This Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus changed the game for me, and it can do the same for you in just half an hour!
I am a proud veggie lover, and I always have been. I was never the kid that grudgingly pushed her sides around on the plate, or said “yuck!” at the mention of anything green. No, I was the kid who was always snacking on baby carrots at recess, and requesting a combination of broccoli and cauliflower with dinner because she couldn’t choose between the two.
But as much as I’ve always loved vegetables, I’ve pretty much always despised asparagus. I’m not sure what it was, but those crunchy green sticks have never quite done it for me. Until now, that is. This recipe for bacon-wrapped asparagus totally changed the side dish game for me, and it only took half an hour to make it happen!
I know, I know, what dish wouldn’t taste better wrapped in bacon? But seriously, this recipe tops all the other bacon-lover dishes out there. Bacon-wrapped asparagus isn’t just delicious, it’s also so fast and easy to make alongside any dinner! The ingredient list is in the name—just gather some fresh asparagus spears, some slices of bacon, and a little salt and pepper to bring this crispy, crunchy side dish to life. After you wrap and season your asparagus, just pop it in the oven while you prepare your main course, and you’ll have a complete dinner in no time.
Is Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Healthy?
Even wrapped in bacon, this recipe is a mostly healthy choice for snacking or serving alongside your entrées. Asparagus is an excellent vegetable to incorporate into your diet, because it’s full of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. Bacon adds its signature salty, delicious indulgence to this dish, but it’s best enjoyed in moderation due to its fat and sodium content. If you’re looking for a lighter option, turkey bacon can be a great alternative to traditional pork bacon. The texture, of course, will be slightly different.
Impress Your Guests With A Maple Glaze
This bacon-wrapped asparagus makes for the perfect appetizer for dinner parties or gatherings. You can just pop them in the oven before guests arrive, and greet them with a tasty and delicious snack.
But if you really want to take things up a notch and impress your guests, try enhancing your bacon-wrapped asparagus with a maple glaze. In a small mixing bowl, combine maple syrup, cinnamon, paprika, black pepper, and nutmeg to create a sweet, spiced sauce. Brush the glaze over your bacon before baking, and voilà! Your guests will enjoy an elevated version of this classic app.
INGREDIENTS
- 16 asparagus spears, washed and trimmed
- 8 slices of bacon, cut in half lengthwise
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Finely grated Parmesan cheese for garnish, optional
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Preheat oven, prepare asparagus, and wrap with bacon.
Bake
Season and bake until crispy. Garnish with Parmesan if using.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
You can prepare bacon-wrapped asparagus up to 24 hours in advance. Trim and wrap the asparagus, then refrigerate them on a lined baking sheet. When ready, let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking. You can refrigerate leftover bacon-wrapped asparagus in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat at 350°F for 5–10 minutes if needed. I don’t recommend freezing this dish.
Sometimes it’s hard to achieve crispy bacon when it’s wrapped around a veggie, rather than lying flat. In order to achieve the perfect crunchiness, try these two things. First, coat your asparagus in a thin layer of olive oil before wrapping the bacon around the spears, and then put your bacon-wrapped asparagus in the oven as it’s preheating to allow the bacon fat to render.
You should always soak your asparagus for 5-10 minutes in water before cooking this vegetable. Sand can become lodged inside the asparagus tips, so swish the spears around in water to make sure it’s all cleaned out.
Serving Suggestions
Bacon-wrapped asparagus is perfect for party platters served alongside other warm and rich appetizers like Stuffed Mushrooms, Smoked Cream Cheese with crackers, and Grilled Jalapeño Poppers. If you’re making bacon-wrapped asparagus for a smaller group, or even for yourself, serve this dish as a side with Broiled Pork Chops or Pan-Fried Chicken Thighs. It also goes great with Blackened Salmon.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 16 asparagus spears washed and trimmed
- 8 slices of bacon cut in half lengthwise
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Finely grated Parmesan cheese for garnish optional
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400°F.
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Wrap a strip of bacon around each asparagus spear, starting from the bottom up to the tip.
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Arrange the bacon-wrapped asparagus on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Season with salt and black pepper.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and asparagus is tender. Sprinkle with Parmesan if using.
Nutrition Info:
Calories: 196kcal (10%) Carbohydrates: 3g (1%) Protein: 7g (14%) Fat: 18g (28%) Saturated Fat: 6g (38%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g Monounsaturated Fat: 8g Trans Fat: 0.1g Cholesterol: 29mg (10%) Sodium: 293mg (13%) Potassium: 216mg (6%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 500IU (10%) Vitamin C: 4mg (5%) Calcium: 18mg (2%) Iron: 2mg (11%)
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational
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