Get ready to discover your new favorite appetizer! These Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potato bites are the ultimate combination of sweet, savory, and salty. Tender chunks of sweet potato are wrapped in crispy, caramelized bacon and coated in a simple brown sugar glaze that takes them over the top. Perfect for holiday parties, game day snacks, or as a surprisingly delicious side dish, this recipe is incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to disappear in minutes. If you’ve been searching for a crowd-pleasing snack, your search ends here.
Why This is the Best Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potato Recipe
You’re going to absolutely love this recipe, and here’s why. It strikes the perfect balance between textures and flavors—the soft, earthy sweet potato contrasts beautifully with the crispy, salty bacon. The brown sugar glaze adds a layer of candied sweetness that makes each bite completely irresistible.
- Incredibly Simple: With just a few common ingredients, you can whip up a truly impressive appetizer with minimal effort.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The sweet and salty combination is a universal favorite, making it a guaranteed hit with guests of all ages.
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve them hot from the oven as an appetizer with your favorite dip, or let them be the star side dish next to a main course like perfectly baked chicken thighs.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can easily prep these bites ahead of time, saving you precious minutes when you’re entertaining.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of pantry staples to create these delicious bites.
- Sweet Potatoes: Look for medium-sized sweet potatoes that are firm and have smooth skin. You’ll need about 1.5 pounds, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Bacon: Regular-cut bacon works best. Thick-cut bacon can take too long to crisp up, leaving the sweet potato overcooked.
- Brown Sugar: This is the key to the delicious caramelization. Light or dark brown sugar will work perfectly.
- Olive Oil: Just a touch to help the sweet potatoes soften and prevent sticking.
- Seasonings: We’re using a simple but flavorful mix of paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to complement the other ingredients. A pinch of cayenne is optional for a little heat!
For the Optional Maple-Dijon Dip:
- Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream: Provides a creamy, tangy base.
- Maple Syrup: Adds a touch of natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with the bacon.
- Dijon Mustard: For a zesty kick that cuts through the richness.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potato
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have perfect bacon wrapped sweet potato bites every time. We’ll cover both the oven and air fryer methods.
Oven-Baked Method (Classic & Crispy)
- Prep Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Peel and chop your sweet potatoes into uniform 1-inch cubes. Cut your bacon slices in half.
- Season the Potatoes: In a medium bowl, toss the sweet potato cubes with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated.
- Wrap Them Up: Wrap each seasoned sweet potato cube with a half-slice of bacon. Make sure the bacon seam is tucked underneath to prevent it from unraveling as it cooks. Arrange the wrapped bites seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- First Bake: Bake for 15 minutes. This initial bake begins cooking the potato and rendering the bacon fat.
- Add the Glaze: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the tops of the bacon.
- Second Bake: Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the brown sugar is melted and bubbly. For extra crispy bacon, you can switch to the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes, but watch it carefully to prevent burning!
- Rest and Serve: Let the bites cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving. The glaze will thicken slightly as it cools.
Air Fryer Method (Quick & Extra Crispy)
If you’re short on time, the air fryer delivers fantastically crispy results.
- Prep and Season: Season the sweet potato cubes as described above. Wrap each cube in a half-slice of bacon.
- Air Fry: Place the wrapped sweet potatoes in a single layer in your air fryer basket. You may need to work in batches. Air fry at 380°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Glaze and Finish: During the last 3 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the brown sugar over the bites. Continue to air fry until the bacon is crisp and the glaze is caramelized.
Tips for Success
- Uniform Size is Key: Cut your sweet potato cubes as uniformly as possible to ensure they all cook at the same rate.
- Don’t Use Thick-Cut Bacon: Standard-cut bacon is the best choice. It crisps up perfectly in the time it takes for the sweet potato to become tender.
- Secure with Toothpicks if Needed: If your bacon isn’t staying put, you can secure each bite with a toothpick. Just be sure to remove them before serving or warn your guests!
- Give Them Space: Don’t overcrowd the pan or air fryer basket. Giving the bites space allows air to circulate, which is essential for crispy bacon.
Flavor Variations
While the classic recipe is a winner, you can easily customize these Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potato bites to your liking.
- Spicy: Add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to your seasoning mix and a drizzle of hot honey after baking. A great recipe to check out if you like this flavor profile is our Hot Honey Halloumi Salad.
- Herby: Mix in a teaspoon of dried rosemary or thyme with the seasonings for a more savory, aromatic flavor.
- Savory: Skip the brown sugar and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking. This savory twist pairs well with a Stuffed Sweet Potato main dish.
What to Serve With Them
These bites are fantastic on their own, but a good dip takes them to the next level. A simple maple-dijon dip made with Greek yogurt is a wonderful choice. They also make a great side dish for roasts, chicken, or even a hearty Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts dish for a full bacon-themed meal!
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the oven or air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through and the bacon has re-crisped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! The air fryer is excellent for making them extra crispy. Cook them at 380°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Add the brown sugar glaze during the last 3 minutes of cooking.
Yes. You can assemble the bacon-wrapped sweet potato bites up to 24 hours in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator on the baking sheet, then bake as directed when you’re ready to serve.
The key to crispy bacon is to use regular-cut (not thick-cut) bacon and to bake at a high temperature, around 400°F (200°C). Don’t overcrowd the pan, as this allows hot air to circulate. For extra crispiness, you can broil them for the last 1-2 minutes.
A creamy and tangy dip is a great complement. We recommend a simple maple-dijon dip made with Greek yogurt or sour cream. A spicy aioli or a creamy chipotle dip would also be delicious.
Standard-cut bacon is the best choice. Thick-cut bacon takes much longer to cook and may not get fully crispy by the time the sweet potato is tender. Avoid any bacon with an overwhelming flavor that might clash with the sweet potato.
The Perfect Sweet & Salty Snack
This Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potato recipe is a surefire hit for any occasion. They are simple, delicious, and endlessly customizable. Give this recipe a try, and I promise it will become a staple in your appetizer rotation. If you make them, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potato Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potato Bites with Brown Sugar Glaze
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, toss the sweet potato cubes with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Wrap each sweet potato cube with a half-slice of bacon, securing it by placing the seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over each bite.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
- Let cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before serving to allow the glaze to set slightly.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure sweet potato cubes are cut to a uniform 1-inch size for even cooking.
Tip 3: Do not use thick-cut bacon as it will not render and crisp up in time.
