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Mouthwatering Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
You'll find these bacon-coated asparagus bundles are super crispy and melt-in-your-mouth. They're an easy, crowd-pleasing side or a fancy finger food sure to wow anyone at your table. I've been whipping these up forever, and they're always the first veggie gone at dinner.
I first threw these together for a holiday event when I needed something quick and showy. Now my family always asks for them, and I've even gotten folks who claim to hate asparagus coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
- Asparagus spears: Go for fresh, medium-thick stalks that have snug tips and feel sturdy
- Balsamic vinegar: Brings a tangy sweetness and rounds out the richness
- Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and goes great with smoky bacon
- Salt: Makes all the flavors pop
- Bacon slices: Thin ones wrap best—grab a good brand for awesome taste
- Melted butter: Helps everything brown up and taste extra rich
How To Make It
- Add balsamic glaze:
- Once they’re baked, brush hot bundles with balsamic. It’ll soak right in and get all sticky and shiny.
- Get oven set up:
- Crank your oven to 400°F. Cover a baking pan with parchment so nothing sticks and cleanup is easy.
- Grab the bundles:
- Bunch three trimmed stalks together for each group. This way, they cook evenly and make perfect servings.
- Coat and season:
- Generously brush on your melted butter, making sure those tips get some love. Sprinkle all the bundles with salt and pepper.
- Wrap bacon around:
- Start at the base of each bundle and wind a bacon slice up around it. Lay ‘em out with space between so they crisp.
- Bake them up:
- Roast for about 20-25 minutes until the bacon crunches and asparagus is tender but not mushy. Keep an eye out so nothing burns in those last few minutes.
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Balsamic vinegar is a real game-changer here. I stumbled on it by chance looking to jazz up my usual bacon-asparagus, and now my kid calls these 'veggie candy' because the glaze is so good over the hot bacon.
Keep It Fresh
Let your bacon-wrapped asparagus cool, then stash leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They taste best on the first day, but you can bring back that nice crunch by reheating in the oven or air fryer—don't use the microwave or it'll get soggy.
Ahead of Time
These are perfect for prepping before guests show up or if you're meal prepping. Put together the bundles a day early, cover, and refrigerate. Pull them out 20 minutes before baking so they’re not ice cold, then bake them just like usual. Save the balsamic for after they're cooked, then brush it on and serve.
Ways To Serve
These taste awesome with steaks or roast chicken right off the grill. If you want to look fancy, stand the bundles upright on a plate with a little bowl of extra balsamic on the side. They're also perfect at brunch with eggs Benedict or added to a big party spread for that special touch.
Fun Twists
You can totally mix things up. Try sprinkling grated Parmesan before baking for another layer of yum. Want some heat? Toss on red pepper flakes or swap the balsamic for a bit of honey with chili. Maple syrup also works if you're looking for a different sweet spin that still goes with bacon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What's the trick for picking asparagus that works best?
Grab bright, firm stalks where the tips stay tightly closed. Skip limp or wilted ones.
- → Got a tip about the bacon that'll give the best crunch?
Go for thin bacon slices so they crisp quickly and hug the asparagus just right while baking.
- → Can you swap the oven for an air fryer?
Definitely! Pop these in an air fryer at 400°F for about 10 to 12 minutes. Check a couple times so the bacon gets as crispy as you like.
- → What goes really well with these asparagus and bacon bundles?
Serve them up with grilled chicken, steaks, or even set them out on a snack board. They're great with just about any main dish.
- → How do you make sure the bacon doesn’t turn out soggy?
Lay the bundles out with space between each on your pan, so the bacon crisps up all over and doesn’t steam.
- → Can I get things ready earlier in the day?
Absolutely, you can assemble everything ahead, then chill in the fridge for up to 6 hours before cooking. Makes things much easier when you're ready to bake.