Yes — bacon wrapped pickle spears are crunchy, salty, and absolutely ridiculous, and they make a perfect snack when you want something wildly satisfying. I love these for parties because they’re part salty snack, part crunchy finger food, part guilty pleasure—all in one absurd little spear.
I call them ridiculous because the contrast is everything: the cool, tangy pickle inside, the smoky-salty bacon outside, a crunchy panko halo, and a tiny sticky maple-chili finish that somehow makes them feel gourmet. Below is my go-to version: oven-baked for less mess, with a quick panko crust for extra crunch.
Ingredients
- 12 large dill pickle spears (jarred, well-drained and patted dry)
- 12 slices thin-cut bacon (about 8–10 oz / 225–285 g)
- 1 large egg, beaten (for “glue”)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (or to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional, for the glaze)
- Toothpicks for securing
- Cooking spray or 1 tbsp oil for the wire rack
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack on top. Lightly oil the rack so the spears don’t stick.
- Pat the pickle spears dry with paper towels — the drier they are, the crispier the bacon and panko will be. If your pickles are very wet, let them sit on a paper towel for 5–10 minutes.
- Cut each bacon slice in half crosswise. Wrap one half-slice of bacon around each pickle spear in a spiral, leaving the tip exposed. Secure the bacon with a toothpick if needed. You should end up with 12 wrapped spears.
- Beat the egg in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, mix the panko, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and a generous crack of black pepper.
- Brush each bacon-wrapped spear lightly with beaten egg (this helps panko stick). Roll or press the spear into the panko mixture so it clings to the bacon — you don’t need to coat it perfectly; a light crust is perfect.
- Arrange the spears on the prepared wire rack, seam-side down. Give them enough space so hot air can circulate and the bacon crisps evenly (do not crowd).
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15–20 minutes, until the bacon is mostly cooked and the panko is turning golden. Keep an eye on them — thin-cut bacon crisps fast.
- While the spears bake, whisk together the glaze: maple syrup + hot sauce (if using) + a pinch of crushed red pepper.
- After 15–20 minutes, brush the spears with the maple-chili glaze and return to the oven for 2–4 more minutes, or pop under the broiler for 30–90 seconds to get the panko deeply golden and the bacon edges crisp. Watch closely — it goes from perfect to burned fast.
- Remove from oven, transfer to a clean plate, and let rest 2–3 minutes (the glaze sets and the bacon firms up). Serve warm. Provide extra napkins.
Tips & Notes
- Pickles: I prefer classic dill spears for contrast. Bread-and-butter pickles make a sweeter, more playful version.
- Bacon: Thin-cut crisps faster and is easier to wrap. Thick-cut works but needs longer baking time—watch so the panko doesn’t burn.
- Panko crust: If you want extra adhesion, double-dip: egg → panko → egg → panko. But keep it light; you still want the pickle to shine.
- Make-ahead: Wrap the spears and refrigerate on a tray for up to 4 hours. Bake straight from the fridge (add a couple of minutes to cook time).
- Serving: These are amazing with a quick mustard-yogurt dip or straight-up ranch. If you’re curious about cravings and salt, I wrote about it here: Why Am I Craving Salt?
- Party idea: serve next to sliders or smashed cheeseburgers for joyful chaos—yes, I once paired these with a cheeseburger spread and it was a revelation: The Spiritual Meaning of Cheeseburgers.
Weird fact: wrapping salty food in bacon is a culinary love language that dates back to medieval times when cooks used fatty meats to flavor otherwise bland ingredients. Modern snack culture just took it and ran.
Final takeaway: if you want a snack that delivers crunch, salt, fat, and a tiny sweet-spicy kick—these bacon wrapped pickle spears are the ridiculous, perfect answer. Make them for game day, an absurd potluck contribution, or whenever you need something cheerfully excessive.