Are you tired of bacon-wrapped asparagus that’s either perfectly cooked asparagus with flabby bacon, or crispy bacon with mushy, overcooked asparagus? You’re not alone! This classic appetizer is a crowd-pleaser, but getting that perfect crispy bacon and tender-crisp asparagus simultaneously can be a challenge.
Today’s easy recipe will make an easy side dish for your next holiday dinner, whether Christmas or Easter.
This recipe is perfect for any bacon lover! So grab your air fryer and get ready to indulge in a symphony of flavors with this simple yet impressive dish!
But what if we told you there’s a simple, foolproof method that guarantees mouthwatering results every single time? Enter the Air Fryer.
The air fryer is a game-changer for this recipe, delivering irresistible crispy bacon and perfectly roasted asparagus in minutes. Say goodbye to greasy pans and uneven cooking! This recipe is about to become your new favorite side dish, appetizer, or even a healthy snack.
Watch the full video tutorial here!
Why the Air Fryer is Your Secret Weapon for Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Traditional oven methods often leave you with a compromise: either the bacon isn’t fully rendered, or the asparagus is overcooked. The air fryer, with its powerful circulating hot air, solves this problem beautifully. It mimics deep-frying without all the oil, ensuring the bacon gets incredibly crispy while the asparagus steams and roasts to tender perfection.
- Easy Cleanup: Many air fryer baskets are dishwasher safe!
- Ultimate Crispy Bacon: No more flabby strips!
- Perfectly Tender-Crisp Asparagus: Never mushy or stringy.
- Lightning Fast: Ready in under 15 minutes.
- Less Mess: No greasy splatters all over your oven.
Once you start making vegetables in the Air Fryer, some of my favorite Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes are AIR FRYER LOW-CARB (KETO) EVERYTHING BAGEL ZUCCHINI CHIPS, CRISPY AIR FRYER EGGPLANT PARMESAN, AIR FRYER FROZEN OKRA, and AIR FRYER WEIGHT WATCHERS STUFFED JALAPENOS.
Ingredients Needed
- Fresh asparagus spears: Washed and trimmed for even cooking
- Thin-cut bacon slices: Perfect for wrapping each asparagus spear
- Olive oil: For brushing asparagus and helping bacon crisp
- Salt: Freshly ground for seasoning and enhancing natural flavors
- Black pepper: Freshly ground for a touch of mild heat
- Optional garlic powder: To add savory depth and aroma
- Optional red pepper flakes: For a subtle spicy kick
Equipment You’ll Need:
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus: The Foolproof Method
Step One: Wash your asparagus spears thoroughly. Snap off the woody ends – they’ll naturally break where the tender part begins. Pat the asparagus completely dry with a paper towel. This is crucial for crispiness!
Step Two: In a large bowl or a Ziploc bag, toss the dry asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings. Take one slice of thin-cut bacon and wrap it tightly around 3-4 asparagus spears. Ensure the bacon overlaps as little as possible to promote even crisping. If your bacon is very long, you might need to cut it in half crosswise before wrapping.
Step Three: Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees F (200 degrees C). This high temperature is key for getting that initial sizzle and crisp without drying out the asparagus. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat function, let it run empty for 3-5 minutes.
Step Four: Carefully arrange the bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket! Cook in batches if necessary. Set cook time for 10-12 minutes.
Note: Halfway through the cooking time (around the 5-6 minute mark), carefully open the air fryer and use tongs to flip each bundle. This ensures the bacon crisps evenly on all sides. Continue air frying until the bacon is golden brown and crispy, and the asparagus is tender-crisp.
Pro Tips for the Crispiest Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Thin-Cut Bacon is King: This is the most important tip! Thick-cut bacon takes too long to render and crisp, which will inevitably lead to overcooked, mushy asparagus. Stick to regular or thin-cut for this recipe.
- Don’t Overlap the Bacon Too Much: The less bacon overlapping, the faster it will crisp. Try to wrap it in a single layer around the asparagus bundle.
- Pat Asparagus Dry: Any excess moisture on the asparagus will steam the bacon rather than crisp it.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Airflow is essential in an air fryer. Give those bundles space! Cook in batches for the best results.
- For Extra Flavor: A drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of brown sugar over the bacon in the last 2 minutes of cooking can create a delicious sweet and savory glaze. (Great for Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Air Fryer Brown Sugar fans!)
Troubleshooting: Fixing Common Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Problems
- Soggy Bacon: This almost always comes down to using thick-cut bacon, overcrowding the air fryer, or not patting the asparagus dry. Review those tips!
- Mushy Asparagus: Your temperature might be too low, or you’re cooking it for too long. Ensure your air fryer is preheated to 390 degrees F and stick to the 10-12 minute window.
- Bacon Not Sticking: Make sure your asparagus is completely dry before wrapping. You can also secure the end of the bacon with a toothpick if needed (just remember to remove them before serving!).
Keto Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus & Other Variations
This recipe is naturally Keto-friendly and low-carb, making it a fantastic option for those following a ketogenic diet. No modifications needed!
Other Variations to try:
- Garlic Parmesan: Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and extra garlic powder before air frying.
- Spicy Kick: Include a pinch of red pepper flakes with your seasonings.
- Turkey Bacon: If using turkey bacon, reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes as it tends to crisp faster. (Perfect for those searching for Air Fryer Asparagus Wrapped in Turkey Bacon.)
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER LOW-CARB (KETO) EVERYTHING BAGEL ZUCCHINI CHIPS
- AIR FRYER FROZEN OKRA
- CRISPY AIR FRYER EGGPLANT PARMESAN
- AIR FRYER AVOCADO FRENCH FRIES
- AIR FRYER ROASTED CANNED CARROTS
Share Your Creations! Are you active on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer enthusiasts gather and share your photos! I’m always thrilled to see what you’ve made. For those on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @forktospoon – I can’t wait to admire your culinary adventures!
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How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Description
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus spears
- 8 slices thin-cut bacon
- 1 tbsp olive oil, or avocado oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional Garlic powder or a pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Wash and dry 1 pound asparagus spears thoroughly. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. And add Optional Garlic powder or a pinch of red pepper flakes
- Wrap one slice of of the 8 slices thin-cut bacon tightly around 3-4 asparagus spears. Ensure minimal overlap.
- Preheat your air fryer temperature to 390 degrees F (200°C).
- Place bundles in a single layer Set cook time for 6 minutes.
- Use tongs to flip the bundles. Set cook time for another 4-6 minutes until the bacon is golden and crispy.
- Enjoy immediately while the bacon is at peak crunch!
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, or aluminum foil
Notes
- Use center-cut bacon or thin slice of bacon to crisp up better in the air fryer.
- Let the air fryer really crips up the bacon, do not crowd your air fryer basket.
- This recipe will work in an air fryer, including the Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot Crisp, Instant Pot Crisp Lid, and other air fryer basket and oven models.
Nutrition
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