Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus: The Ultimate Easy Low-Carb Appetizer and Side Dish
Transform fresh asparagus into an irresistibly delicious treat with this quick and easy air fryer recipe. These bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles are perfectly crisp yet tender, taking just 11 minutes to cook. Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing low-carb appetizer for your next party or a savory side dish to complement dinner, this recipe is a guaranteed winner. It’s simple, requires minimal cleanup, and delivers maximum flavor with every bite.
Why This Recipe Is a Must-Try
We’re already huge fans of air fryer asparagus for its ability to produce perfectly cooked veggies with minimal effort. But when you introduce savory, crispy bacon into the mix, something truly magical happens. This recipe elevates a simple side into a gourmet-tasting appetizer or a standout dinner accompaniment. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Effortless Preparation: With just a few ingredients and straightforward steps, you can have this dish ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a quick snack.
- Unbeatable Texture & Flavor: The air fryer ensures the bacon gets incredibly crispy while the asparagus remains tender-crisp, never soggy. The combination of salty bacon with the earthy, slightly sweet asparagus is simply divine. A hint of seasoning enhances these natural flavors beautifully.
- Incredibly Versatile: This dish shines in many roles. Serve it as a sophisticated appetizer at dinner parties, a game-day snack for football gatherings, a tasty addition to BBQs and potlucks, or a healthy, low-carb side with your favorite main course.
- Low-Carb Friendly: For those following a low-carb or ketogenic diet, this recipe is an excellent option that doesn’t compromise on flavor or satisfaction.
- Family Favorite: Even picky eaters are often won over by the allure of bacon! This is a great way to encourage everyone to enjoy more vegetables.
Pair these delightful bundles with other appetizers like our bacon-wrapped scallops for an impressive party spread, or alongside grilled chicken or steak for a complete meal. It’s a delightful addition to any menu!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Crafting these delectable air fryer bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles requires just a handful of simple ingredients. You can find all specific measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the very end of this post.
ASPARAGUS – The star of our show! For this recipe, we recommend using fresh, smaller asparagus spears. Bundles of approximately 4 or 5 smaller spears work best when wrapped with a single slice of bacon. This ratio ensures the bacon doesn’t overpower the delicate flavor of the asparagus. If you happen to be using thicker stalks of asparagus, you can easily adjust by wrapping one to two larger stalks per bacon slice. When selecting asparagus, look for firm, bright green stalks with tight, closed tips. Avoid any that appear wilted or have open, flowering tips. Before cooking, remember to trim off the tough, woody ends – typically the bottom 1-2 inches will snap off naturally or can be easily cut with a knife.
BACON – The crispy, savory wrapper! Both standard-cut bacon and thick-cut bacon can be used successfully in this recipe. We generally prefer regular, standard-cut bacon as it cooks up beautifully in the air fryer, creating a wonderfully crisp outer shell with a satisfying crunch. If you opt for thicker-cut bacon, be aware that it may require a slightly longer cooking time to achieve the desired crispiness. For a lighter alternative, turkey bacon can also be used, though it will typically cook faster and may not achieve the same level of crispness. Regardless of your choice, it’s crucial to monitor your asparagus closely in the air fryer to ensure both the bacon and asparagus are cooked to perfection.
SEASONING – A simple yet effective blend of black pepper, salt, and garlic powder enhances the natural flavors of the asparagus and bacon. This classic combination provides a savory aromatic touch that everyone loves. Feel free to experiment with other seasonings like a pinch of onion powder, smoked paprika, or a dash of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
OLIVE OIL SPRAY – A light mist of olive oil spray helps the seasonings adhere to the asparagus bundles and promotes even browning and crisping of the bacon in the air fryer. You can use a non-stick cooking spray or an olive oil mister.
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to create this delicious recipe. For the complete, printable version of this recipe, including all measurements and detailed instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare the Asparagus: Begin by dividing your fresh asparagus spears into smaller bundles, aiming for about 4 to 5 stalks per bundle if using thinner spears. If your asparagus stalks are thicker, you might use 1-2 stalks per bundle. Next, carefully trim off the bottom 2 inches of each asparagus spear to remove the tough, woody ends.
- Wrap with Bacon: Take one slice of bacon and wrap it snugly around each mini bundle of asparagus. To keep the bacon securely in place during cooking, secure each wrapped bundle with a toothpick. Make sure the toothpick goes through both ends of the bacon and some asparagus spears to hold it tight.
- Prepare the Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine your black pepper, salt, and garlic powder. Stir them together until well mixed. This simple blend will add a fantastic savory depth to your bacon-wrapped asparagus.
- Arrange in the Air Fryer: Carefully place the bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles into the grate-lined air fryer basket. Ensure that you arrange them in a single layer without overcrowding the basket. This is crucial for achieving that desired crispy bacon and evenly cooked asparagus. If necessary, cook in batches.
- Season and Oil: Lightly spray the asparagus and bacon bundles with olive oil spray. This helps the seasonings stick and promotes even browning. Then, generously sprinkle the mixed seasonings all over the bundles, ensuring they are well coated.
- Air Fry to Perfection: Close the air fryer basket and air fry the bundles at 385°F (196°C) for precisely 11 minutes. There’s no need to turn them halfway through with this timing and temperature. The circulating hot air will cook them evenly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, carefully remove the crispy bacon-wrapped asparagus from the air fryer tray. Remember to remove the toothpicks before serving to your guests or family. Enjoy these hot and fresh!
Expert Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: For truly crispy bacon and perfectly cooked asparagus, it’s essential to cook the bundles in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Overcrowding will steam the food instead of air frying it, resulting in soggy bacon and less appealing textures. Work in batches if necessary.
