If you’re looking for the perfect mashup of sweet and savory in an easy fall snack, then try these bacon wrapped apples! I make mine in the air fryer for a delicious bite-sized combo that’s simple yet impressive. They’re perfect for fall entertaining, including as a Thanksgiving appetizer!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Sweet and Savory Mix
The combination of crispy, salty bacon with tender, juicy, sweet apples is irresistible. It’s a balanced flavor pairing that feels gourmet yet comforting!
Easy Yet Impressive
They look fancy enough for parties and holidays (like Thanksgiving or New Year’s), but are actually simple to prepare with just two main ingredients (along with some seasonings to add a little bit “extra” to them).
Versatile
Bacon wrapped apples work as an appetizer, a fun side dish, or even a brunch addition. They pair well with cheeses, dips, and charcuterie boards, too. They’re one of my favorites for fall entertaining in particular!
Crowd-Pleasing
Both kids and adults love them. They offer the familiarity of bacon with a fun twist that makes people reach for seconds. They’re also easy to customize with different flavors, and naturally gluten free so they work for different dietary needs well.
Perfect for Seasonal Eating
They’re especially great in the fall when apples are abundant, but also work year-round for gatherings, game days, or just a treat at home. It’s a nice change from just enjoying an apple as a fresh fruit, which is how 60% of them are eaten in the US.
Quick + Easy Recipes
straight to your inbox
Ingredient List
- 2-3 apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1” thick wedges
- 12 slices bacon, cut in half
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 ½ Tbsp hot honey (optional)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You want to get about 24 slices in total from your apples, so depending on their size you’ll need 2-3 on average. You want a firm apple (not a mushy variety), so use Granny Smith to balance sweetness, or something like a Gala, Fuji, or Jazz for a less tart option. I cut 3 Gala apples into eighths each for this recipe
- Instead of bacon halves, you could do thirds (then you’ll only need 8 slices) – the apples will stick out more here
- Feel free to add other spices like nutmeg or allspice in with the cinnamon to create an apple pie feel (but this is optional). You could also add a sprinkle of salt, but I don’t find it necessary with the saltiness of the bacon
- I like to add hot honey for a little sweet heat finish. You could also use regular honey, and for a less sweet option use it in place of the brown sugar. Feel free to add cayenne pepper to taste with the cinnamon for another spiced variation!
- Cheese variation: you can add a small slice of cheddar cheese or brie along the side of the apple slice. Wrap it well with the bacon to minimize leaking!
Step By Step Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cinnamon and sugar, then add the bacon strips and toss to evenly coat
- Grab the slices of apples, then wrap a half strip of uncooked bacon around each one, starting at one end and working towards the other. Repeat until all wrapped I usually tuck the end to keep it from unraveling, but you could also secure it with a soaked toothpick
- Place bacon-wrapped apple slices into your air fryer’s basket or rack seam side down in a single layer, with air space between each one. Cook in batches if needed to prevent overcrowding
- Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until bacon is browned and mostly crisp. Then, brush or spoon on the hot honey (if using), and cook an additional 3-5 minutes, until caramelized to your liking
- Remove the toothpicks (if you used them; you can add fresh ones for serving as an appetizer), drizzle with additional hot honey if desired, and enjoy!
Alternate Oven Directions
- Place apples on a wire rack atop a baking sheet (if you don’t have a rack, you can make a makeshift one from foil, or you’ll need to flip the apples a couple times during baking)
- Bake in an oven preheated to 350°F for 20-25 minutes (flip after 10 if you don’t have a wire rack)
- Brush the honey on during the last 5 minutes or so of cooking. Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Cheese & Charcuterie
- Serve alongside a cheese board with sharp cheddar, gouda, brie, or blue cheese
- Add cured meats like prosciutto or salami for a full sweet-salty spread!
Salads & Greens
- Pair with an arugula or spinach salad with goat cheese, candied nuts, and balsamic vinaigrette (you can even add the apples to the salad as a topper)!
- Try a kale salad with cranberries and pecans to balance the richness
Main Courses
- Serve next to roasted pork tenderloin or chicken—apples and pork are a classic combo!
- They also complement grilled sausages beautifully. Try some Air Fryer Smoked Sausage if you don’t have a grill!
Drinks
- Enjoy with crisp ciders (hard or non-alcoholic), sparkling wine, or a bourbon cocktail. Try my Caramel Apple Hard Cider or a Crown Apple Whiskey Sour for some perfect pairings!
