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Make your holiday side dishes shine with this easy bacon-wrapped asparagus in the oven brushed with a buttery honey-pecan glaze that caramelizes into pure magic. 🥓💚
It's salty-sweet, perfectly crisp, and guaranteed to steal the spotlight at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any dinner where you want people fighting over the last bundle.
I tested this recipe several ways: oven-baked, air-fried, and grilled, and the oven version wins for simplicity and perfect texture every time. Let's get cooking!
Table of Contents
Baked right in the oven (no grill required), this bacon-wrapped asparagus recipe delivers serious flavor with simple ingredients and almost no cleanup.
Whether it's on your Thanksgiving spread or paired with steak on a weeknight, it's as stunning as it is satisfying.
🔍 Recipe at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| 🔪 Prep Time: | 10 minutes |
| 🔥 Cook Time: | 20-25 minutes (+ 1-3 min. broil) |
| ⏲️ Total Time: | 35 minutes |
| 🍽️ Servings: | 6 servings |
| 🌟Skill Level: | Easy |
| 🎉 Perfect For: | Holidays • Date Nights • Grilling Season |
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Every Time. Baking at 400°F and finishing with a quick broil makes the bacon beautifully crisp while keeping the asparagus tender.
- That Honey Pecan Glaze. It's buttery, nutty, and just sweet enough to balance the salty bacon; and it looks gorgeous on the holiday table or dinner table.
- Fast & Easy. No blanching, no fancy prep, just wrap, brush, and bake.
- Year-Round Versatility. Perfect for Valentine's steak night, Easter brunch, summer grilling, or as a Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday dinner.
- Make-Ahead Friendly. Assemble the bundles a day ahead, refrigerate, and bake before serving.
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
Each bundle is simple but impressive. Here's what goes into it:
- Asparagus Spears - Choose medium-thick spears so they roast without shriveling. Trim tough ends.
- Bacon - Regular (not thick-cut) crisps faster. For thick-cut, par-cook 3-5 minutes before wrapping.
- Butter - Helps the glaze caramelize and promotes that golden sheen.
- Honey - Natural sweetness for balance; swap with maple syrup if you prefer.
- Chopped Pecans - Add texture and flavor contrast. Substitute walnuts, almonds, or skip nuts altogether.
- Soy Sauce - Deepens flavor and adds umami (a little goes a long way).
- Garlic Powder & Black Pepper - Simple seasoning that complements the glaze.
- Wire Rack - Optional but helps air circulate for extra crisp bacon.
🔪 How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Bundles in the Oven
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Set a wire rack on top if you have one. It helps render the bacon evenly crisp.
Step 2: Prep the Asparagus
Rinse the asparagus and trim off the tough, woody ends.
Step 3: Wrap the Bundles
Divide into bundles of 3-4 spears each. Wrap each bundle tightly with 1 strip of bacon, spiraling from base to tip, and lay seam-side down on the rack or pan.
Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet or greased dish.
Step 4: Mix the Glaze
In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in honey, pecans, soy sauce, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer for 1-2 minutes.
Step 5: Brush and Bake
Brush each bundle generously with glaze. For crispier bacon, place bundles on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bacon is caramelized and asparagus is tender.
Step 6: Broil for Color
For extra crispiness, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully.
Step 7: Serve Hot
Let rest for a few minutes, then transfer to a platter and serve warm. Drizzle with extra glaze (if desire) and sprinkle with a few pecans for crunch.
These bacon-wrapped beauties are ready to impress.
🧠 Pro Tips for Success
- ✅ Use wire rack – It helps the bacon crisp evenly.
- ✅ Use thin-cut bacon for faster crisping.
- ✅ For thick-cut, par-cook 3-5 minutes first.
- ✅ Add the glaze during the last 5-7 minutes of baking to prevent burning.
- ✅ Always broil with the door slightly cracked and watch closely.
- ✅ Let the bundles rest 2-3 minutes before serving so the glaze sets.
🔄 Easy Variations
- Maple Pecan: Swap honey for pure maple syrup.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne to the glaze.
- Nut-Free: Omit pecans and add a drizzle of extra honey after baking for shine.
- Air Fryer: 400°F for 10-12 minutes until crisp. 👉 Try with Easy Air Fryer Carrots.
- Grill: Medium heat ~12 minutes, turning often and brushing with glaze during last few minutes. 👉 Pair with Grilled Mahi Mahi or Grilled Chicken Breasts.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
These bundles are beautiful next to roast turkey, ham, or prime rib, and equally perfect beside a grilled steak or chicken breast for summer dinners.
For holidays, pair them with Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, or a Cranberry Fluff Salad for color and texture contrast.
They also make a fun appetizer - just cut the bundles in half before serving!
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Reheat at 375°F for 6-8 minutes to re-crisp, or in an air fryer for 3-4 minutes.
- Avoid microwaving – it softens the bacon.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Bake 20-25 minutes, then broil 1-3 minutes for extra crispness. Use a wire rack if you have one.
Not for thin-cut bacon. If using thick-cut, par-cook a few minutes first so the asparagus doesn’t overcook.
Yes! Assemble the bundles the day before. Glaze and bake just before serving.
No. Baking at 400°F. softens the spears just enough, and roasts them perfectly tender without extra steps.
Use the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. The microwave will make the bacon chewy, so skip it if you can.
Absolutely. Leave them out or swap with walnuts or almonds for a different crunch.
💬 Final Thoughts
Whether it's for a holiday feast, a summer cookout, or a date night dinner, these bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles are your new secret weapon.
They're simple to prep, gorgeous on the table, and that honey-pecan glaze … well, it gets people talking.
Make them once - and you'll be asked to bring them every time. 😉
If you try it, I'd love to hear what you think-leave a comment, rate the recipe, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and share with anyone who loves an impressive holiday side dish!
📖 Recipe Card
Recipe
Honey Pecan Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh asparagus ends trimmed
- 8 slices thin-cut bacon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare The Asparagus
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Rinse the asparagus under cool water and trim the tough ends.- Divide the asparagus into bundles of 3 to 4 spears each.
Wrap with Bacon
- Wrap a slice of bacon around each asparagus bundle, starting from the bottom and spiraling upwards. Ensure the bacon overlaps slightly to secure the bundle.
- Place the bundles seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased baking dish.
Prepare The Honey Pecan Glaze
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
Stir in the honey, chopped pecans, soy sauce, and garlic powder. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is well combined and slightly thickened.
Glaze and Season
- Line a pan with tinfoil or place a cooling rack on a large cookie sheet. Place the bundles on the pan.
- Brush the honey pecan glaze generously over each bacon-wrapped asparagus bundle.
Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender.
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the bundles for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and let the bundles rest for a few minutes.
Serve
- Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm.
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