
Bacon Wrapped Fondant Potatoes
These are the little sweet-and-salty gifts you’ll want to find in your stocking on Christmas morning. You’ll legit forget about the rest of your presents after just one bite of these golden barrels of deliciousness. Trust me, these bacon-wrapped fondant potatoes are what festive dreams are made of.
The Christmas show stopper
Let me tell you, this recipe holds a special place in my heart. I first whipped these up as part of my 25 Days of Potatoes series back in 2021, and they were such a hit that they made it straight to my Christmas dinner plate that year. Fast forward to 2024, and they’re still stealing the show—it’s like the spud equivalent of a Greatest Hits album. Honestly, when family and friends request a recipe, you know it’s a winner, so of course, I had to bring them back for round two. We didn’t want a repeat of the great fall out of 2022.
What’s not to love? These little beauties are crispy on the outside, buttery on the inside, and wrapped in salty, smoky streaky bacon or pancetta for that extra indulgent vibe. They’re the ultimate side dish to elevate your Christmas dinner, whether you’re keeping it traditional with turkey or branching out with something fancier. These fondants hold their own on any festive spread, and if you’re hosting, they’ll definitely earn you a round of applause (or at least some very enthusiastic nods and mumbled “mmm” sounds from your guests).
Practical, but fancy.
One of the things I adore about this recipe is how practical it is while still looking fancy. Wrapping the potatoes in bacon and securing them with a sprig of rosemary is not only clever but also gives the spuds a herby, aromatic kick. Plus, it looks so cheffy, doesn’t it? It’s the kind of little detail that makes people think you’ve gone all out when, really, it’s just a sprig of rosemary doing double duty. I’ll take that kind of effortless wow-factor any day.
Top tip
Now, here’s a pro tip for you: don’t panic when it seems like your fondants are stuck to the pan towards the end of cooking. This is totally normal, and it’s actually what you want! The caramelised base that forms is chef’s kiss and worth the wait. Just turn off the heat and let them rest for 10-15 minutes—trust the process, and they’ll release from the pan like magic. If you try to force them out too early, you’ll miss out on that gorgeous golden crust that makes these fondants so irresistible.
Clarified butter
And can we take a moment to talk about clarified butter? Yes, I went there because clarified butter is a game-changer for this recipe. Its higher smoke point means it won’t burn as easily during cooking, and it adds a deep, nutty flavour that regular butter just can’t compete with. If you’ve never made it before, don’t worry—it’s super easy, and I’ve got you covered with a step-by-step guide. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it. You can find out how to make it here.
So, if you’re looking to up your potato game this Christmas, these bacon-wrapped fondant potatoes are the answer. They’re festive, flavour-packed, and guaranteed to make your meal feel extra special. Whether you’re making them for your family, friends, or just for yourself (no judgment here), these spuds are the ultimate holiday treat. Let’s get roasting!

Bacon Wrapped Fondant Potatoes
By Poppy Cooks
https://www.poppycooks.com/recipes/bacon-wrapped-fondant-potatoes/
Ingredients
- 8 maris piper potatoes
- 8 rashers of pancetta or thin streaky bacon
- 10 sprigs of Rosemary
- 6 cloves of garlic
- 250g clarified salted butter
- Enough chicken stock to finish covering the spud babies
Metric
Imperial
Instructions
- Cut the potatoes into similar heights and then into rounds as best you can. You can use cutters if preferred as it's a little quicker!
- Get the pancetta wrapped around them and secure it by piercing it with a piece of rosemary. A nice sturdy piece.
- In a small sauce pan add in oil. You want enough to cover the base of the pan.
- Place the pan on medium-high heat and add in the potatoes, bottom down (if that makes sense).
- Let the spuds get some colour, this usually takes around 5-10 mins.
- After this time, flip them over and add in the clarified butter. You can find my recipe for clarified butter in the description above.
- Use the chicken stock to then make sure the potatoes are just covered. Then add in the garlic and Rosemary.
- Add some parchment on top and leave to cook on a medium low heat for around 50-60 mins. It’s a long process but it’s worth it!
- You are looking for all the stock and some of the butter to have evaporated. Leaving you with super soft fluffy potatoes in a pool of caramelised butter.
- Once it’s like this turn the heat off and leave the spuds in the pan. After about 10-15 mins they will be ready to wiggle off of the bottom of the pan! Add a sprinkle of salt and you’re good to go!