- Hot apple cider or even a light beer also works well!
Dips & Extras
- Offer a maple mustard dip or a creamy herb dip on the side
- Try a drizzle of maple syrup, caramel, or balsamic glaze over the top!
Recipe FAQs
Do Apples And Bacon Go Together?
Yes! Apples and bacon are a fantastic pairing. The salty, smoky flavor of bacon complements the natural sweetness and slight tartness of apples, creating a delicious sweet-savory contrast.
What Is Food Wrapped In Bacon Called?
Food wrapped in bacon is often called “bacon-wrapped,” followed by the food name, like bacon-wrapped apples or bacon-wrapped dates. More broadly, small bacon-wrapped appetizers are sometimes called “bacon bites” or “bacon bundles.”
What Meat Does Apple Go With?
Apple pairs especially well with pork—like chops, tenderloin, or bacon—but it also goes nicely with chicken and turkey. The sweet and tart notes of apple help complement and cut through richer meats.
Tips For the Best Bacon Wrapped Apples
- You can easily double the batch (or more) if you’d like to make more for a crowd. You can cut and wrap everything in advance (toss the apples in a little fresh lemon juice to prevent browning) and just cook before serving to save time
- I use Gala apples, regular (not thick cut) bacon, and have a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer (not preheated), so this recipe was created and tested with that combination. Other brands and varieties of these items can require cooking time adjustments, so tweak as needed for your specific circumstances
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Layer carefully: If stacking, place parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking
Reheating Tips
- Oven or Air Fryer: For best results, reheat at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-8 minutes in the oven or 3-5 minutes in the air fryer, until warmed through and bacon is crispy again
- Microwave: You can use the microwave for about 20-30 seconds, but the bacon won’t stay crispy.
- Bacon Wrapped Watermelon
- Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
Final Thoughts
These bacon wrapped apples are one of my favorite easy appetizer recipes for fall! They’re the perfect combination of sweet and savory, and make a perfect bite that’s packed with flavor and sure to impress.
Whether it’s Thanksgiving, New Year’s, game day, or any other get together, these delicious wrapped apple slices are perfect for your next party.
Looking for more great ways to use a bushel of fresh fruit? Check out all of my Air Fryer Apple Recipes for sweet, savory, and delicious options to try!
Bacon Wrapped Apples (Air Fryer)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2-3 apples (peeled, cored, and cut into approximately 1” thick wedges)
- 12 slices bacon (cut in half widthwise)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 ½ Tbsp hot honey (optional)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cinnamon and sugar, then add the bacon strips and toss to evenly coat12 slices bacon, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- Grab an apple slice, then wrap a half strip of uncooked bacon around it, starting at one end and working towards the other. Repeat until all wrapped. I usually tuck the end to keep it from unraveling, but you could also secure it with a toothpick that’s been soaked for 15-20 minutes in water2-3 apples
- Place bacon-wrapped apple slices into your air fryer’s basket or rack seam side down in a single layer, with air space between each one. Cook in batches if needed to prevent overcrowding
- Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until bacon is browned and mostly crisp. Then, brush or spoon on the hot honey (if using), and cook an additional 3-5 minutes, until caramelized to your liking1 ½ Tbsp hot honey
- Remove the toothpicks (if you used them; you can add fresh ones for serving as an appetizer), drizzle with additional hot honey if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- You want to get about 24 slices in total from your apples, so depending on their size you’ll need 2-3 on average. You want a firm apple (not a mushy variety), so use Granny Smith to balance sweetness, or something like a Gala, Fuji, or Jazz for a less tart option. I cut 3 Gala apples into eighths each for my version as pictured
- Instead of bacon halves, you could do thirds (then you’ll only need 8 slices) – the apples will stick out more here though
- Feel free to add other spices like nutmeg or allspice in with the cinnamon to create an apple pie feel (but this is optional). You could also add a sprinkle of salt, but I don’t find it necessary with the saltiness of the bacon
- I like to add hot honey for a little sweet heat finish. You could also use regular honey, or omit for a less-sweet option. Feel free to add cayenne pepper to taste with the cinnamon for another spiced variation!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, variety, size, and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or additions, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
soooo good! we looovveee bacon
Hi Juli, I’m so glad you loved these bacon wrapped apples! Everything is better with bacon, I totally agree! It’s a great sweet and salty bite.