1. Preparation:

• Preheat:

  • Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a wire rack set inside a baking sheet (for better air circulation and crisping). Greasing lightly with oil or cooking spray can help prevent sticking, especially if not using parchment.
  • Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes.

• Soak Toothpicks (If Using): If using wooden toothpicks to secure the bacon, place them in a small bowl of water to soak while you prep. This helps prevent them from burning during cooking, especially in the oven.
• Prepare Bacon: Lay the turkey bacon slices on a cutting board. Cut each slice in half crosswise. You should now have 16-20 shorter pieces of bacon, depending on how many slices you started with. Gently stretching the bacon slightly can sometimes make wrapping easier.
• Prepare Avocado:

  • Cut the avocados in half lengthwise and remove the pit.
  • Carefully peel the skin off each half.
  • Cut each avocado half into thick wedges or cubes, aiming for about 8-10 pieces per avocado (total 16-20 pieces). Make them substantial enough to wrap easily, roughly ¾ to 1 inch thick.
  • Place the avocado pieces in a medium bowl.
  • Drizzle the lime or lemon juice over the avocado pieces and toss gently to coat. This helps prevent oxidation (browning) and adds a subtle zesty flavor.
  • Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings (garlic powder, paprika/chili powder) over the avocado and toss gently again to distribute the seasoning evenly. Be gentle to avoid mashing the avocado.

2. Assemble the Bites:

• Take one piece of seasoned avocado.
• Wrap one half-slice of turkey bacon snugly around the avocado piece. Try to overlap the bacon ends slightly. The bacon should cover most of the avocado surface.
• Secure (Optional but Recommended): If desired, secure the bacon by inserting a soaked toothpick through the overlapped ends and into the avocado. Alternatively, you can try placing the bites seam-side down during cooking, though toothpicks offer more security.
• Repeat with the remaining avocado pieces and bacon slices.

3. Cooking Method:

• Oven Method:

  • Arrange the wrapped avocado bites in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet (or wire rack). Ensure there is some space between each bite for even cooking and crisping. If not using toothpicks, place them seam-side down.
  • Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-25 minutes. Cooking time will vary depending on your oven and the thickness of the turkey bacon.
  • Check around the 15-minute mark. If the bottoms are browning faster, you can carefully flip the bites using tongs for the remaining cooking time.
  • The bites are ready when the turkey bacon is cooked through, browned, and crispy to your liking. The avocado should be warm and softened but not completely mushy.

• Air Fryer Method:

  • Place the wrapped avocado bites in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary. Overcrowding prevents the air from circulating properly, resulting in less crispy bacon.
  • Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8-15 minutes.
  • Check halfway through (around 5-7 minutes) and flip the bites using tongs if desired for even crisping.
  • Continue air frying until the turkey bacon is golden brown and crispy. Air fryer times can vary significantly between models, so keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes.

4. Final Steps:

• Once cooked, carefully remove the bites from the oven or air fryer using tongs or a spatula.
• Transfer them to a serving platter. Let them rest for a few minutes, as they will be very hot. The bacon may crisp up slightly more as it cools.
• If you used toothpicks, you can either leave them in for serving (making them easy finger food) or carefully remove them before plating. Warn guests if toothpicks are left in.
• Garnish if desired (see “How to Serve” section). Serve warm.