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Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Bundles

Small bundles of asparagus wrapped in bacon with a touch of brown sugar and lemon zest, air fried until the bacon crisps and the spears stay bright.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 bundles
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lb asparagus medium spears, woody ends trimmed to 5 to 6 inches
  • 12 slices bacon regular cut
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar optional
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • black pepper and a pinch of salt
  • 1 lemon zested

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Large bowl

Method
 

  1. Toss the spears with the oil, garlic powder, pepper, a small pinch of salt, lemon zest, and the brown sugar if using.
  2. Group 4 to 5 spears, wrap a bacon slice around the middle with a slight overlap, and tuck the end underneath. Chill 10 minutes to set the shape.
  3. Preheat to 390°F. Arrange the bundles seam-side down in a single layer, not crowded. Cook 10 to 12 minutes, flipping at 6, until the bacon is deep golden and rendered.
  4. Rest 2 minutes to set the bacon.

Notes

Regular-cut bacon, not thick — thick bacon won't crisp before the asparagus overcooks.
Medium spears; thin ones go limp.
Seam-side down and spaced out so the bacon crisps all around.