Bacon-Wrapped Green Bean Bundles

Recipe and photo courtesy of Holly Nilsson (spendwithpennies.com)

• 6 slices bacon
• 1½ lbs green beans
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Cook bacon on the stovetop until slightly cooked (not crispy), about 3 to 4 minutes. Reserve any drippings.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add baking soda. Add green beans and cook 3 minutes or until tender-crisp. Remove beans from boiling water and place in a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Pat beans dry.

In a bowl, toss beans with about 2 tsp reserved bacon drippings (or olive oil if there are no drippings), garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cut each slice of bacon in half. Wrap a bacon piece around a bundle of 6 to 8 green beans, secure with a toothpick and place on a parchment-lined pan; repeat with remaining beans and bacon pieces.

Blend brown sugar with 1 Tbsp water; lightly brush onto each bundle. Roast 20 to 22 minutes or until bacon is crisp and beans are lightly roasted. Makes 12 bundles.

Note: These can be cooked in an air fryer at 380 F for about 11 to 13 minutes.