Bacon-Wrapped Baby Potatoes

These Bacon-Wrapped Baby Potatoes are the ultimate bite-sized indulgence! As they roast, the bacon renders its fat down into the tender, fluffy potatoes, crisping up on the outside while coating everything in smoky, savory goodness.

Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Baby Potatoes

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 35–40 minutes
• Yield: About 4–6 servings (approx. 20–24 potato bites)

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs baby potatoes (yellow or red potatoes, uniform in size—about 1 to 1.5 inches wide)
• 12 slices thick-cut bacon (cut each slice cleanly in half crosswise, so you have 24 half-strips)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, but it adds a gorgeous glaze as it caramelizes with the bacon)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (go easy on the salt since bacon is naturally salty)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Toothpicks (soaked in water for 10 minutes so they don’t burn in the oven)
• Optional Garnish: Fresh chopped chives or green onions and a drizzle of sour cream or ranch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Pre-Cook the Potatoes (Crucial Step!)

1. Place your whole, washed baby potatoes in a medium pot and cover them with salted water.
2. Bring to a boil and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. You want them to be just fork-tender on the outside/edges, but still slightly firm in the very center (they will finish cooking in the oven).
3. Drain them thoroughly and let them cool for a few minutes so you can handle them.

Step 2: Wrap with Bacon

1. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss the par-boiled potatoes in this mixture until lightly coated.
2. Take a half-slice of bacon and wrap it snugly around the middle of one potato.
3. Secure the bacon wrap by pushing a soaked toothpick straight through the bacon and the center of the potato. Repeat for all the potatoes.

Step 3: Roast to Crispy Perfection

1. Preheat your oven to $400^\circ\text{F}$ ($200^\circ\text{C}$).
2. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire cooling rack on top. Place the wrapped potatoes on the wire rack (this allows the heat to circulate so the bacon gets crispy all the way around instead of sitting in grease).
3. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, turning them once halfway through if needed, until the bacon is deeply browned, crispy, and sizzling.

Step 4: Serve

1. Let them cool for 5 minutes (watch out for hot steam!), garnish with fresh chives, and serve hot!

Delicious Dipping Sauces

• Garlic Herb Aioli or Ranch
• Spicy Sriracha Mayo
• Warm honey mustard