There's something truly irresistible about the salty crispiness of prosciutto paired with tender asparagus—it's a flavor combo that just works every time. This Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bites Recipe is simple, elegant, and makes for a perfect appetizer or side that impresses without stress.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bites Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bites Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bites Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've made these prosciutto wrapped asparagus bites countless times, and they never fail to steal the show—whether it's a quick weeknight snack or a fancy dinner party starter. Let me share why this recipe became an instant favorite in my kitchen.
- Simple Ingredients: Just four basic but wonderful ingredients come together for a dish that's anything but basic.
- Quick and Easy Prep: Takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish, no complicated steps involved.
- Elegant Presentation: Looks fancy enough for guests but effortless enough for everyday meals.
- Delicious Texture Contrast: Crispy prosciutto wrapping tender asparagus adds a beautiful bite every time.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bites Recipe plays a starring role. Freshness and quality are keys here—the simplicity lets every flavor shine through, so choosing good ingredients pays off big.
- Fresh asparagus: Look for firm, bright green stalks. Thin to medium thickness works best for wrapping.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle richness and helps the prosciutto crisp up beautifully under the broiler.
- Thinly sliced prosciutto: The saltiness and crisp texture when broiled create the signature irresistible bite.
- Ground black pepper: Simple seasoning that elevates the flavor without overpowering the delicate asparagus.
Make It Your Way
What I love about this Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bites Recipe is how easily it adapts to your preferences. I often tweak it a bit depending on the occasion or what I have on hand.
- Variation: Sometimes I sprinkle a little grated Parmesan cheese on top before broiling for an extra flavor punch—it's a personal favorite twist.
- Seasonal tweak: When asparagus is out of season, thin green beans wrapped in prosciutto make a surprisingly delicious alternative.
- Diet-friendly: For a lower sodium option, choose a low-sodium prosciutto or rinse the slices briefly before wrapping (then pat dry).
Step-by-Step: How I Make Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Asparagus Like a Pro
Start by preheating your broiler and lining a sheet pan with foil for easy cleanup—I’m all about keeping the kitchen mess minimal! Trim any tough ends off your asparagus to ensure every bite is tender. Then, drizzle the stalks with olive oil and toss them gently so they're evenly coated but not soaked. This little step helps the prosciutto crisp up gorgeously and keeps the asparagus from drying out.
Step 2: Wrap ‘Em Up with Love
Next, slice your prosciutto strips in half crosswise for manageable wraps. One half slice per stalk is usually perfect. Wrap each asparagus stalk tightly in prosciutto—this keeps everything snug and ensures the prosciutto crisps on the outside while locking in sweetness of the asparagus. I find wrapping it neatly but not too tight makes the best texture once broiled.
Step 3: Broil to Crispy Perfection
Place the wrapped stalks in a single layer on your foil-lined sheet tray. Season with ground black pepper (I like a generous grind here). Broil for about 3 to 4 minutes on one side, then carefully flip and broil another 3 to 4 minutes. Keep a close eye so the prosciutto crisps without burning—once you see those crispy golden edges and tender asparagus, you’re done. It’s easier than it sounds!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few little tricks to make these prosciutto wrapped asparagus bites turn out perfectly every time—here’s what helped me the most:
- Don’t overcrowd your pan: Giving each stalk some breathing room helps the prosciutto crisp up evenly instead of steaming.
- Watch your broiler closely: It cooks fast and varies by oven; keep an eye so nothing burns.
- Use thin prosciutto slices: Thicker cuts take longer to crisp and can overpower the asparagus.
- Flip gently: Use tongs or a spatula carefully to prevent unraveling your pretty little wraps.
How to Serve Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I usually finish these with a quick sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness. Sometimes, I add little shreds of fresh Parmesan or a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives, which bring a fresh pop that’s just lovely.
Side Dishes
These bites pair beautifully with light summer salads, creamy risotto, or alongside a charcuterie board full of cheeses and olives. They work well with grilled chicken or fish too, adding a salty, crisp contrast that balances out richer dishes.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like arranging the asparagus bites standing up in a shallow bowl lined with fresh greens—it makes grabbing them easy and looks stunning on the table. Another fun idea is threading a few wrapped stalks onto skewers for a charming finger-food presentation that guests love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (although they usually disappear fast!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep nicely for up to 2 days, but I find they’re best eaten the same day to enjoy that perfect crispness.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t my favorite with this recipe because the texture of asparagus and prosciutto changes quite a bit after thawing, but if you must, wrap tightly and freeze for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat and keep that crispy edge, I pop them back under the broiler for a couple minutes or gently warm in a hot skillet. Avoid the microwave if you want to maintain texture; it tends to make prosciutto soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can prep the asparagus and wrap it in prosciutto a few hours in advance and keep it refrigerated. However, I recommend broiling right before serving to keep the prosciutto crispy and the asparagus tender.
Thin to medium asparagus stalks work best because they cook evenly and wrap nicely without the prosciutto sliding off. Thick stalks can take longer to cook and may require adjustments in broiling time.
Absolutely! Thinly sliced Serrano ham or even bacon (pre-cooked slightly) can be great alternatives. Just keep in mind the saltiness and cooking times might differ slightly.
Handle the prosciutto gently and wrap without stretching it too tightly. Using thin slices helps a lot. If the prosciutto tears, you can layer a small piece over to cover spots—no one will notice!
Final Thoughts
This Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bites Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it manages to hit all the marks: easy, elegant, and absolutely delicious. I’m pretty sure you’ll find yourself making it on repeat once you try it. Trust me, whether it’s a casual snack or part of a dinner spread, it never disappoints—and you’ll love how effortlessly it elevates any meal.
Print
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus is a simple yet elegant appetizer or side dish featuring fresh asparagus stalks wrapped in savory, thinly sliced prosciutto and broiled to crispy perfection. With just four ingredients, this recipe is quick to prepare and always impresses guests with its delightful combination of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 12 stalks fresh asparagus
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 slices prosciutto (very thinly sliced)
- ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler: Set your oven broiler to high and line a sheet pan with foil to prepare for cooking and easy cleanup.
- Prepare the asparagus: Arrange the asparagus stalks in a single layer on the sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and toss gently to coat all stalks evenly.
- Wrap with prosciutto: Cut each slice of prosciutto in half crosswise, then wrap each piece tightly around an asparagus stalk to cover most of it.
- Season: Sprinkle ground black pepper over the wrapped asparagus to taste for added flavor.
- Broil until crisp: Place the sheet pan under the broiler and cook the asparagus for 4 minutes on one side, then carefully flip and broil for another 4 minutes until the asparagus is tender and the prosciutto edges are crispy.
- Serve immediately: Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving platter, serving hot for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use very thinly sliced prosciutto to ensure it crisps up nicely under the broiler without burning.
- Trim the tough ends of the asparagus before cooking if desired for a cleaner presentation.
- For a dairy-free and gluten-free appetizer, this recipe fits perfectly without modifications.
- Serve as an elegant appetizer or a flavorful side dish for dinner parties or casual meals.
- If you prefer less salt, reduce the amount of prosciutto or choose a lower sodium variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 stalks
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg
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