the dish.
- fresh asparagus spear: Asparagus goes perfectly with bacon. Be sure to trim off the woody ends of the asparagus before using.
- kosher salt: Kosher salt is used to season asparagus and enhance its natural flavor. You can adjust the amount of salt to your taste preference.
Tips for Picking Asparagus
Asparagus can usually be found year-round, however, keep an eye out for peak season from March to June. When picking out asparagus, make sure they are bright green, firm, and the tips should be firm and purplish.
How to Make the Best Bacon Asparagus
This is one of my favorite side dishes to make because it tastes like something from a fancy steakhouse. Plus, it only takes 30 minutes to make! You’ll want to eat this bacon-wrapped goodness with every meal.
precooked bacon
- Preheat oven: Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 400°F.
- Prepare the pan: Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
- Add the bacon: Spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange 5 slices of bacon evenly on the pan.
- bake: Bake until bacon is just beginning to shrink and turn a reddish color but is still springy, about 5 minutes, depending on thickness. The bacon should not be perfectly crisp or it will break when wrapping the asparagus.
- Maple Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, maple syrup, garlic salt, and black pepper.
- Brush with maple wood mixture: Remove bacon from oven and brush both sides with maple syrup mixture. Bake the bacon for an additional 3 minutes.
- Cool: Let the bacon cool until it is easy to handle with your fingers. Divide asparagus into five equal portions.
Preparing Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- wrap: On a cutting board, wrap a slice of medium-cooked bacon around the length of the asparagus.
- To prepare the bacon-wrapped asparagus: Secure the bacon with a toothpick. Carefully place the bundle on the grill. Generously brush both sides of bacon-wrapped asparagus with maple syrup mixture. Season each bundle lightly with salt and pepper.
- To bake, add more glaze: Roast bacon-asparagus bunches for 10 minutes, remove from oven, and brush maple mixture over bacon.
- To bake: Roast 5 minutes, or until bacon is browned and crisp and asparagus is tender.
- Serve: Remove the toothpicks and serve the bacon-wrapped asparagus while warm.
cooking skills
To ensure your bacon-wrapped asparagus is perfect, keep the following in mind.
- To precook the bacon: A critical step is cooking the bacon before it is wrapped. Use thick-cut slices of bacon that are easy to handle after precooking since it won’t be too thin and crumbly. It also doesn’t get crispy too quickly and is pliable when wrapping asparagus bunches.
- Adjust cooking time: Roast the bacon slices for a few minutes until just cooked through and tender. Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the bacon, so be sure to use your instincts, times are only a guideline.
- Don’t skip the glaze: The maple glaze is one of the best things about this recipe. It adds a delicious caramel flavor. If you don’t have maple syrup, honey or brown sugar will work too! The trick to caramelizing the asparagus and bacon is to add more maple mixture to the bundle at the beginning of the cooking process and again towards the end.
store leftovers
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is best eaten fresh and warm, but you can also keep the asparagus wraps in the freezer if you have leftovers.
- in the refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat in the oven to keep the bacon crispy. 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit should do the trick!
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Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
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Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
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Spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray.
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Arrange 5 slices of bacon evenly on the pan.
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Bake until bacon is just beginning to shrink and turn a reddish color but is still springy, about 5 minutes, depending on thickness. The bacon should not be perfectly crisp or it will break when wrapping the asparagus.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, maple syrup, garlic, and black pepper.
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Remove bacon from oven and brush both sides with maple syrup mixture. Bake the bacon for an additional 3 minutes.
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Let the bacon cool until it is easy to handle with your fingers. Divide asparagus into five equal portions.
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On a cutting board, wrap a slice of medium-cooked bacon around the length of the asparagus.
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Secure the bacon with a toothpick. Carefully place the bundle on the grill. Generously brush both sides of bacon-wrapped asparagus with maple syrup mixture.
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Season each bundle lightly with salt and pepper.
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Roast asparagus bunches for 10 minutes, remove from oven, and brush maple mixture over bacon.
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Roast 5 minutes, or until bacon is browned and crisp and asparagus is tender.
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Remove the toothpicks and serve the bacon-wrapped asparagus while warm.
Updated on June 12, 2023
supply: 6
calories239kcal (12%)carbohydrate12G (4%)protein5G (10%)fat19G (29%)Saturated fat5G (25%)cholesterol20mg (7%)sodium201mg (8%)Potassium242mg (7%)fiber2G (8%)sugar9G (10%)Vitamin A583unit (12%)Vitamin C4mg (5%)calcium33mg (3%)iron2mg (11%)
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is an estimate only. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brand you use, your measurements, and the serving sizes for each family.