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There is something about prosciutto wrapped asparagus that makes people hover around the tray pretending they are “just having one more.” It looks fancy, tastes indulgent, and somehow still feels light enough to justify a second round. That salty, buttery, garlicky combo wrapped around crisp green spears is doing a lot of heavy lifting for very little effort.
This is the kind of side dish that works everywhere. Dinner parties, holiday tables, weeknight steaks, or even straight off the tray while standing in the kitchen. If you need asparagus spears wrapped in prosciutto that feel intentional and a little bit smug, this one delivers.
What Makes This Recipe Work
- Garlic butter goes on first: The asparagus is coated before wrapping, so every bite is flavourful all the way through instead of relying only on the prosciutto.
- Prosciutto crisps without drying out: Thin slices wrap easily and cook just enough to add texture while staying tender, which keeps the asparagus prosciutto balanced and not chewy.
- Hot and fast cooking: High heat means the asparagus stays bright, snappy, and fresh, with salty, buttery, crispy edges instead of turning soft or limp.
What Goes Into Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this prosciutto wrapped asparagus recipe. Each one plays a big role in making the dish savoury, garlicky, and perfectly balanced.
- Asparagus Spears: Fresh and crisp, they soften in the oven while keeping a slight bite, making them the star of this asparagus prosciutto pairing.
- Prosciutto: Salty and delicate, prosciutto crisps up as it bakes and wraps the asparagus spears in irresistible flavour.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter adds richness and helps carry the garlic over every bite for a golden finish.
- Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the butter with bold flavour, making the asparagus spears wrapped in prosciutto even more addictive.
Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
How To Make Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
- Prep and Preheat: Position the oven rack about 5 inches from the heat. Preheat the broiler or barbecue grill on high, or warm a skillet over medium heat.
- Make Garlic Butter: Melt the butter in a small bowl and stir in the minced garlic. Set the mixture aside while you prep the asparagus.
- Trim and Brush: Snap off and discard the woody ends from 16 asparagus spears. Brush each spear evenly with the garlic butter.
- Wrap the Spears: Slice each prosciutto in half lengthwise. Wrap each spear on a slight diagonal from tip to base.
- Cook to Crisp: For oven, place on tray, season, and broil 5 minutes until crisp. For grill or pan, cook 4 minutes on the grill or 2 minutes per side until tender and browned.
- Finish and Serve: Check that the asparagus is tender crisp and the prosciutto is crispy. Serve immediately and skip extra salt if the prosciutto is already salty.
For something indulgent, pair the salty crispness of asparagus prosciutto with One Pot Orzo Primavera for a bright and colorful balance. For a cozy main, Slow Cooker Beef Ragu brings deep, rich flavours that complement the asparagus beautifully. And for a fresh contrast, Pomegranate Cobb Salad offers a vibrant, tangy bite that works perfectly with asparagus spears wrapped in prosciutto.
Pro Tips You’ll Be Glad You Read
- Skip added salt completely. Prosciutto already brings enough seasoning.
- Keep a close eye under the broiler. Prosciutto crisps quickly and can burn fast.
- If your asparagus is very thin, wrap two spears together so each bite feels substantial.
- Let the asparagus dry completely before wrapping so the prosciutto sticks properly.
- Serve straight away for the best texture. This dish does not like waiting around.
Recipe FAQ’s
No, but the garlic butter adds extra richness and flavour. If you prefer, you can use plain olive oil, or keep the recipe simple with just the asparagus spears wrapped in prosciutto.
Absolutely. Grilling adds a smoky flavour to the asparagus prosciutto combination. Just cook over medium-high heat, turning often, until the prosciutto is crisp and the asparagus is tender.
Prosciutto is naturally salty, so skip adding extra salt. A little cracked pepper is usually enough to season this prosciutto wrapped asparagus recipe.
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Garlic Butter Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter of your choice, melted
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 16 asparagus spears woody ends snapped off and discarded
Instructions
- Melt butter; add the garlic and mix together. Brush the butter mixture over each asparagus spear, coating evenly. Slice easy prosciutto slice in half lengthways. Wrap each asparagus spear starting on a diagonal angle from the top, gently and reasonably tightly, to the bottom.
Oven Method:
- Preheat grill / broiler on high heat. Lightly grease a baking sheet / tray with cooking oil spray.. Arrange the wrapped spears in a single layer on the baking sheet / tray; season with cracked pepper (do not add salt if the prosciutto is already salty enough) and grill / broil for about 4-5 minutes (keeping an eye on them as you don’t want anything to burn), or until the asparagus is bright green, cooked to your liking, and the prosciutto is crispy. Serve immediately.
Grill Method:
- Preheat a barbecue grill or grill pan on high heat. Grill the butter brushed and prosciutto wrapped asparagus, turning occasionally, for 3-4 minutes or until the asparagus is bright green and tender crisp, and the prosciutto is crispy. Serve immediately.
Pan Fried Method:
- Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a frying pan or skillet over medium heat until hot. Fry wrapped asparagus spears for 1-2 minutes on each side or until prosciutto is crisped and browned.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My wife hates asparagus, made tonight, hands down she ate it and tried to block me out of the batch……wow SO GOOD !! The best asparagus I’ve ever had !
Happy to hear that!
Delicious! I had thicker pruscuitto so I wrapped 3-4 in a bundle also made for a nice side dish. Looked great and very tasty. Thanks for the recipe!
You left the prosciutto out of the ingredient list in the recipe.
wow , easy to make , instunt recipe , love it