Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is an easy side dish that combines tender asparagus, crispy bacon, smoky Okie Rub, and a drizzle of hot honey for the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday dinner, backyard BBQ, or busy weeknight meal, this crowd-pleasing recipe comes together in just 35 minutes and always disappears fast.
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Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is one of those simple recipes that looks impressive but couldn’t be easier to make. Fresh asparagus is wrapped in crispy bacon, seasoned with smoky Okie Rub, and finished with sweet and spicy hot honey for an irresistible side dish that’s perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to holiday celebrations.
Whether you’re serving it alongside grilled steak in the summer or adding it to your Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas dinner menu, this bacon-wrapped asparagus is always one of the first dishes to disappear!
Why You’ll Love This Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Only 5 simple ingredients. You probably have everything you need already.
- Sweet, smoky, and just a little spicy. Hot honey and Okie Rub create the perfect balance of flavors.
- Ready in about 35 minutes. A quick side dish that’s easy enough for busy weeknights.
- Perfect for holidays and entertaining. Great for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, cookouts, and dinner parties.
- Naturally gluten free. A crowd-pleasing option for guests with dietary restrictions.
- Easy to make ahead. Assemble the bundles in advance and bake just before serving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Main Ingredients
- Fresh asparagus: Choose medium-thick asparagus spears for the best texture. Very thin asparagus cooks too quickly, while extra-thick spears can stay tough by the time the bacon is crisp.
- Thin-cut bacon: Thin-cut bacon crisps much better than thick-cut bacon, giving you perfectly cooked asparagus without overcooking it.
- Hot honey: Adds the perfect balance of sweetness and gentle heat while creating a glossy caramelized finish.
Seasonings
- The Spice Girl Kitchen Okie Rub: My smoky barbecue-inspired seasoning adds garlic, onion, paprika, black pepper, and a touch of chili flavor without needing to measure a handful of individual spices.
- Brown sugar: Helps caramelize the bacon and creates delicious crispy edges.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Prep the Asparagus
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Trim the woody ends from the asparagus and pat the spears dry.
Season and Bundle
Sprinkle the asparagus with olive oil, salt, and Okie Rub and toss until evenly coated. Divide the asparagus into bundles of 5 to 6 spears each.
Wrap with Bacon
Wrap one half slice of thin or regular cut bacon around each bundle, starting at the bottom and slightly overlapping as you work toward the top. Place the bundles seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
Brush with the Hot Honey Glaze
Mix the brown sugar with a little hot honey to create a simple glaze, then brush it over each bacon-wrapped bundle.
Bake Until Crisp
Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender and the bacon is crisp.
Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Choose medium-thick asparagus for the best texture. Thin asparagus tends to overcook before the bacon crisps, while very thick spears may still be firm when the bacon is finished.
- Use thin-cut bacon instead of thick-cut bacon. It crisps much more evenly and gives you the best texture. Regular cut bacon works well too!
- Let the asparagus rest for a minute or two before serving. This helps the glaze set and keeps it from sliding off.
Variations
Want to customize this recipe? Here are a few easy ideas:
- Add crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Finish with chopped fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color.
- Try maple hot honey for a sweeter twist.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten the flavors.
What to Serve with Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
This bacon-wrapped asparagus pairs beautifully with almost any main course. Some of my favorite pairings include:
- Grilled steak
- Prime rib
- Honey baked ham
- Roast turkey
- Pork tenderloin
- BBQ chicken
- Smoked brisket
- Burgers
- Grilled salmon
- Meatloaf (Like my Crockpot Meatloaf or French Onion Meatloaf)
It’s also a fantastic addition to holiday menus for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
How to Store and Reheat
Storage
Store leftover bacon-wrapped asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
For the crispiest results, reheat in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 5 to 7 minutes. While you can microwave leftovers, the bacon won’t stay as crisp.
Make Ahead
Assemble the bacon-wrapped bundles up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Brush with the hot honey glaze just before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use thick-cut bacon?
You can, but I don’t recommend it. Thick-cut bacon takes much longer to crisp, which can leave you with overcooked asparagus before the bacon is done. Thin-cut bacon gives the best results.
Should I blanch the asparagus first?
No. Fresh asparagus cooks perfectly in the oven without blanching, making this recipe even easier.
Can I make bacon wrapped asparagus ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the bundles up to one day in advance and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. Add the glaze just before they go into the oven.
Can I cook bacon wrapped asparagus in the air fryer?
Absolutely. Cook at 375°F for about 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through if needed, until the bacon is crisp and the asparagus is tender.
Can I grill bacon wrapped asparagus?
Yes! Grill over medium heat, turning occasionally, until the bacon is crisp and the asparagus is tender. Brush with the hot honey during the last few minutes of cooking.
Why isn’t my bacon getting crispy?
Using thick-cut bacon and overcrowding the pan are the most common reasons. Thin or regular cut bacon make all the difference.
Can I use regular honey instead of hot honey?
Yes! If you don’t have hot honey, use regular honey and add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce.
Can I use frozen asparagus?
I don’t recommend it. Frozen asparagus releases too much moisture as it cooks, making it difficult for the bacon to crisp properly.
More Easy Side Dishes
Looking for more simple side dishes to round out your meal? Here are some of my family’s favorites that pair perfectly with everything from grilled meats to holiday dinners.
- Parmesan Smashed Potatoes
- French Potato Salad
- Traditional Greek Salad
- Baked Feta with Honey & Pistachios
- Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
- Moroccan Carrot Salad
These easy recipes are full of flavor, simple to make, and perfect for weeknight dinners, cookouts, holidays, and entertaining.
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pat the trimmed asparagus dry with paper towels. Place the asparagus in a large bowl or right on the prepared baking sheet, toss with olive oil, salt, and Okie Rub until evenly coated.
- Divide the asparagus into equal bundles, using about 4 to 6 spears per bundle depending on their thickness.
- Wrap one of the half slices of bacon around each bundle, starting near the bottom and spiraling upward with minimal overlap. Place each bundle seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Stir the brown sugar and 2 tbsp hot honey together in a small bowl until a loose glaze forms. (You may need to slightly warm it for 10 seconds in the microwave the losen the honey enough to brush.) Brush the glaze evenly over the bacon on each bundle.
- Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, or until the asparagus is tender and the bacon is crisp.
- Drizzle with additional hot honey, if desired. Transfer the bundles to a serving platter and let them rest for 2 minutes. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Bacon: Thin-cut bacon works best because it crisps before the asparagus becomes overcooked. Regular cut works too. Avoid thick-cut bacon.
- Asparagus: Choose medium-thick asparagus spears so the asparagus and bacon finish cooking at approximately the same time.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add the brown sugar and hot honey glaze just before baking.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 5 to 7 minutes, or until heated through and crisp. Microwaving will soften the bacon.
- Substitution: Replace the Okie Rub with your favorite barbecue seasoning containing paprika, garlic, onion, black pepper, and mild chili spices. Regular honey mixed with a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes can be used in place of hot honey.
- Nutrition (per serving, 8 servings): 183 calories, 12g fat, 10g carbs, 8g protein, 2g fiber. Nutrition information is an estimate. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.
If you’re looking for an easy side dish that’s guaranteed to impress, this Bacon Wrapped Asparagus checks every box. Crispy bacon, tender asparagus, smoky seasoning, and sweet hot honey come together in one simple recipe that’s perfect for holidays, cookouts, and weeknight dinners alike.
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