Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

Wash the asparagus and trim off the tough ends. You can snap them off where they naturally break or cut about 1-2 inches from the bottoms.

Take a slice of bacon and wrap it spirally around an asparagus spear, starting from the bottom to just below the tip. Overlap slightly as you wrap. Secure the bacon with a toothpick if necessary.

Repeat with the remaining asparagus and bacon. Depending on the size of your asparagus, you can also wrap one slice of bacon around two spears if they are very thin.

Place the bacon-wrapped asparagus on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly sprinkle with black pepper. If you like, you can drizzle a little olive oil over the asparagus for extra richness.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus and bacon.

Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving platter. If desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for added flavor.