Bacon-wrapped asparagus is an umami-filled way to enjoy a springtime bounty of bright green spears. Cooking it in an air fryer or roasting the dish in the oven creates a sweet, crispy bite with a unique combination of flavors. Bitter, sweet, and salty, it's also simple and quick. True deliciousness, and an asparagus recipe that's ready in less than thirty minutes.
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The Story
Eating bacon and asparagus together is not a modern concept. The notion of cured pork belly predates even medieval times. And as for asparagus, the 2,000-year-old pungent vegetable in the onion family begs for the balancing flavors smoky, salty pork provides. It's a classic dish enjoyed by generations of asparagus fans and bacon lovers, alike. And be honest, you know which camp you're in.
The best part about this family favorite is that it's an especially easy side dish when cooked in an air fryer. And a kindergartener can do the prep work. If you don't have or don't want an air fryer, the process is the same when using the oven. Or even out on the grill while enjoying the May flowers.
The Ingredients
Bacon. Asparagus. That's all, friends. As with all cooking, a bit of oil and salt are entirely appropriate.
- fresh asparagus, trimmed, peeling optional
- thin to medium-thick slices of bacon
- avocado oil (or other high-heat cooking oil)
- kosher salt (chef's favorite, flake sea salt or iodized salt are fine, too)
- black pepper, optional
Look for thin asparagus stalks that are smooth, lack cracks, and have closely-knit tips. Store the bundle in a jar or cup of shallow water in the refrigerator until you cook them. You can also wrap the asparagus in damp paper towels and seal them in an air-tight container or plastic zipper bag. For more on how to clean, store and cook asparagus, join me down that particular rabbit hole here.
Buying Bacon
Bacon is, quite honestly, one of the worst foods for longevity and health. But everything in moderation, right?
Look for bacon labeled "uncured" if possible. While this kind of bacon deceitfully contains the same level of nitrates as regular bacon, many nitrate-free brands use fewer preservatives and mystery ingredients.
Organic bacon from heritage pork producers would be the gold standard. Heritage pork is raised in the same vein as pastured beef and chicken. The animals roam free, eat a natural diet, and aren't given therapeutic antibiotics or growth hormones.
And while thick-cut bacon is what brunch so hard dreams are made of, it would not be the best choice. Especially with thinner asparagus spears from a younger plant, the tips may burn before the bacon is fully cooked. Choose an average thickness cut of bacon for best results.
Equipment
Classically, bacon-wrapped asparagus is a dish cooked in a high-heat oven. But modern culinary technology can do just as well with less mess if you own an air fryer. Just don't forget to grease the basket.
If you own a sheet pan and a rack that fits inside of it, this is the best oven technique for allowing the hot air to crisp all sides of the bundles. No soggy bacon bottoms allowed! This is one problem the air fryer prevents thanks to its perforated cooking basket and convection heating (hot air circulation).
The Formula
For a nice ratio of asparagus to bacon, wrap no more than five thin spears in one strip of bacon. If your asparagus is rather thick and sinewy, trim the woody ends off. Then with a vegetable peeler, remove the skin from the bottom half of the stems. Wrap no more than three thicker spears in one bacon strip.
Bacon-to-Asparagus Ratio
3 to 5 trimmed asparagus spears + 1 strip of bacon
The Method
Whether you cook the asparagus bundles in an air fryer or the oven, the preparation process is the same. Season and oil the asparagus well and create same-size bundles. Then be sure to cook them in a single layer with ample space between each one. If you don't have a large air fryer, you will want to cook in batches.
If your stalks are particularly thick, you may want to cook longer at a lower air fryer temperature. This will allow the asparagus to cook through without burning the delicate tips or bacon strips. The same goes if you're using an oven. Drop the temperature by about fifteen degrees and add five to ten minutes of cook time.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375° F, or an oven to 400° F.
- Grease the air fryer basket with high-heat spray oil. Or for the oven, line a baking pan with parchment paper or foil and grease it. If you own a cooling rack, set it inside the sheet pan.
- Wash and dry the asparagus well. Cut the woody stem off the bottom, and for thicker stalks trim away an inch or two from the base. To do this without taking off more than necessary, snap one spear by holding it below the tip and at the bottom, then bending it gently until it snaps. Place it next to the rest, and trim them all to the same length as the snapped spear.
- Divide the spears into groups of three to five, depending on thickness.
- Take a piece of bacon and lay it flat on your cutting board on a diagonal. Place one group of asparagus an inch from one end of the bacon. Wrap the end of the bacon strip around the top, and roll to bundle it all up. Repeat with the remaining groups of asparagus. Shift the asparagus slightly with every roll to cover as much of the stems as possible. This will give you as many bites as possible with crispy bacon!
- Using a pastry brush or drizzling with a spoon, lightly oil the exposed sections of the asparagus spears. Sprinkle with just a little bit of salt.
- Place the bundles in the air fryer basket or on the pan/rack, leaving at least an inch between each one.
- Cook the bundles until the asparagus stems are fork-tender, and the bacon is a rich brown color and crispy. Begin checking the bundles for doneness after ten minutes. Thicker asparagus may take 15 minutes of cooking time in the air fryer to become tender. In an oven, cook the bundles for 20 to 30 minutes.
Seasonings
Bacon-wrapped asparagus is delicious drizzled with a bit of olive oil and a sprinkling of salt on the spears before wrapping. But adding ground spices to this simple recipe is an easy way to add more flavor. Ground onion and garlic powder are pantry staples that complement this dynamic duo without stealing the show.
