Bacon Wrapped Asparagus (Printable version)
Crispy bacon bundles around tender asparagus roasted until golden.
# What you need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed
→ Meats
02 - 8 slices thin-cut bacon
→ Seasonings
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/4 tsp sea salt
# How to make it:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
02 - Wash and trim the tough ends from the asparagus spears. Divide into 8 equal bundles.
03 - Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Toss to coat evenly.
04 - Wrap each asparagus bundle with a slice of bacon, starting at one end and spiraling to the other. Place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender. For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.
06 - Serve hot as an appetizer or side dish.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- The bacon keeps the asparagus from drying out while it roasts
- It is the one vegetable dish even picky eaters actually request
02 -
- Thick asparagus works much better than pencil-thin spears which can overcook
- Starting the bacon wrap seam-side down keeps it from unraveling in the oven
03 -
- Pat the asparagus dry before seasoning so the oil and spices actually stick
- Let the bundles rest for 2 minutes after baking so the bacon crisps up even more