Bacon Wrapped Olives Thanksgiving Party Appetizer
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There is something about a warm, salty bite that makes a holiday table feel extra welcoming. These bacon wrapped olives are one of my favorite easy party snacks: they are savory, crisp at the edges, and just a little tangy inside. Best of all, they feel special without asking you to spend the afternoon in the kitchen.
Each bite pairs bacon with a large green Manzanilla olive stuffed with pimento. The bacon brings smoky, rich flavor, while the olive adds a briny pop and a mild sweetness from the pimento. Together, they make a simple appetizer with plenty of flavor in a small package.
The method is just as easy. Cut the bacon into thirds, wrap one piece around each olive, and secure it with a toothpick. Then bake at 400°F, turning the olives once, until the bacon is browned and cooked through. You can also use an air fryer at 375°F, but check early because 10 minutes may be too long.
These bacon wrapped olives are a lovely choice for Thanksgiving, potlucks, game days, and cozy nights with friends. Since they take only 10 minutes to prepare, you can get them ready while other dishes cook. Serve them warm, and watch them disappear from the appetizer platter.
Why You’ll Love This Bacon Wrapped Olives Thanksgiving Party Appetizer
- Quick to make: The prep takes about 10 minutes, and the oven does most of the work.
- Simple ingredients: You need only bacon and pimento-stuffed green olives.
- Big flavor in a small bite: Smoky bacon and bright, briny olives make a satisfying pairing.
- Easy to serve: Toothpicks make these appetizers simple to pick up and enjoy.
- Great for gatherings: They work well on a Thanksgiving snack table, at a potluck, or beside other party favorites.
Bacon Tips
Choose bacon that is flexible enough to wrap around each olive without breaking. Regular-cut bacon is usually a good fit. Thick-cut bacon can take longer to cook and may be harder to wrap around a small olive, so if that is what you have, cut it into thinner strips or allow extra baking time.
For a simpler ingredient list, look for quality bacon with no added nitrates or sugar, as suggested in the recipe. Keep the bacon chilled until you are ready to cut it. Cold bacon is firmer and easier to handle. Also, check the package label for any flavoring or added sweetness, since those can change the taste and browning.
Options for Substitutions
- Try another green olive: Large pimento-stuffed Manzanilla olives are the classic choice, but another firm, pitted green olive can work. Choose one that is large enough to wrap.
- Use a different filling: Swap pimento-stuffed olives for garlic-stuffed or almond-stuffed olives. Keep in mind that the filling will change the flavor and texture.
- Choose a different bacon style: Regular-cut bacon is easiest to wrap. If you use thick-cut bacon, cut it into slimmer pieces and watch the cooking time closely.
- Use turkey bacon: Turkey bacon can work, though it may brown and crisp differently from pork bacon. Check it often and avoid assuming it will need the same time.
- Add a light seasoning: A small pinch of black pepper or smoked paprika can add extra flavor. However, go easy because bacon and olives are already salty.
- Use a different cooking setup: If you do not want to use the oven, cook the olives in an air fryer at 375°F and check early. Each air fryer cooks a little differently.
Watch Out for These Mistakes
First, avoid cutting the bacon into pieces that are too short. Each strip should wrap around an olive and overlap just enough to stay in place. If the bacon is too thick to bend easily, trim it lengthwise rather than forcing it around the olive.
Next, do not skip the toothpicks. They help keep the bacon in place as it cooks. Place the wrapped olives seam-side down on the tray when possible, then secure each one with a toothpick.
Also, give the olives room on the pan. If they are crowded together, the bacon may cook unevenly and the rendered fat can collect around them. A foil-lined tray or a Pyrex dish works, but use a rimmed pan if you want to contain drips.
Finally, watch the bacon rather than relying only on the clock. Bake for about 10 minutes, turn the olives, and bake for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the bacon is browned and cooked through. Air fryers vary, so check well before 10 minutes. Bacon can go from nicely browned to overdone quickly.
