This bacon-wrapped asparagus air fryer recipe is a quick and easy side dish that only requires a handful of ingredients. Simply wrap the asparagus in bacon, then cook it in the air fryer until the bacon is crispy. This air fryer asparagus recipe is perfect if you are on a keto diet, and makes a great party appetizer too! This just might become your new favorite recipe for asparagus!
If you're anything like me, you must be a bacon lover. I like to wrap it around everything. After all, it makes everything taste so much better!
Have you tried bacon-wrapped chicken breasts in the air fryer? They are so good!
I also am a huge fan of asparagus. It is my favorite vegetable.
I love it so much that I planted a bunch of asparagus in my garden, and this recipe is my new favorite way to cook it. There is just something about the salty bacon wrapped around a crispy green spear. Mmmm.
Luckily, the ingredients for bacon-wrapped asparagus are available all year round at the grocery store!
Keep in mind, though, that you'll get the best-tasting and freshest asparagus during peak season, which lasts from February to June.
This asparagus makes the perfect side dish for gatherings any time of year. It goes perfectly with smoked burgers or smoked whole chicken in the summer.
It also is a delicious side dish for fancier gatherings such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. Everyone will love it when you serve it alongside the main dish of smoked turkey or smoked ham.
One of my favorite ways to serve this delicious asparagus is with Instant Pot shredded BBQ chicken or thin air fryer pork chops for a super quick meal. Your whole family will love it!
👩🏻🍳 More quick air fryer recipes
Jump to:
- 👩🏻🍳 More quick air fryer recipes
- ❤️ Why This Recipe Works
- 🥬 Ingredients
- 🥓 How to make bacon-wrapped asparagus air fryer
- 🥓 Substitutions
- 🧀 Variations
- 🍽 Equipment
- 🌡️ Storage
- 💭 Top tips
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 🥗 What else can I serve with this dish?
- 🥘 More delicious appetizers
- 📋 Recipe
- 📑 Food safety
- 💬 Comments
❤️ Why This Recipe Works
- It's not just bacon lovers who'll enjoy this recipe. Everyone will love the crispy, salty flavor of the bacon wrapped around the tender asparagus. It will become a new family favorite! It even makes the perfect snack!
- It's perfect for a party! Bacon-wrapped asparagus is always a hit at potlucks and parties. People love the combination of flavors, and it always seems to disappear fast!
- Bacon-wrapped asparagus is a great way to dress up your veggies. The delicious bacon adds a nice smoky flavor that takes the asparagus to the next level.
- This crispy bacon side dish is low carb, making it a keto-friendly appetizer, snack, or side dish.
- No bacon splatter; the air fryer keeps it all contained.
- Easy cleanup. Just wipe the air fryer basket with a paper towel.
- It's easy to make ahead of time. Just wrap the asparagus spears in bacon, place them on a baking sheet, and pop them in the fridge. Then, just throw them in the air fryer when you're ready to cook them!
- Make as many or as little as you need! It is so easy to adjust the ingredients!
🥬 Ingredients
The ingredients for this great side dish are simple and are always in stock at the grocery stores.
- Olive Oil. You could also use avocado oil.
- Fresh asparagus. I picked up some fresh asparagus at Costco. It was a huge bag that was a very reasonable price. You can also find some at your local Farmers Market if it is in season.
- Bacon (thin or thick-cut bacon, whichever kind of bacon you prefer). I used regular cut bacon. Keep in mind if you use thicker bacon, the cooking time will be longer.
- Salt and Pepper. I used kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
See the recipe card for quantities.
🥓 How to make bacon-wrapped asparagus air fryer
Bacon-wrapped asparagus is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or side dish. For perfect asparagus, follow these easy steps:
First up, wash and dry your asparagus. Then cut off the thick end of the asparagus (the woody ends) using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife. Cut off at least 1-inch from the bottom. You can also snap off the ends of the asparagus with your hands.
Rub the stalk of asparagus with a bit of olive oil, making sure you cover every nook and cranny to give it maximum flavor. You can use a pastry brush for easier application.
Next, sprinkle salt and pepper on the asparagus spears. Reserve a pinch to sprinkle on after they are in the air fryer basket.
Next, mix everything together. I just use my hands. Try to ensure that the olive oil is covering each asparagus spear.
Next, wrap them in bacon. For every group of four asparagus stalks, use a single bacon slice. Wrap the bacon around the middle of the asparagus tightly to keep it from unraveling while air frying.
Next, preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F.
Place each bundle in the air fryer basket, ensuring they're spaced evenly and in a single layer. That way, the hot air can circulate freely. My air fryer has a square basket, making it easy to fit in quite a few bundles. Make sure the end of the bacon is tucked underneath.
Sprinkle with reserved salt and pepper.
