Grilled Bacon Wrapped Olives Recipe

Olives: Pitted olives are used in this recipe for ease of eating and wrapping.

Bacon: Slices of bacon are cut in half to perfectly wrap around the olives.

To ensure the bacon cooks evenly and crisps up nicely, make sure to use thin-cut bacon. Thicker cuts may not cook through by the time the olives are ready. Additionally, soak the toothpicks in water for about 15 minutes before using them to prevent burning on the grill.

• pitted olives - Substitute with pitted cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes provide a similar size and can be easily wrapped, offering a juicy and slightly sweet alternative.

• pitted olives - Substitute with stuffed mushrooms: Stuffed mushrooms can be wrapped similarly and provide a savory and earthy flavor.

• bacon - Substitute with prosciutto: Prosciutto is thinner and less fatty, offering a delicate and slightly salty flavor that complements the olives well.

• bacon - Substitute with turkey bacon: Turkey bacon is a leaner option that still provides a smoky flavor, making it a healthier alternative.

• Allow the grilled bacon wrapped olives to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the bacon soggy.

• Place the cooled olives in an airtight container. If stacking them, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.

• Store the container in the refrigerator. These delicious bites will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

• For longer storage, consider freezing. Arrange the bacon wrapped olives on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are not touching. Freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours.

• Once frozen, transfer the olives to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date and store for up to 1 month.

• To reheat, thaw the olives in the refrigerator overnight. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 10-15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and heated through.

• Alternatively, reheat directly from frozen by baking at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, keeping an eye on them to prevent overcooking.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the grilled bacon wrapped olives on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the bacon is reheated and crispy.
  4. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the grilled bacon wrapped olives on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to prevent splattering.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are heating evenly.
  4. Let them cool slightly before serving.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Place the grilled bacon wrapped olives in the skillet.
  3. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the bacon is reheated and crispy.
  4. Remove from the skillet and let cool slightly before serving.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the grilled bacon wrapped olives in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Let them cool slightly before serving.

• Grill: Used to cook the bacon-wrapped olives to crispy perfection.

• Toothpicks: Used to secure the bacon around each olive.

• Tongs: Handy for turning the bacon-wrapped olives on the grill.

• Platter: For placing the cooked olives once they are removed from the grill.

• Cutting board: Useful for cutting the bacon slices in half.

• Knife: Needed to cut the bacon slices in half.

• Bowl: To hold the pitted olives before wrapping them with bacon.

• Paper towels: To blot any excess grease from the bacon-wrapped olives after grilling.

Pre-cut the bacon: Cut the bacon slices in half before you start wrapping to save time during assembly.

Use pre-pitted olives: Buy olives that are already pitted to avoid the extra step of removing pits.

Prepare in batches: Wrap the olives in bacon in batches to streamline the process and make it more efficient.

Preheat the grill: Ensure your grill is preheated to medium-high heat before you start cooking to reduce waiting time.

Use toothpicks: Secure the bacon with toothpicks to keep everything in place and make flipping easier.