How to Make Bacon Roses (Air Fryer & Oven)

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Ready to learn how to make bacon roses so you can create a beautiful bouquet? They make a great gift for Valentine’s Day or anytime you need a special arrangement for the bacon lover in your life.

Is there a better way to say “I love you” than with a bouquet of bacon roses? The bacon lover in your life will appreciate your thoughtfulness and you can have fun while you’re making them.

Initially, you may have thought this would be a lengthy tutorial. While the bacon bouquet seems difficult, you only need a few common ingredients and the making of the roses is pretty easy. 

Not only is this a great idea for Valentine’s Day, but bacon roses will work for any special occasion including birthdays, anniversaries and Father’s Day. And don’t forget to try our air fryer twisted bacon – you can make it plain or with seasonings.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. You can incorporate these into a breakfast or brunch charcuterie board for a tasty finishing touch. They make a fun addition to a breakfast charcuterie board or a charcuterie bouquet.

Wow your guests with roses made from bacon – they are going to steal the show! 

What You Need For a Bacon Rose Bouquet

Rose Ingredients:

bacon – thick cut works best

light brown sugar

Seasoning Mix Ingredients:

dark brown sugar 

salt 

onion powder 

garlic powder 

paprika 

cayenne 

cinnamon 

Kitchen Tools and Gadgets

Fake flower stems – grab artificial roses from the store (you can reuse the stems). Look for ones with a high middle piece (the part that attaches the fake rose to the stem). This style keeps the bacon roses in place better. You can also try searching for just the stems instead of the whole flower. Be sure to read our cleaning tips before using.

Toothpicks – helps to keep the roses from unrolling while cooking.

How to Make Bacon Roses

BACON RUB: Remove the bacon from the packaging and coat the slices well with the light brown sugar. Grab a small bowl and combine all of the spices in the seasoning mix together. Sprinkle the seasoning on the bacon. 

MAKING THE ROSES: Start with the thinnest part of each bacon strip and roll it up. Make sure the largest part of the strip is at the top of each rosebud. Add two toothpicks at the base of each rose, perpendicular to each other.

COOKING: Add the bacon roses to your air fryer basket, and cook for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F. At the 8 minute mark, check the roses, flip and adjust the air frying time if needed.

COOLING: Once they have finished cooking, remove them from the basket and allow them to cool completely. 

PREPPING THE STEMS: Before we add the stems make sure they are clean. Fill the sink with warm soapy water and swish the stems through soapy water. Rinse well and allow them to air dry.

If you are using artificial roses, snip off the flower before cleaning. If there are any additional pieces between the rose and the stem, remove those as well.

ASSEMBLING THE ROSES: Remove the toothpicks from each bacon rose, and gently push the stem into the bottom of the bud.

Can You Make Bacon Roses in the Oven?

Yes! Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees F. 

Follow the assembly instructions for the roses, including rubbing the bacon with the seasoning and brown sugar. 

Using a roasting pan or a baking sheet with a wire rack on top, place each rose on the rack, making sure they aren’t touching. 

Cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. 

Allow the roses to cool, then follow the assembly instructions.

You can also use a muffin tin but you’ll want to make sure your roses won’t be laying in the grease. If you choose to go with the muffin tin, line each cup with tin foil. Position the toothpicks at the bottom, so they act like a “stand” but still keep the roses together.

Best Bacon to Use 

Thicker bacon works best. Try to get a center cut or thick cut because it makes the roses look fuller and they hold together better. 

How Long Do Bacon Roses Last? 

I don’t think we’ve ever had leftovers, but they will keep for about 5 days when properly stored.

Storing and Reheating Instructions

To store bacon roses, detach them from the stems and place into an airtight container or Ziplock bag. They will stay fresh in the fridge for about 5 days. 

To reheat, add them back to the oven or air fryer and cook until they are warm. If you reheat the bacon roses in the microwave they won’t be as crispy. You can also eat the bacon cold if you’re into that.

What Can I Use in Place of Flower Stems?

If you don’t want to use fake stems, you can swap out for wooden skewers instead. 

Making Your Bacon Bouquet Fancy

So how should you display your beautiful bacon bouquet? 

Vase: Place them in a standard glass vase. To jazz them up, add some fake greenery or other edible snacks on a stick like cheese and fruit. 

Mason Jar: If you choose to use a mason jar, you will probably need to trim the stems and/or skewers so they aren’t too tall. 

Box: Be like a florist and wrap your bouquet in a bow then place in a flower box with tissue paper and a sweet little card.

To make edible leaves you could also add in some green foods like peppers, lettuce, or even avocado if using on a board. 

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes:

• Air Fryer Shrimp Po’Boys
• Air Fryer Pickle Chips
• Cherry Cheese Danish {Air Fryer & Oven}
• Air Fryer Hamburgers {From Scratch}

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