Air fry the asparagus bundles for 10 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. No need to flip halfway.
Take out the bacon-wrapped asparagus and place them on a serving platter. You can add whatever kind of garnish you like before serving.
Enjoy!
Hint: If you love bacon and have a lot of it, use two slices on each bundle of asparagus. Alternatively, you can cut the bacon strips lengthwise for a half slice of bacon to make it go farther.
🥓 Substitutions
You don't have to limit yourself to the ingredients listed above. Here are some items you can use to enhance or modify the flavors of the bacon-wrapped asparagus.
- Oils: You can use other oils to add a different aroma to your dish. Avocado oil, canola oil, and peanut oil all have a high smoke point, while sesame oil adds a nutty flavor.
- Spices: Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and other spices to your liking. Take it one step at a time, and avoid adding too many at once.
- Bacon: You don't have to use standard bacon for the recipe. Use turkey bacon, vegan bacon, or beef strips for a healthier alternative.
🧀 Variations
Here are a few ways you can modify the bacon-wrapped asparagus recipe.
- Use an Oven: If you don't have an air fryer, use an oven since it works similarly. Bake in a 360-degree F oven for 15-20 minutes.
- Add Brown Sugar: You can intensify the sweetness of the bacon by adding brown sugar to the olive oil. This adds a deep-brown glaze and a sweet taste.
- Add Garnish: Parmesan cheese, melted butter, parsley; choose whatever kind of garnish you like.
🍽 Equipment
To make this recipe, you will need an air fryer. You can use a quart air fryer or oven air fryer.
I used my Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer, a basket style, and it gives me excellent results every time. I have also made this tasty side dish using my Ninja Foodi with great success.
Your air fryer will always provide excellent results with proper care and maintenance.
Make sure always to consult the manual. The manual comes with air fryer instructions and crucial safety information.
🌡️ Storage
Your bacon-wrapped asparagus will probably fly off the plate. But just in case you have some left, here's how to store it:
Fridge: Wrap the asparagus loosely in a paper towel; this will help absorb any excess moisture. Place the wrapped asparagus in a plastic bag or air-tight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Wrap the asparagus in a paper towel, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Place the asparagus in an airtight container or freezer bag. Place it in the freezer where it will keep for up to 2 months.
To reheat: Simply pop the asparagus in the air fryer and reheat until warm.
💭 Top tips
- Try to group similar size asparagus stalks together. Thin asparagus will cook much faster than thick asparagus.
- Similarly, thinner bacon will cook faster than thick bacon.
- Thin asparagus is more tender and flavorful.
- Thicker stalks of asparagus will take longer to cook.
- You can use melted butter and brown sugar to coat your asparagus instead of olive oil.
- Use a toothpick to secure the wrap if the bacon is too thick.
- Don't overcrowd the fryer to ensure even cooking and crispy asparagus stalks.
- For best results, check every few minutes to ensure it does not overcook.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I like to use four asparagus spears per bundle. This will ensure that the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is cooked through. However, if your asparagus is thin, you can add a few more to the bundle.
No, you do not need to pre-cook the bacon before wrapping it around the asparagus. The bacon will cook as it cooks in the air fryer.
Yes, you can use a different type of bacon for this recipe. However, the type of bacon you use may give you a different texture and flavor.
This recipe makes 4 servings.
🥗 What else can I serve with this dish?
🥘 More delicious appetizers
If you have tried this air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus recipe, please leave a comment or star rating below. I love hearing from you!
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📋 Recipe
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 asparagus spears, washed and dried about ¾ of a pound
- 4 slices bacon*
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cut off the woody ends of the asparagus (about 1-inch from the bottom.)
- Drizzle the olive oil on the asparagus. Add salt and pepper (reserve a pinch for the end). Mix well until each spear is covered with oil.
- For every group of four asparagus stalks, wrap them around the middle with a single bacon slice. Repeat for remaining asparagus stalks.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F.
- Place each asparagus bundle in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Tuck the end of the bacon underneath so it doesn't unravel. Sprinkle with reserved salt and pepper.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy. No need to flip halfway.
- Take out the bacon-wrapped asparagus and place them on a serving platter.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Try to group similar size asparagus stalks together. Thin asparagus will cook much faster than thick asparagus.
- Similarly, thinner bacon will cook faster than thick bacon.
- Thin asparagus is more tender and flavorful.
- Thicker stalks of asparagus will take longer to cook.
- You can use melted butter and brown sugar to coat your asparagus instead of olive oil.
- Use a toothpick to secure the wrap if the bacon is too thick.
- Don't overcrowd the fryer to ensure even cooking and crispy asparagus stalks.
- For best results, check every few minutes to ensure it does not overcook.
Nutrition
📑 Food safety
- 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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