Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans Appetizer
This easy party appetizer features crisp-tender green beans wrapped in smoky, caramelized bacon with a touch of brown sugar and cracked black pepper. It’s a crowd-pleasing, nostalgic comfort food perfect for gatherings, holidays, or a fun family night.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 16-20 bundles (about 6-8 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh green beans, trimmed
- 8–10 slices thin-cut bacon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. If available, set a wire rack on top.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add trimmed green beans and blanch for 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Transfer immediately to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking.
- Drain beans and pat thoroughly dry with paper towels.
- Toss beans with olive oil and a pinch of salt. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cracked black pepper, and garlic powder (if using).
- Gather 5-6 green beans into a bundle. Wrap one half-slice of bacon tightly around the middle of each bundle, overlapping to secure. Place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet or rack.
- Sprinkle each bundle with the brown sugar and pepper mixture.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until bacon is golden and crisp and beans are tender. Start checking at 16 minutes.
- For extra crispy bacon, broil bundles for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
- Let bundles cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
For extra crispy results, use thin-cut or center-cut bacon and space bundles evenly on the baking sheet. Blanching and ice bathing the beans keeps them vibrant and crisp. Secure bundles with toothpicks if needed (remove before serving). These are naturally gluten-free; for keto, skip the brown sugar or use a sugar-free substitute. Serve warm for best texture. Reheat leftovers in the oven, not microwave, to maintain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bundle
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 210
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
Keywords: bacon-wrapped green beans, party appetizer, easy appetizer, holiday appetizer, gluten-free, crowd-pleaser, finger food, bacon, green beans