Crispy Oven-Roasted Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

Easter Sunday really crept up on me this year. With the holiday falling so late in April, I thought I’d have plenty of time to plan, but here we are. If you’re finalizing an Easter menu, I promised to share a few ideas—along with some fun desserts—so I’m starting with one of my favorite simple sides.

This post covers an easy, elegant two-ingredient side: bacon-wrapped asparagus. It’s fast to prepare, looks great on the table, and pairs well with classic Easter mains. Below you’ll find helpful tips to ensure the asparagus is tender while the bacon turns perfectly crisp.

I love asparagus in season, and bacon is a year-round favorite—so wrapping bacon around asparagus is an obvious winner. It’s an easy way to dress up vegetables for a holiday meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Although the recipe is straightforward—just asparagus and bacon—there are a few simple techniques that help this dish come out consistently well. Follow these tips to avoid overcooked asparagus or limp, under-crisp bacon.

One common issue is that whole strips of bacon take longer to crisp than asparagus takes to cook. To address this, cut each bacon strip lengthwise into two thinner pieces. Use one thinner strip per asparagus spear so the bacon crisps more quickly without overcooking the vegetable.

Choose center-cut bacon when possible. Center-cut slices have less excess fat, which helps the bacon crisp faster and results in less shrinkage while baking.

For this preparation, slightly thicker asparagus stalks hold up better to wrapping and baking. While thin spears are tender and delicious, thicker spears maintain their texture and are easier to wrap without tearing the bacon.

To reduce bacon shrinkage and keep the wraps intact, place the prepared asparagus on a baking sheet and put it into a cold oven. Then set the oven to 400°F (about 200°C) and let the asparagus bake for 20–25 minutes total. Starting from cold and letting the oven come up to temperature helps the bacon render fat more steadily and hold its shape.

You can assemble the bundles ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. That makes timing easier if you’re juggling multiple dishes for a holiday meal—just pop the tray in the oven during the last 20–25 minutes before serving.

At our family Easter gathering I always bring rolls, and later this week I’ll share my go-to recipe for Best Butterhorn Rolls, which I’ve made for years. They’re a perfect companion to a main course and these bacon-wrapped asparagus spears.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

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  Author: Julie
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  Prep Time: 10 minutes
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  Cook Time: 20 minutes
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  Total Time: 30 minutes
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  Yield: 5 1x
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  Category: Sides
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  Method: Bake
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  Cuisine: American

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