Name: Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 12 spears asparagus ((Note 1)); 6 slices bacon, cut in half widthwise ((Note 2)); 3 ounces cream cheese; 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Summary:

Asparagus spears are cut into bite-sized pieces, bundled together with a cream cheese stuffing, and wrapped in bacon. Since they're bite-sized, you can serve them as a finger food appetizer.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bites

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Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 35 mins

Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

▢ 12 spears asparagus (Note 1)
▢ 6 slices bacon, cut in half widthwise (Note 2)

Cream Cheese Filling:

▢ 3 ounces cream cheese
▢ 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
▢ 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

INSTRUCTIONS

Precook Bacon: Cook bacon in wide pan over medium heat until some fat is rendered but slices are still soft and pliable. Drain bacon on paper towels.
Prepare Equipment: Preheat oven to 400 F. Prepare baking sheet lined with foil and fitted with wire rack (Note 3).
Cut Asparagus: Trim each asparagus spear by cutting off tough woody end so that 6 inches of asparagus is remaining. Cut each trimmed spear into 3 equal pieces, and place these 3 pieces side by side to form one bundle.
Make Filling: Microwave cream cheese until very soft and easily mixed, about 15 seconds (Note 4). Stir with cheddar cheese and garlic powder until well-mixed.
Assemble: Spread about 1 teaspoon of cream cheese filling onto each bundle of 3 asparagus pieces, and wrap with 1 slice of bacon. Place bundles with seam side facing down on wire rack.
Bake: Bake at 400 F until bacon is crispy and any exposed cream cheese is browning, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve immediately (Note 5).

NUTRITION

Makes 4 Servings

Amount Per Serving (3 pieces):

Calories 160 (70% from fat)
Total Fat 13g	20%
Saturated Fat 7g	36%
Cholesterol 40mg	13%
Sodium 310mg	13%
Net Carb 1.5g
Total Carb 2g	1%
Dietary Fiber 0.5g	3%
Sugars 0.5g
Protein 8g

Vitamin A 12% · Vitamin C 4% · Calcium 9% · Iron 3%

PHOTOS

cream cheese and cheddar and garlic in white bowl

stirring cream cheese and cheddar together

bacon wrapped asparagus bites after baking

NOTES & TIPS

(1) Asparagus. I use fresh raw spears available in the produce area of grocery stores, not frozen or canned.

(2) Bacon. A widthwise cut means that each bacon slice will be half as long as before.

(3) Wire Rack. Using a wire rack is ideal to allow the bacon grease to drip below instead of pooling around the wrapped asparagus bites. If you don’t use a wire rack and end up with greasy asparagus bites, drain them on paper towels before serving. For easier release from the wire rack, optionally spray with nonstick cooking spray.

(4) Heating Cream Cheese. It’s important to microwave the cream cheese until very soft and pliable before attempting to mix it with other ingredients; otherwise, you’ll have a hard time stirring everything together. If you don’t have a microwave, you can let the cream cheese sit on the countertop until softened, or use a different heat source like a double boiler.

(5) Serving. As is often the case with foods that contain a cream cheese based stuffing (like crab stuffed mushrooms or bacon wrapped jalapeños), these asparagus bites are best eaten immediately after baking. They are fabulous when the filling is hot and melty, and not so great once they’ve cooled down.