Crispy Bacon Wrapped Around Tender Seasoned Potatoes for an Easy, Savory Side Dish or Party Appetizer
If you love crispy bacon and perfectly roasted potatoes, these Bacon Wrapped Potatoes are a match made in heaven. Small potatoes are seasoned, wrapped in smoky bacon, and baked until the potatoes are tender and the bacon is beautifully crisp.
They’re incredibly simple to make and work just as well as a side dish for dinner as they do for a party appetizer. Serve them with ranch dressing, sour cream, or your favorite dipping sauce for an irresistible bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy, smoky bacon
- Tender roasted potatoes
- Simple ingredients
- Easy to prepare
- Great party appetizer
- Delicious side dish
- Perfect for game days
- Easy to customize
- Wonderful with dipping sauces
- Family-friendly
Ingredients
For the Bacon Wrapped Potatoes
- 1½ pounds baby potatoes, preferably small and similar in size
- 12–16 slices bacon, cut in half
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Toothpicks, as needed
For Serving
- Ranch dressing
- Sour cream
- Chive and sour cream dip
- Barbecue sauce
- Honey mustard
- Fresh chopped parsley or chives
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
For even crispier bacon, place a wire rack over the baking sheet.
Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes
Wash the baby potatoes thoroughly and dry them well.
If some potatoes are larger than bite-sized, cut them in half so they are all approximately the same size.
Place the potatoes in a large bowl.
Step 3: Season the Potatoes
Add the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and dried parsley.
Toss until the potatoes are evenly coated.
Step 4: Wrap the Potatoes
Take one half-slice of bacon and wrap it tightly around each potato.
Secure the bacon with a toothpick.
If the potato is particularly small, you may need only part of a bacon slice.
Place the wrapped potatoes seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet or wire rack.
Step 5: Arrange the Potatoes
Leave a little space between each potato.
Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet because good airflow helps the bacon become crisp.
Step 6: Bake
Place the potatoes in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 35–45 minutes, turning them once halfway through cooking.
The potatoes should become tender when pierced with a fork, while the bacon should be browned and crisp.
Step 7: Crisp the Bacon
If the potatoes are tender but the bacon isn’t quite crisp enough, switch the oven to broil.
Broil for approximately 1–3 minutes, watching carefully so the bacon doesn’t burn.
Step 8: Rest
Remove the potatoes from the oven.
Allow them to rest for approximately 5 minutes before serving.
Carefully remove the toothpicks if desired.
Step 9: Serve
Transfer the bacon-wrapped potatoes to a serving platter.
Garnish with fresh parsley or chopped chives.
Serve warm with ranch dressing, sour cream, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips for the Best Bacon Wrapped Potatoes
Choose small potatoes
Baby potatoes or other small varieties work best because they cook at approximately the same rate as the bacon.
Dry the potatoes well
Excess moisture can prevent the bacon from becoming properly crisp.
Don’t use overly thick bacon
Regular-cut bacon generally cooks more evenly around the potatoes than very thick-cut bacon.
Don’t overcrowd the pan
Leaving space between the potatoes allows hot air to circulate and helps the bacon crisp.
Use a wire rack
A rack allows the bacon fat to drip away from the potatoes and helps the bacon cook more evenly.
Turn halfway through
Turning the potatoes helps the bacon brown on multiple sides.
Delicious Variations
Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Potatoes
Make a small slit in each potato and add a little shredded cheddar cheese before wrapping it with bacon.
BBQ Bacon Potatoes
Brush the bacon-wrapped potatoes with barbecue sauce during the final 5–10 minutes of baking.
Ranch Bacon Potatoes
Toss the potatoes with ranch seasoning before wrapping them in bacon.
Jalapeño Bacon Potatoes
Add a thin slice of jalapeño beneath the bacon for a spicy kick.
Garlic Herb Bacon Potatoes
Use fresh rosemary, thyme, and minced garlic instead of dried seasonings.
Parmesan Bacon Potatoes
Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the potatoes during the final few minutes of baking.
Sweet and Smoky Bacon Potatoes
Add a small amount of brown sugar and smoked paprika to the seasoning mixture for a sweet-savory glaze.
Maple Bacon Potatoes
Brush with a little maple syrup during the final few minutes for a delicious sweet and smoky finish.
What to Serve With Bacon Wrapped Potatoes
These potatoes pair wonderfully with:
- Ranch dressing
- Sour cream
- Barbecue sauce
- Honey mustard
- Garlic aioli
- Chive dip
- Grilled chicken
- Steak
- Burgers
- Roasted vegetables
- Grilled meats
- Fresh green salad
For a party, serve them with ranch dressing and barbecue sauce for dipping.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can prepare the potatoes several hours ahead.
Wash and season the potatoes, wrap them with bacon, and arrange them on the baking sheet.
Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
Remove them from the refrigerator approximately 15–20 minutes before cooking.
Bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if necessary.
Storage
Allow leftover bacon-wrapped potatoes to cool before placing them in an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
For the best texture, reheat them in a 400°F (200°C) oven or air fryer until hot and crisp.
Avoid relying on the microwave if you want to maintain crispy bacon.
Air Fryer Instructions
Bacon-wrapped potatoes are also excellent in an air fryer.
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Arrange the potatoes in a single layer without overcrowding.
Cook for approximately 20–25 minutes, turning them halfway through.
Check that the potatoes are fork-tender and the bacon is crisp before serving.
Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the potatoes and your air fryer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What potatoes are best for bacon-wrapped potatoes?
Baby potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, and small red potatoes all work very well.
Do I need to boil the potatoes first?
No. Small potatoes can be cooked completely in the oven. However, briefly parboiling larger potatoes can shorten the roasting time.
Why isn’t my bacon crispy?
Excess moisture, overcrowding, or very thick bacon can prevent the bacon from crisping properly. Use dry potatoes, leave space between them, and broil briefly at the end if necessary.
Can I use turkey bacon?
Yes, although turkey bacon usually contains less fat and may not become as crisp or rich as traditional pork bacon.
Can I use frozen potatoes?
Fresh potatoes are recommended because frozen potatoes can release additional moisture and may not cook as evenly.
Can I make these without toothpicks?
You can sometimes place the bacon seam-side down so it stays in place, but toothpicks provide extra security and make the potatoes easier to handle.
Can I make these in an air fryer?
Absolutely. Air frying produces particularly crisp bacon and usually takes about 20–25 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
Perfect for Any Occasion
Bacon Wrapped Potatoes are perfect for:
- Game-day parties
- Family dinners
- Holiday gatherings
- Barbecues
- Potlucks
- Tailgating
- Dinner parties
- Weekend appetizers
- Cookouts
- Holiday side dishes
They’re especially popular as a party appetizer because they’re easy to pick up and dip.
Final Thoughts
Bacon Wrapped Potatoes are proof that a few simple ingredients can create something incredibly delicious. Tender seasoned potatoes wrapped in smoky, crispy bacon make an irresistible combination that’s perfect for almost any occasion.
Serve them hot with ranch, sour cream, or barbecue sauce for dipping, and enjoy a simple side dish or appetizer that’s sure to disappear quickly.