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- chili powders: classic, ancho, or chipotle
- cayenne pepper
- dried red pepper flakes
- sweet or smoky paprika (pimentón)
- ground yellow mustard seed
- dried parsley or oregano
Fresh chives, scallions, parsley, thyme, or even thin peels of Parmesan cheese are beautiful garnishes if you're hosting a dinner party.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers (yeah, right) in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can certainly reheat the asparagus bundles in the air fryer or the oven. I like a temperature of 350° F, regardless of which you choose. Five minutes is usually enough to get the bundles nice and hot.
Diet Variations
Bacon-wrapped asparagus, while certainly not vegan or vegetarian, are naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and safe for paleo, low-carb, and ketogenic diets.
Word of warning, always check the label on your bacon to be sure. Some curing blends will contain the wheat-based sugar dextrose. This is mostly a cause of concern for celiac patients on a strict gluten-free diet.
You can certainly bundle the asparagus in plant-based bacon for a vegan or vegetarian dish. But the cooking temperature and time may require a bit of experimentation. For a plant-based dish, cooking at a lower temperature is a safer bet. Plant-based products by nature don't tolerate high heat as well as natural meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Turkey bacon is a healthier alternative to traditional bacon with much less saturated fat. The poultry-based bacon will still contain preservatives and heavy doses of curing salt, so look for organic and/or pastured brands for the best selection.
Let's be honest, you're eating bacon. Regardless of how you cook it, the processed, cured pork belly isn't the stuff good health is made of. But cooking methods do affect the nutritional value of the dish, and the air fryer is no exception.
Because the grated fryer basket allows excess bacon fat to drip away, you will likely consume less saturated fat than you would otherwise. But the difference is potentially negligible. The same end can also be accomplished if you cook bacon in the oven on a rack over a sheet pan. Any method that allows excess fat to drip away during cooking will result in fewer overall calories.
Edible Epilogue
If you really want to enjoy yourself, wrap each bundle in two strips of bacon. But you didn't hear it from me.
A shout out to my lovely friend Anne who lent me her air fryer for research purposes! For daily inspiration on life, love, family, and faith, check out her podcast, Pebbles of Light.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-30 minutes, depending on method
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Air Fryer or Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
An easy, indulgent, and even keto-friendly side dish for any dinner. What I love about the air fryer method is that it's insanely quick and incredibly simple. But you can also easily cook bacon-wrapped asparagus in the oven. Both methods are explained below.
Fresh chives, scallions, parsley, thyme, or even thin peels or shreds of Parmesan are lovely garnishes if you're hosting a dinner party. For a simple, bright, and fresh finish, squeeze a little fresh lemon juice and a small drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
Ingredients
- High-heat spray oil
- 1 bunch of asparagus (14-18 individual spears)
- 1 strip of bacon for every three or four asparagus spears (a pound or standard package is usually plenty)
- Avocado oil or olive oil (or both)
- ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
- Ground black pepper, optional
Instructions
Before you begin gather your ingredients, clean and dry the asparagus, and collect your tools. Preheat your air fryer to 375° F or the oven to 400° F. Get everything in place.
- Grease the air fryer basket with high-heat spray oil. Or for the oven, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and grease it. If you own a cooling rack, set it inside the sheet pan.
- Cut the woody stems off the bottom of all the asparagus. For thicker stalks, trim away an inch or two from the base. To do this without taking off more than necessary, snap one spear by holding it below the tip and at the bottom, then bending it gently until it snaps. Place it next to the rest, and trim them all to the same length as the snapped spear.
- Divide the spears into groups of three to five, depending on thickness.
- Take a piece of bacon and lay it flat on your cutting board on a diagonal. Place one group of asparagus an inch from one end of the bacon. Wrap the end of the bacon strip around the top, and roll to bundle it all up. Shift the asparagus slightly with every roll to spread the bacon strip across as much of the stems as possible. This will give you as many bites as possible with crispy bacon!
- Using a pastry brush or drizzling with a small spoon, lightly oil the exposed sections of the asparagus spears. Sprinkle with just a little bit of salt and ground pepper, if you like.
- Place the bundle in the fryer basket or on the sheet pan with the exposed end of the bacon down.
- Repeat with the remaining groups of asparagus. Leave at least an inch of space between each bundle in the basket or on the pan. Cook in batches, if necessary.
- Cook the bundles until the asparagus stems are fork-tender, and the bacon is a rich brown color and crispy. Begin checking for doneness after ten minutes. Thicker asparagus may take 15 minutes in the air fryer to become tender. In an oven, cook the bundles for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs, lemon juice, or a small amount of olive oil.
Notes
On temperature... If you are cooking particularly thick asparagus, you may find cooking longer at ten or fifteen degrees lower is better. A slightly lower temperature will allow the stems of the asparagus to cook through without burning the tips or the bacon. This is true whether cooking in an air fryer or the oven.
On reheating... Store any leftovers (yeah, right) in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can certainly reheat the asparagus bundles in the air fryer or the oven. I like a temperature of 350° F, regardless of which you choose. Five minutes is usually enough to get the bundles nice and hot.
Dietary Variations
Bacon-wrapped asparagus are naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and safe for paleo, low-carb, and ketogenic diets. Always check the label on your bacon to be sure of the ingredients. Some curing blends will contain a wheat-based sugar, dextrose. This is mostly a cause of concern for celiac patients on a strict gluten-free diet.
You can certainly use turkey bacon. Or a plant-based "bacon" for a vegan or vegetarian dish. But the cooking temperature and time may require a bit of experimentation. For a plant-based dish, cooking at a lower temperature is a safer bet. Plant-based products by nature don't always tolerate high heat as well as meat.
Nutrition Information
The Nutrition Information below is based on five bacon-wrapped bundles with three asparagus and one bacon strip each, a couple of tablespoons of avocado oil, and half of a teaspoon of salt.
Keywords: air fryer bacon-wrapped asparagus, side dish recipe, asparagus recipe, bacon-wrapped asparagus in the oven
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