What to Serve With Bacon Wrapped Olives Thanksgiving Party Appetizer?
These bacon wrapped olives pair nicely with a mix of fresh, creamy, and crisp snacks. Serve them with a simple cheese board, crunchy vegetables and dip, crackers with hummus, or a bowl of spiced nuts. For Thanksgiving, they also fit well beside lighter appetizers such as sliced apples, grapes, or a fresh green salad. Since the olives and bacon are salty and rich, a crisp or fresh side helps balance each bite.
Storage Instructions
Store: Cool the cooked bacon wrapped olives, then place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator within two hours. Keep them for up to 3 to 4 days. For the best texture, store them without stacking too tightly.
Freeze: Freezing is possible, but the olives may soften after thawing and the bacon may lose some crispness. If you choose to freeze them, arrange the cooled bites in a single layer until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Use within 1 to 2 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat: For the stovetop, warm the olives in a skillet over low to medium-low heat, turning them often until hot. For the microwave, place a few on a microwave-safe plate and heat in short bursts until warmed through. The microwave is quick, though it will not keep the bacon as crisp. Do not microwave them with toothpicks in place.
Recipe Info
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: About 18 to 20 minutes
- Total Time: About 30 minutes
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Servings: 8 servings, about 3 olives per serving
- Estimated Calories: 56 kcal per serving, as provided
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
These are approximate ranges, not laboratory-tested values. The exact nutrition depends on the bacon brand, the size of the olives, and how much fat renders during cooking. Per serving of about 3 olives, estimate:
- Calories: 50 to 70
- Protein: 2 to 4 grams
- Fat: 4 to 6 grams
- Carbohydrates: 1 to 3 grams
Ingredients
- 8 rashers of bacon, preferably quality bacon with no added nitrates or sugar
- 24 large green Manzanilla olives stuffed with pimento
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Heat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Meanwhile, line a rimmed baking tray with foil, or set out a Pyrex dish. The foil makes cleanup easier, while the dish catches the drippings.
Step 2: Cut the Bacon
Cut each bacon rasher into thirds. You should have 24 pieces, one for each olive. If a piece is much longer than needed, trim it so the bacon does not bunch up around the olive.
Step 3: Wrap and Secure the Olives
Wrap one piece of bacon around each pimento-stuffed olive. Then secure the bacon with a toothpick. Try to place the seam underneath so the bacon stays in place while it cooks.
Step 4: Arrange the Bites
Set the wrapped olives on the prepared tray or in the Pyrex dish. Leave a little space between them so heat can circulate. If possible, place them seam-side down.
Step 5: Bake, Turn, and Finish Cooking
Bake for about 10 minutes. Then carefully turn the olives over and return them to the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bacon is browned and cooked through. Since bacon thickness and ovens vary, check the bites near the end of cooking.
Step 6: Serve Warm
Let the olives rest briefly, then serve them hot or warm. If using an air fryer, cook at 375°F and check early, since 10 minutes may be too long. Remove toothpicks before serving to young children, or remind guests that each bite contains one.
Conclusion
These bacon wrapped olives bring together crisp, smoky bacon and briny pimento-stuffed olives in an easy party appetizer. With just two ingredients, about 10 minutes of prep, and a short bake, they are simple to make for Thanksgiving or any gathering. Try a batch for your next get-together, then share how they turned out or explore more easy appetizers for your table.
Bacon Wrapped Olives
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking tray with foil or prepare a Pyrex dish.
- Cut each bacon rasher into thirds, yielding 24 pieces.
- Wrap one piece of bacon around each pimento-stuffed olive and secure with a toothpick.
- Arrange the wrapped olives on the prepared tray, leaving space between them.
- Bake for about 10 minutes, then carefully turn the olives and bake for another 8 to 10 minutes until the bacon is browned and cooked through.
- Let the olives rest briefly, then serve them warm. Remove toothpicks before serving to young children.
