Valentine’s Day Bacon Roses
Jan 12, 2024 Updated Feb 01, 2026
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Making bacon roses is one of my favorite ways to spruce up a Valentine’s Day breakfast! They are super easy to make, and they make multitasking a breeze. While they bake, you can focus on prepping the rest of the board. Personally, I like to serve a dozen roses as a “bouquet” on this Valentine’s Day breakfast board for an extra romantic touch.
You had to know this was coming. We’ve made salami rosettes, prosciutto roses, lox roses, avocado roses, and even strawberry roses (a distant cousin to my apple hearts). And all of them would all be lovely additions to this breakfast board–and my other Valentine’s-inspired boards! (Bacon roses also look great on a Mother’s Day board. Mom will love them!)
For other breakfast inspo, these bacon roses would also pair well with my Pancake Brunch Board, Waffle Brunch Board, Avocado Toast Board, Bagel Brunch Board, and English Muffin Board.
Bacon Bouquet Breakfast Board
My favorite part of any holiday is the theme! When I can, I use holiday colors, but I also love themed utensils and vessels for a festive touch. I used these heart bowls (a cheaper heart bowl here) and heart ramekins.
Ingredients
- 12 Bacon Roses
- 10 to 12 slices of bread, cut into hearts with heart-shaped cookie cutters
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, sliced
- 1/2 cup jam
- 16 ounces strawberries, quartered
- 8 ounces raspberries
- 8 ounces blackberries
- 4 ounces pomegranate seeds
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 10 to 12 eggs
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Directions
- Place the plate of bacon roses in the center of your board.
- Place a bowl on the board for the eggs, but don’t add them yet! Place the butter, jam, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, and pomegranate seeds in separate small bowls. (You’ll likely need bigger bowls for the eggs and berries!) Arrange the bowls on the board around the bacon. Place the oranges and a couple handfuls of berries (I used blackberries) directly on the board between the bowls.
- After the board is assembled, toast the bread.
- Meanwhile, scramble the eggs. Add them to the reserved bowl, then top with the chives and/or Parmigiano Reggiano.
- Arrange the toast around the edge of the board and serve immediately.
Note: If you have any dairy-free guests, serve the Parmigiano Reggiano on the side or place two different bowls of eggs on the board and only top one with cheese.
Bacon Roses Recipe Tutorial
How To Make Bacon Roses
Whether you’re making them for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or just because, here’s how you do it:
Ingredients
- 2 (12-ounce) packages bacon
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bunch fresh basil leaves
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack inside.
- Working with one strip of bacon at a time, roll the bacon tightly to form a rosette. (Feel free to stack two strips prior to rolling for an even more robust-looking rose.) Secure the bacon rose with two toothpicks, forming a cross through the spiral as close to the bottom of one end as you can.
- Space the bacon roses out on the wire rack. Brush bacon roses with maple syrup, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cracked black pepper.
- Bake until the bacon is cooked through and crispy, 20 to 30 minutes. (If you double-layered the bacon, bake for 40 minutes.) Let cool slightly.
- Carefully remove toothpicks, making sure the roses maintain their form. Place two basil leaves on a plate for each bacon rose, then place a bacon rose on top of each set of basil leaves.
Alternative Bacon Bouquet Ingredients
If you don’t eat pork or meat, don’t worry! You can still make these festive roses for your romantic breakfast spread–plus, most of them you won’t have to cook.
Pork-Free Options
- Turkey bacon: It won’t need as long in the oven, so keep an eye on it and take it out when it’s crispy, about 15 minutes.
- Smoked salmon: Slice lengthwise into even pieces, then use the toothpicks to hold them together (you’ll probably have to leave the toothpicks as the salmon won’t be as sturdy as bacon)
Meat-Free Options
- Sliced avocado: Instead of a bouquet, you’ll have one beautiful flower!
- Sliced strawberries: This doesn’t involve any rolling, but does involve some knifework!
- Sliced cheese: You’ll need little cups for this one! See my TikTok below.
- Sliced cucumber: Cups apply here as well!
- Sliced mango: This one is a little tougher to make, so see my TikTok below.
Galentine’s Day Brunch Ideas
This breakfast board would also make a killer treat if you’re celebrating with your gals or pals! Pair it with some of my sweet Valentine’s Day boards to make it a complete spread.
This Galentine’s Day Dessert Board has a wide variety of treats, from candies to cookies, and this Girl Scout Cookies Board pairs all your favorites with delicious dips. You can also whip up this homemade Chocolate-Caramel Fondue Board for a fancier touch. If you and your friends have a sweet tooth, lean into it with this Valentine’s Candy Dessert Board.
