Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Bacon wrapped asparagus is the side dish that disappears first every single time. Crispy bacon, tender roasted spears, and only 20 minutes start to finish.

Oven Baked Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

I love roasted asparagus, but sometimes it’s fun to dress it up a bit. This bacon wrapped asparagus is the perfect way to do that. Oven baked bacon makes these absolutely mouth watering, and the flavors taste so good together!

These are one of my go-to sides because the spears pair perfectly with any dish and are always a crowd pleaser at a holiday meal or dinner party. They look fancy, everyone will be impressed, and the bacon even gets the kids to eat their asparagus!

Ingredient Notes

• Asparagus: Look for medium thickness spears. Too thin and they’ll overcook before the bacon has a chance to crisp up. Too thick and you’ll end up with undercooked asparagus.
• Bacon: Regular sliced bacon works best here, not thick cut. Thick cut takes longer to crisp and can leave the asparagus overdone by the time the bacon is ready. If you use fully cooked bacon (the Costco kind is great), it will get even crispier in the oven.

How to Cook Bacon Wrapped Asparagus in Oven

These are so easy to make with only about 5 minutes of prep. The one thing to remember is to cut the bacon in half lengthwise and leave a little room when wrapping so the bacon has space to cook and crisp up.

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Start by cutting each bacon strip in half down the middle to create 12 strips, then wrap one strip around each asparagus spear. Place them on the pan with the bacon ends facing down so they don’t unravel, season with salt and pepper, and bake for 20 minutes or until crispy.

Variations

• Balsamic: For a sweet and tangy twist, drizzle balsamic glaze over the top before serving. You can also mix 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and brush it onto the bacon before baking for a caramelized finish.
• Bundle style: Wrap the bacon around 3 to 5 spears instead of one for a heartier presentation. This is also the way to go if you’re taking these to the grill since bundles are much easier to flip. Secure with a toothpick, grill over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping a few times, until the bacon is crisp.
• Disneyland copycat: A fan favorite from Bengal BBQ at Disneyland. Cut both the asparagus and bacon into thirds, wrap each piece, and thread 5 to 6 pieces onto a skewer. Hit them with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and grill 5 to 7 minutes per side until crispy.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t skip trimming the ends. Asparagus has a tough woody end that needs to come off before cooking. Just bend the spear and it will naturally snap at the right spot.
• Medium spears are your best bet. Too thin and they’ll be overcooked before the bacon crisps up. Too thick and you’ll have the opposite problem.
• Place the bacon seam side down. This keeps it from unraveling in the oven and you won’t need any toothpicks.
• Seasonal. Asparagus is a spring vegetable so it’s at its best from March through June. That’s when you’ll find the freshest spears at the grocery store and farmers market, and when this recipe really shines.