Air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus is one of those ridiculously easy sides that looks fancy but takes barely any effort. You only need two ingredients and about 15 minutes to get perfectly crisp bacon on the outside and tender asparagus on the inside. This recipe's a go-to for weeknights, meal prep, or even holiday dinners when you want something simple but solid.
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This post was updated in June 2025 with fresh tips, a revised format, and improved structure for better search performance and user experience.
Why This Recipe Is Fantastic
- You only need two ingredients: asparagus and bacon
- It's easy to prep, cooks fast, and looks impressive
- Works for weeknights, meal prep, holidays-you name it
- Kid-friendly and keto-friendly
- Delicious in the air fryer (basket or oven-style)
Kitchen Essentials and Equipment
Below I list some of the items I use to make this recipe:
Ingredients You'll Need
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus (use thicker spears if possible)
- 1 pound center cut bacon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Olive oil spray (optional)
Wrapped and ready for the air fryer.
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Trim the asparagus: Hold each spear between your fingers and gently bend until it snaps. Discard the woody bottom ends.
- Wrap with bacon: Start at one end of each spear and spiral-wrap a slice of bacon around it. Repeat with all spears.
- Season: Lightly sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Don't go too heavy on the salt-bacon's already salty.
- Air fry: Place wrapped spears in a single layer in your air fryer basket (about six at a time). Set air fryer to 390°F. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Expert Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Choose thicker asparagus spears so they don't overcook before the bacon crisps up.
- Avoid thick-cut bacon unless you want to pre-cook it a little first.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches for the best texture.
- Keep an eye on it in the last few minutes-bacon can go from perfect to overdone fast.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these next to:
- Grilled chicken or steak for a steakhouse-style dinner
- A weeknight meatloaf or roasted pork loin
- Eggs and toast for a fun brunch twist
- Toss them on a salad for a low-carb crunch
Pairings and Related Recipes
Here are a few recipes from the blog that pair well with this dish:
FAQ
Wrap it tightly, slightly overlapping as you go. If it still slips, use a toothpick to secure it while cooking.
Yes! Turkey bacon works well and crisps up nicely. Just reduce the cook time by 1-2 minutes since it's leaner.
Yep. You can wrap the asparagus and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead. Air fry just before serving.
Totally. Bake at 400°F on a parchment-lined sheet for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
More Common Questions
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Pop them in the air fryer at 375°F for 2-3 minutes to re-crisp.
Yes! They're naturally low in carbs and fit most keto or paleo plans.
Nutritional Information
(Per piece - approximate) Calories: 110
Protein: 5g
Fat: 9g
Carbs: 1g
Sodium: 290mg
Crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor - this air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus is everything you love about the classic, minus the mess. If you give it a try, let me know in the comments how it turned out. And don't forget to tag #StuffMattyCooks if you post your masterpiece on social media!
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 Bunch Fresh Asparagus (Thicker)
- 1 Pound Center Cut Bacon
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 1/2 tsp. Pepper
- 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1 Spray Olive Oil (Optional)
Instructions
- The first step in this recipe is to snap the bottom with woody ends off of the asparagus. All the asparagus between your two index fingers and gently bend. The asparagus will naturally break in the correct spot. Repeat on all asparagus spears.
- Wrap each asparagus spear in a slice of bacon starting at one end of the asparagus and wrapping around overlapping previous wrap.
- Once all asparagus spears are wrapped in bacon season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder. Be sparing with the salt as bacon is already quite salty.
- Place the wrapped asparagus in the air fryer basket leaving room for proper air circulation. I find about six pieces at once seems to work fine. If you are cooking a lot of asparagus cook it in batches.
- Set air fryer to 390°F and set the timer to 12 minutes. Flip the asparagus after about 5 minutes. I find the cook time is usually about 10 to 12 minutes based on your air fryer.