Valentine’s Day Breakfast Beverage Pairings
To finish out your spread, serve your partner’s favorite drink! If you need some inspiration, try:
Non-Alcoholic
- Coffee or latte
- Fresh orange juice
- Fresh grapefruit juice
- Sparkling pink lemonade
- Blackberry Mocktail Mule
Cocktail Ideas
- Rosé spritz
- Mimosa
- Bellini
- Bloody mary
- French 75
- Sparkling wine or Champagne
FAQs
As I mentioned above, you want to make sure the bacon is cooked all the way through. Because the bacon is squished together, it takes longer to cook than a piece of flat bacon. Especially for the doubled-up rolls! I provided a range of 20-40 degrees at 400 degrees to account for variations, but be the judge and cook longer as necessary.
It’s possible that the inner layer is less cooked. If that’s the case, turn the bacon roses over and cook for longer.
Yes! You can bake the bacon roses a few hours ahead and reheat them briefly in a 350°F oven until warmed and crisp again. For the best texture, avoid reheating in the microwave.
Avoid thick-cut bacon! It’s less flexible and can be harder to roll tightly, which could make it necessary to cook longer.
Securing each rose with two crossed toothpicks near the base helps them keep their shape while baking. Let them cool slightly before removing the toothpicks so the bacon has time to set.
Absolutely. Turkey bacon works well, but it cooks faster, so watch closely. For meat-free, oven-free options, smoked salmon, avocado, cucumbers, or sliced cheese make beautiful rose-style alternatives.
Bacon roses pair perfectly with breakfast board staples like scrambled eggs, fruit, buttered toast, pancakes, waffles, and/or bagels.
Bacon roses are a hit for Mother’s Day brunch, bridal showers, birthday breakfasts, and brunch boards year-round.
Show Me Your Bouquets
I hope this post inspires you to create a delicious breakfast spread. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful boards you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share!
And, If you liked this recipe, please rate and review.
Bacon Rose Brunch Board
Ingredients
Bacon Roses
- 2 (12-ounce) packages bacon
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 bunch basil leaves
Bacon Bouquet Brunch Board
- 12 Bacon Roses
- 10-12 slices bread
- 1/2 cup butter sliced
- 1/2 cup jam
- 16 oz strawberries
- 8 oz blackberries
- 8 oz raspberries
- 4 oz pomegranate seeds
- 2 oranges sliced
- 10-12 eggs
- 1 tbsp chopped chives
- 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
Instructions
Bacon Roses
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack inside.
- Working with one strip of bacon at a time, roll the bacon tightly to form a rosette. (Feel free to stack two strips prior to rolling for an even more robust-looking rose.) Secure the bacon rose with two toothpicks, forming a cross through the spiral as close to the bottom of one end as you can.
- Space the bacon roses out on the wire rack. Brush bacon roses with maple syrup, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cracked black pepper.
- Bake until the bacon is cooked through and crispy, 20 to 30 minutes. (If you double-layered the bacon, bake for 40 minutes.) Let cool slightly.
- Carefully remove toothpicks, making sure the roses maintain their form. Place two basil leaves on a plate for each bacon rose, then place a bacon rose on top of each set of basil leaves.
Bacon Bouquet Brunch Board
- Place the plate of bacon roses in the center of your board.
- Place a bowl on the board for the eggs, but don’t add them yet! Place the butter, jam, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, and pomegranate seeds in separate small bowls. (You’ll likely need bigger bowls for the eggs and berries!) Arrange the bowls on the board around the bacon. Place the oranges and a couple handfuls of berries (I used blackberries) directly on the board between the bowls.
- After the board is assembled, toast the bread.
- Meanwhile, scramble the eggs. Add them to the reserved bowl, then top with the chives and/or Parmigiano Reggiano.
- Arrange the toast around the edge of the board and serve immediately.
This is such a fun and creative way to celebrate. Valentine’s Day!! I will definitely be making this for my friends!
These are adorable! Absolutely love this creative take on a Valentine’s Day breakfast!
Talk about delicious and easy! I have been looking for the perfect dish for the brunch I am hosting next week, will definitely try these!
This is so cute!! I will be using this recipe year-round!
Definitely making this for my Galentine’s party! Super creative and look absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to try!!
These Bacon Bouquet Flowers look AMAZING!! I cant wait to make these! These are so fun for a weekend breakfast idea as well!
These bacon roses are the perfect combo of fun and flavor! Loved them!
This has me drooling! I’m obsessed anything bacon and love this creative spin. Thanks so much for sharing!
This is such a fun recipe idea for valentines day- I have never seen it before!! Easy and simple idea perfect for me!
Love the idea of a valentines brunch!! These were so yummy and a hit for everyone who tried them!