This Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is an easy and delicious side dish that is ready in a flash! Perfectly grilled and tender, this asparagus in the air fryer is so tasty and easy to meal prep.
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Fresh asparagus season is my favorite vegetable season! But knowing you can elevate the incredible taste of asparagus by wrapping it in bacon and cooking it in the air fryer…well, that’s just icing on the cake.
Looking for more asparagus recipes? You’ll want to check out: Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto, How to Cook Frozen Asparagus, Air Fryer Asparagus, How to Freeze Asparagus, and Instant Pot Asparagus.
You’ll love this bacon-wrapped asparagus in the air fryer alongside Paleo Salmon Cakes, Lemon Garlic Pasta, Gluten-Free Scalloped Potatoes, Ham and Swiss Quiche, or a Dry Brined Chicken.
HOW TO TRIM ASPARAGUS
Hold one stalk of asparagus, and try to snap the end off. Where it snaps is the natural breaking point. You can snap each stalk individually, but I usually cut all the ends off at about the same point with a sharp knife to save time.
Meal Prep Tips
You can wrap the asparagus with the bacon and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours ahead of time. Keep in an air-tight container and avoid adding any fat (oil/butter) and seasoning until right before cooking.
How to Reheat Bacon Wrapped Asparagus in the Air Fryer
This recipe is best served hot, but it can be reheated in a pinch. Cook the bundles in the air fryer at 360F for 2-3 minutes or until the bacon has become hot and crispy.
Variations
- I prefer my asparagus REALLY crispy. If you like it more al dente, lower the cooking temp to 380F.
- If you have thicker asparagus, you can wrap each one individually with a half piece of bacon. The cooking time will remain the same. You will obviously use more bacon than is called for in this recipe, but it’s going to be absolutely delicious!
- Thicker cut bacon could benefit from being parbaked in the oven or air fryer for 3 minutes at 360F before being wrapped around the asparagus.
- Top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a squirt of fresh lemon juice.
- Combine 2 tbsp of melted unsalted butter and 2 tsp of brown sugar and brush over the asparagus and bacon prior to cooking.
PRO TIPS/RECIPE NOTES
- The bacon is easier to cut if you use a set of kitchen shears.
- Don’t be aggressive with spritzing the olive oil on the stalks. Over time I’ve discovered that too much olive oil = mushy asparagus. I use my Misto to get even coverage.
- If you use thick-cut bacon the cooking time might need to be increased.
- Fatter asparagus spears may need an additional 1-3 minutes of cooking time.
- No air fryer? Place wrapped bundles on a baking sheeting and bake at 400F for 25-30 minutes.
MORE ASPARAGUS RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 lb asparagus {~1 bunch}
- 1 tsp olive oil spray
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 slices bacon {cut vertically in half}
Instructions
- Rinse asparagus, pat dry, and trim woody ends.
- Preheat air fryer for 3 minutes at 390F.
- Lightly spray the asparagus with olive oil cooking spray. Sprinkle garlic powder over the asparagus.
- Cut bacon down the middle to create two long strips from each piece. Pro tip: using kitchen shears makes this process easier.
- Separate the asparagus into 4-5 small bundles.
- Wrap 1 thin strip of bacon around the bundles. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
- Brush oil on the hot air fryer basket or use air fryer parchment. Place asparagus bundles in the hot basket without allowing them to touch.
- Cook bundles at 390F for 7 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until asparagus is cooked and bacon is crispy.
Notes
- If you prefer your asparagus more al dente, lower the cooking temp to 380F.
- If you use thick-cut bacon the cooking time might need to be increased.
- Fatter asparagus spears may need an additional 1-3 minutes of cooking time.
- No air fryer? Place wrapped bundles on a baking sheeting and bake at 400F for 25-30 minutes.
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