- Secure with Toothpicks: Using toothpicks is key to keeping the bacon wrapped tightly around the asparagus bundles. This prevents the bacon from unraveling as it cooks and shrinks, ensuring consistent crispness and even cooking.
- Adjust for Bacon Thickness: As mentioned, thicker-cut bacon may require an additional 2-3 minutes of cooking time to achieve optimal crispness. Conversely, thinner bacon or turkey bacon might cook faster. Keep an eye on them, especially during your first attempt with a new type of bacon.
- Trim Asparagus Properly: Always trim the woody ends of the asparagus. You can snap them by bending the spear until it breaks naturally, or simply cut the bottom inch or two off. This ensures every bite is tender and enjoyable.
- Uniform Asparagus Bundles: Try to create bundles of similar size. This helps ensure that all bundles cook evenly at the same time.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: While not strictly necessary for all air fryer recipes, preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 385°F (196°C) can help achieve more consistent and crispier results, especially for recipes like this one where texture is key.
Flavor Variations and Serving Suggestions
Get Creative with Flavor Variations:
While the classic salt, pepper, and garlic powder combination is fantastic, don’t hesitate to customize your bacon-wrapped asparagus to your taste:
- Sweet & Savory: Before wrapping, sprinkle a tiny pinch of brown sugar over the bacon for a delightful sweet and salty contrast.
- Spicy Kick: Add a dash of red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to your seasoning blend for a bit of heat.
- Herbal Notes: Incorporate dried herbs like a pinch of rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning into your spice mix.
- Cheesy Delight: After cooking, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese or a crumble of feta for an extra layer of flavor.
- Smoky Undertones: A tiny bit of smoked paprika in the seasoning can add a wonderful smoky depth.
- Glaze It: Brush a light glaze of maple syrup or balsamic glaze over the bundles during the last minute of cooking for a glossy finish and added flavor.
Perfect Pairing & Serving Ideas:
These versatile bundles can be served in many ways:
- Elegant Appetizer: Arrange them beautifully on a platter for parties. They’re a sophisticated finger food that’s easy to eat.
- Dinner Side Dish: Serve alongside grilled steak, roasted chicken, pan-seared fish, or pork chops for a complete and healthy meal.
- Brunch Star: A delicious addition to a weekend brunch spread, complementing eggs, quiches, or pancakes.
- Dipping Sauces: We highly recommend our delicious Romesco Sauce (from our roasted asparagus recipe) for drizzling or dipping. Other great options include balsamic glaze, a spicy aioli, or a creamy ranch dressing.
- Party Platter: Pair with other easy appetizers like our mini cucumber sandwiches or vegetable spring rolls. Learn how to create decorative vegetables for a truly stunning presentation to impress your guests.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Absolutely! These bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles are excellent for meal prep. You can easily prep them a few hours or even the morning of your event. Simply wrap the asparagus with bacon, secure with toothpicks, and mix your seasonings. Store the prepped bundles in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil in the refrigerator until you are ready to air fry them. We do not recommend pre-cooking them and then storing; they are best air-fried fresh for optimal crispiness and flavor.
While this recipe is undoubtedly best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer, you can store any leftovers. Place your cooked bacon-wrapped asparagus in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. Note that the bacon may lose some of its crispness upon storage.
To bring leftovers back to their crispy glory, reheat them in the air fryer! Place the refrigerated bundles back into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and the bacon is crisp again. You can also use a conventional oven at the same temperature for 5-7 minutes, but the air fryer is superior for crispness.
Yes, you can! If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake bacon-wrapped asparagus in a conventional oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the bundles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary based on your oven and bacon thickness, so keep an eye on them.
This dish offers a good balance of nutrients. Asparagus is a highly nutritious vegetable, packed with vitamins (A, C, K), folate, and fiber. While bacon adds fat and sodium, it’s generally consumed in moderation. As a low-carb option, it can be a great addition to a balanced diet when enjoyed as part of an overall healthy eating plan.
Tender bundles of asparagus snuggled in with savory, perfectly crispy bacon and sprinkled with aromatic seasoning, this air fryer bacon-wrapped asparagus is hands down one of our absolute favorite appetizers and side dishes to prepare for any and all occasions!
Explore More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes
If you love the convenience and incredible results of air frying, you’re in for a treat! The air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that can handle everything from crispy bacon to delightful desserts. Here are more fantastic air fryer recipes from our kitchen that we think you’ll adore:
- Air Fryer Bacon
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Carrots
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Churros
- Air Fryer Apple Fries
- Air Fryer Pretzel Bites
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
- Air Fryer Green Bean Fries
- Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes
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Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 25 asparagus spears smaller spears, about 1 bunch
- 6 pieces bacon (standard or thick-cut)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pam olive oil spray (or other cooking spray)
Things You’ll Need
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Air fryer
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Toothpicks
Before You Begin
- This recipe is best enjoyed right away for optimal crispness. However, if you have leftovers you’d like to keep, store your bacon wrapped asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for best results.
- For even cooking and crisp bacon, do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
Instructions
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Divide your asparagus into smaller clumps of 4-5 stalks (or 1-2 thicker stalks). Trim the bottom 2 inches of the asparagus to remove woody ends.
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Wrap each mini bundle with one piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
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In a small bowl, mix together black pepper, salt, and garlic powder.
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Place the bacon wrapped asparagus into the grate-lined air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
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Spray the asparagus and bacon with olive oil spray and sprinkle the seasonings all over the bundles.
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Air Fry at 385°F (196°C) for 11 minutes. No need to turn the bundles.
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Remove from the tray. Carefully remove the toothpicks before serving and enjoy immediately!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.