Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bundles

If you have never tried wrapping asparagus in bacon, you are in for a treat. These air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus bundles are one of the easiest and tastiest side dishes you can make.

The air fryer gets the bacon super crispy on the outside without drying out the asparagus. It works so much better than the oven for this kind of thing, and it is way faster too.

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to pull this off. A bunch of asparagus, some thin-cut bacon, a little brown sugar for sweetness, and basic seasoning.

The brown sugar is what really takes these to the next level. It caramelizes on the bacon as it cooks and gives each bundle this sweet and salty flavor that is hard to resist.

This recipe works great as a side for dinner parties or even a regular weeknight meal. Either way, people always seem impressed when you put these on the table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crispy Bacon Every Single Time – The air fryer gets that bacon perfectly crispy on the outside while keeping it wrapped tight around the asparagus. No soggy, floppy bacon like you might get in the oven.

Ready in Under 15 Minutes – From wrapping the asparagus to pulling it out of the air fryer, this whole recipe takes barely any time at all. It is one of the fastest side dishes you can make.

The Brown Sugar Makes It Special – That little bit of brown sugar caramelizes in the air fryer heat and creates a sweet glaze on the bacon. It adds a sweet-savory combo that takes these bundles from basic to absolutely addictive.

Only 5 Ingredients – You need asparagus, bacon, brown sugar, black pepper, and olive oil. That is it. No long grocery list, no hunting down hard-to-find items.

Ingredients

• 1 bunch Fresh Asparagus
• 8 slices Thin Cut Bacon
• 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil

How to Make

Step 1

Trim the woody ends off the fresh asparagus spears and toss them lightly in olive oil and black pepper.

Step 2

Divide the asparagus into small bundles of 3 to 4 spears each.

Step 3

Wrap one slice of thin cut bacon tightly around the center of each bundle.

Step 4

Sprinkle the brown sugar over the bacon-wrapped bundles for a sweet glaze.

Step 5

Place the bundles in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

Step 6

Air fry at 390F for 10 to 12 minutes, until the bacon is fully crispy and the asparagus is tender.

Tips

Use Thin Cut Bacon Only

This recipe calls for thin cut bacon for a reason. Thick cut bacon takes longer to cook, and by the time it gets crispy, your asparagus will be overcooked and mushy.

Thin cut bacon crisps up fast in the air fryer and matches the cook time of the asparagus perfectly. If all you have is thick cut, you can partially cook it in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes before wrapping so it has a head start.

Pick the Right Size Asparagus

Go for medium-thick asparagus spears if you can. The really thin ones tend to overcook and turn limp before the bacon has a chance to get crispy.

If you only find thin asparagus at the store, just add an extra spear to each bundle so it holds up better. On the other hand, if you grab really thick spears, you might need to add a minute or two to the cook time so they get tender all the way through.

Wrap the Bacon Tight

When you wrap the bacon around each bundle, pull it snug and make sure there are no loose or floppy ends. Loose bacon tends to unravel during cooking and won’t crisp up evenly.

Tuck the end of the bacon slice underneath the bundle so it sits against the air fryer basket. The weight of the asparagus will hold it in place and keep everything together while it cooks.

If you’re having trouble keeping it tight, a toothpick through the bacon where it overlaps does the trick. Just remember to remove it before serving.

Related Recipes

• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
• Air Fryer Crispy Brussels Sprouts & Bacon
• Air Fryer Steak Bites with Garlic Butter
• Air Fryer Everything Bagel Salmon
• Air Fryer Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I cook bacon wrapped asparagus in the air fryer?

Cook the bundles at 400°F for about 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The exact time depends on how thick your asparagus is and how crispy you like your bacon.

Keep an eye on them during the last couple of minutes since the brown sugar can go from caramelized to burnt pretty quickly. You want the bacon to be golden and crispy all the way around.