This fantastic air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus is a simple but tasty snack, appetizer, or side dish. Irresistibly delicious, easy to make, and pairs perfectly with any entree.
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Why you'll love it
- Quick and easy side dish or appetizer recipe - prepare it with only 5 minutes of work!
- Adjust the seasoning to suit your preferences.
- Pairs well with practically any main course.
- A great way to enjoy fresh, seasonal asparagus.
- The combination of salty bacon and sweet maple syrup is amazing.
- Lots of variations available! Make it vegetarian, low carb, keto as needed.
- Gluten free, dairy free and nut free recipe.
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Ingredients
Asparagus: Use raw asparagus. They are best when in spring when they are in season! I don't recommend using frozen or canned asparagus for this recipe, as they will have a very different texture.
Bacon: The salty bacon complements the asparagus so well. I use regular bacon strips, but you can also try turkey bacon or vegetarian bacon for a healthier alternative.
Olive oil: Keeps the asparagus and bacon juicy, and gives them a great texture.
Maple syrup: The sugar in the syrup makes the bacon extra crispy. I love the combination of maple syrup and bacon, but you can also use brown sugar or honey instead.
Seasoning: The seasoning honestly makes this recipe! I use black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can also add a pinch of salt if you wish.
Instructions
You can find full instructions + ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this page
One: Wash the asparagus, and break off the tough ends at the bottom. Wrap them tightly in bacon strips. You can either wrap the asparagus individually or in bundles of 3-5 asparagus spears.
Two: Combine the maple syrup, olive oil, and seasoning in a bowl to create a glaze.
Three: Use a pastry brush or the back of a spoon to brush the maple syrup glaze onto the asparagus and bacon bundles. Make sure to cover all sides thoroughly, including the bottom.
Four: Place the asparagus with bacon in an air fryer basket. Air fry at 360 F / 180 C for about 10 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy. Flip the asparagus bundles halfway through cooking to allow them to cook evenly.
Top tips
- Wrap the bacon strips tightly around the asparagus to prevent the bundles from falling apart.
- The exact cooking time can vary depending on how fast your air fryer heats up. Keep an eye on the food while it cooks.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning to taste. You can use any spices or herbs that you like.
- Avoid stacking bacon wrapped asparagus on top of each other in the air fryer basket, and leave some space in between each piece. You might have to cook these in several batches if your air fryer is quite small.
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Serving suggestions
Bacon wrapped asparagus tastes so good, I could easily eat them as a snack! The combination of crispy, salty, and sweet is incredible, and pairs with essentially any entree.
I love to serve these as a quick and simple appetizer, maybe paired with a nice sauce or dip.
You can also serve it as a tasty side dish. I like to pair them with Instant Pot Pork Chops and Rice, Herbed Lemon Butter Cod, Salmon Gnocchi, or Turkey Steaks.
Variations
Different sauce: Instead of making your own maple syrup glaze, you can use any other marinade that you like. You can also use a storebought sauce or glaze, for example, teriyaki sauce or chicken marinade.
Change the seasoning: Feel free to adjust the seasoning to taste. You can omit the cayenne pepper to make a milder version of the dish. Add any dried herbs like sage, oregano, basil, thyme, or parsley if you want. Onion powder, cumin, and smoked paprika can also be excellent additions.
Reduced calories: Use low-fat bacon or turkey bacon. Reduce the amount of olive oil used, and omit the maple syrup.
Equipment
To make this recipe, you will need a pastry brush and a small whisk or spoon.
The asparagus bacon bites are cooked in a single layer in an air fryer. Use a large air fryer, or alternatively a convection oven if you want to cook a big batch of these.
Storage
Store any leftover air fried bacon wrapped asparagus in sealed containers in a refrigerator for up to 2 days. The leftovers won't be as crispy, but will still taste nice. Reheat in an air fryer or microwave for a few minutes, and serve warm.
You can also prepare this dish ahead to save time on cooking. Wrap the asparagus spears in bacon strips, and marinade with the maple glaze. Then, refrigerate for up to 2 days before cooking.
Frequently asked questions
Cut off any tough ends on the asparagus. This is usually around the area where the green asparagus turns pale or white. If you bend an asparagus stalk, it also tends to snap in half at this point.
You can wrap any vegetables in bacon! Bacon-wrapped asparagus, green beans, mushrooms, baby potatoes, and cauliflower florets are particularly popular.
You might also like these recipes
- Instant Pot Asparagus
- Asparagus Pasta Salad
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs
- Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli
- Air Fryer Carrots
If you make this recipe, make sure to post a photo to Instagram with #hintofhealthy!
Recipe
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 ounces asparagus
- 6 bacon strips
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt (optional)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Wash the asparagus, and cut or break off the tough ends at the bottom.
- Wrap the asparagus spears tightly in bacon strips. You can either wrap the asparagus individually or in bundles of 3-5 asparagus spears.
- Combine the maple syrup, olive oil, and seasoning in a bowl to create a glaze.
- Use a pastry brush or the back of a spoon to brush the maple syrup glaze onto the asparagus and bacon bundles. Make sure to cover all sides thoroughly, including the bottom.
- Place the asparagus with bacon in an air fryer basket. Air fry at 360 F / 180 C for about 10 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy. Flip the asparagus bundles halfway through cooking to allow them to cook evenly.
Video
Notes
- Avoid stacking bacon wrapped asparagus on top of each other in the air fryer basket, and leave some space in between each piece.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning to taste.
- Leave some space between each asparagus bacon bundle in the air fryer. Avoid overcrowding the basket.
Nutrition
Food safety tips
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
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