Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
These Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Spears are simple, elegant, and ready in under 20 minutes! Fresh asparagus wrapped in salty prosciutto roasts to perfection for an easy appetizer or flavorful side dish and great for the holidays.
This prosciutto wrapped asparagus recipe is one of those recipes that looks fancy but is so ridiculously easy to make, it almost feels like cheating.
You’ve got salty, crispy prosciutto hugging tender, roasted asparagus that’s packaged up beautifully. Whether I’m trying to pull together something that looks impressive for a holiday or just making a side dish that feels a little extra on a random Tuesday, these always hit the spot.
And honestly? Half the time I’m just making them so I can snack on something that feels classy without putting in actual effort. They’re gluten-free, keto-friendly, and loaded with flavor, but mostly I just love that they make me look like I have it all together.
🥓 Ingredients You’ll Need
- Asparagus: Go for thicker spears if you can find them. They hold up better during roasting and don’t turn to mush. Fresh, bright green asparagus with tightly closed tips is your best bet.
- Prosciutto: High-quality prosciutto makes a big difference here. It’s thin, salty, and has just the right amount of fat to crisp up beautifully when roasted. Feel free to swap it with pancetta or even bacon if that’s what you have.
- Olive Oil: Just a little drizzle helps everything crisp up perfectly in the oven.
- Seasonings: I like to keep it simple with salt and pepper, but garlic powder, lemon zest, or even a sprinkle of parmesan cheese can take it to the next level.
📖 How To Make Asparagus Wrapped In Prosciutto
1️⃣ Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
2️⃣ Trim the Asparagus: Wash the asparagus thoroughly and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Trim the tough, woody ends by snapping or cutting off about an inch from the bottom of each stalk.
3️⃣ Wrap the Asparagus with Prosciutto: Lay a slice of prosciutto flat on a clean surface. Place one asparagus spear at one end of the prosciutto and gently wrap it around the spear, slightly overlapping as you go. If the prosciutto slice is long, you can either trim the excess or double wrap for extra flavor. Repeat with the remaining asparagus spears.
4️⃣ Arrange and Season: Place the wrapped asparagus spears in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they’re not touching to allow for even roasting. For added flavor, drizzle them lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper. You don’t need to add salt since the prosciutto is already salty.
5️⃣ Roast in the oven: Roast the asparagus spears in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the prosciutto is crispy and the asparagus is tender. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking; you want the prosciutto to be crisp but not burned.
6️⃣ Serve and Enjoy: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the spears cool for a couple of minutes before serving. Transfer them to a serving platter and enjoy them as a sophisticated appetizer or a delicious side dish.
🔥Other Cooking Methods
Air Fryer: For extra crispiness in a shorter time, use the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the prosciutto-wrapped asparagus in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the prosciutto is crisp and the asparagus is cooked through.
Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F / 200°C). Place the asparagus spears directly on the grill grates or on a grill mat to prevent sticking. Grill for about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until the prosciutto is crispy and slightly charred, and the asparagus is tender.
Broiling: If you prefer a faster method, broil the asparagus spears on high for 5-7 minutes. Place the baking sheet on the upper rack of your oven and monitor closely to prevent burning. This method produces a slightly charred, smoky flavor but requires extra attention to avoid overcooking.
🧀Ways To Customize
- Swap prosciutto with bacon or pancetta for a version that delivers extra crispiness and smoky flavor.
- Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano over the spears before roasting to enhance the salty, savory flavor with a cheesy finish.
- Use turkey bacon or plant-based prosciutto for a lower-fat or vegetarian-friendly option that still offers a satisfying, savory bite.
- Brush the asparagus with a light coating of balsamic glaze before wrapping to add a touch of sweetness that balances the salty prosciutto.
- Spread a thin layer of garlic herb cream cheese on the prosciutto before wrapping to add a rich, creamy element that complements the asparagus.
- Sprinkle the wrapped spears with crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick of heat that pairs well with the salty, crispy prosciutto.
- Wrap spears with thin slices of smoked salmon instead of prosciutto for a seafood twist that’s especially appealing for brunch or special occasions.
- Season the asparagus with lemon zest and cracked black pepper before wrapping to brighten the flavors and add a refreshing, citrusy note.
- Use white asparagus instead of green for a milder, slightly sweeter flavor that pairs beautifully with salty prosciutto.
- Drizzle the finished spears with truffle oil right before serving to elevate the dish with earthy, luxurious richness.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Make it a meal and serve prosciutto bundles as a side with a protein dish and starch. They go great with:
- Roasted Chicken Thighs & Potatoes
- Grilled BBQ Porkchops & Corn on the Cob
- Creamy Lemon Chicken
- Pecan Crusted Chicken & Baked Brie Mac and Cheese
♻️ Storing & Reheating
Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow them to cool completely before refrigerating to maintain the best texture. Freezing is not recommended as the asparagus can become mushy and the prosciutto loses its crispiness after thawing.
Reheating: Reheat leftover spears in a preheated oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes or in an air fryer at 350°F for about 3-4 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it will make the prosciutto soggy.
❔FAQ
Yes. Instead of bundles, you can wrap the spears solo in prosciutto and bake in a single layer on a baking sheet. Depending on the size of the spears, you may need to bake them a few minutes less.
Absolutely. Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees and then cook prosciutto-wrapped asparagus in a single-layer for 10 to 12 minutes. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to work in batches.
Up to a day before you’re serving this recipe, you can wrap the spears in the prosciutto and keep them in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to bake, drizzle the bundles with oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake as directed.
Yes, but bacon takes longer to cook. If using bacon, partially cook it before wrapping the asparagus to achieve a crispy texture without overcooking the asparagus.
Wrap the prosciutto tightly around the asparagus and overlap slightly as you go. Roasting on parchment paper or a greased baking sheet also helps prevent sticking.
Overcrowding the baking sheet or using thick slices of prosciutto can prevent crisping. Make sure the spears have space between them and use thinly sliced prosciutto for best results.
🥦More Vegetable Sides
- Everything Bagel Green Beans Almondine
- Air Fryer Cabbage
- Mexican Cauliflower Rice
- Roasted Kabocha Squash
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Equipment
- baking sheet
- Parchment Paper
- sharp knife
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus trimmed
- 4 slices prosciutto
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Trim the Asparagus: Wash the asparagus thoroughly and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Trim the tough, woody ends by snapping or cutting off about an inch from the bottom of each stalk.
- Wrap the Asparagus with Prosciutto: Lay a slice of prosciutto flat on a clean surface. Place one asparagus spear at one end of the prosciutto and gently wrap it around the spear, slightly overlapping as you go. If the prosciutto slice is long, you can either trim the excess or double wrap for extra flavor. Repeat with the remaining asparagus spears.
- Arrange and Season: Place the wrapped asparagus spears in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they’re not touching to allow for even roasting. For added flavor, drizzle them lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper. You don’t need to add salt since the prosciutto is already salty.
- Roast in the oven: Roast the asparagus spears in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the prosciutto is crispy and the asparagus is tender. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking; you want the prosciutto to be crisp but not burned.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the spears cool for a couple of minutes before serving. Transfer them to a serving platter and enjoy them as a sophisticated appetizer or a delicious side dish.
