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This classic appetizer recipe for bacon wrapped scallops in oven is so tasty! The crispy, salty bacon perfectly compliments the mild, briny flavor of the slightly-sweet scallops for a delicious combination that’s divine.
We think bacon appetizer recipes are like gold, because they’re always the first thing to be eaten at a party or potluck. Bring these scallops wrapped in bacon to your next gathering, and we promise you’ll be bringing home an empty platter.
Tater Tots with Bacon Cheddar Bites and Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies are two other crowd pleasing small bites guaranteed to draw raves! And be sure to check out our roundup of 52 Best Bacon Appetizers.
Scallops wrapped in bacon also make a very special main course for dinner. For serving ideas, be sure to check out our top 15 side dishes for what to serve with bacon wrapped scallops.
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Contents
Click on any of these headings to jump ahead:
- Recipe Features
- Ingredients Needed
- Equipment Needed
- Best Bacon for Wrapping Scallops
- Sea Scallops vs Bay Scallops
- Buying Scallops
- Step by Step Instructions
- FAQs
- Recipe Variations
- Bacon Wrapped Scallops Recipe
- Save to Pinterest
Recipe Features
- Fast and simple to make.
- Keto and low carb.
- Bite-sized and easy to serve and eat.
- Perfect party appetizer!
- Can be assembled in advance.
Ingredients Needed
For the basic recipe, the ingredients couldn’t be simpler! You’ll need:
- 12 slices (about 1 pound) regular sliced bacon
- 24 sea scallops
Equipment Needed
- A baking sheet with a rack
- Wooden appetizer picks
- Aluminum foil
Best Bacon for Wrapping Scallops
In general, regular sliced bacon works best for this recipe so that the bacon and scallops will both be perfectly cooked at the same time after broiling. The scallops will be cooked through and the bacon will be golden brown and crispy, just the way we like it!
If you prefer to use thick-sliced bacon, pre-cook the slices for a few minutes in a skillet so they’re starting to brown on both sides before wrapping the scallops.
Sea Scallops vs Bay Scallops
You may be wondering “What is the difference between bay scallops and sea scallops?”
We recommend sea scallops for this recipe, as their larger size (up to 3 times as big as bay scallops) creates a nice balance with the bacon. Most sea scallops are actually farm raised, a sustainable practice we support.
Some sea scallops can be quite large, in which case you can cut it in half or even thirds before wrapping with the bacon.
However, if you only have access to smaller bay scallops, no problem. Just cut the bacon down to size, if needed, so it’s not covering the scallop before broiling.If the bay scallops are very small, you can combine two or even three in one hors d’oeuvre and secure with toothpicks.
You’ll generally get about 20 to 30 scallops in a pound of sea scallops, and between 70 to 120 of the smaller bay scallops in a pound.
Buying Scallops
Here in landlocked Colorado, we generally buy frozen scallops for this recipe. Thaw the frozen scallops overnight in the refrigerator before using.
When fresh scallops are available, we prefer the dry packed version. As the name suggests, they don’t contain any extra water or additives and won’t produce a lot of liquid.
Whether you use fresh or frozen scallops, be sure to dry them thoroughly with paper towels before wrapping them in the bacon. That way they’ll develop a nice brown color when they’re broiled.
Step by Step Instructions
First, wrap the scallop in bacon and secure with a wooden pick. Cut the bacon so it overlaps just enough to secure with the pick.
Next, arrange the scallops on a foil-lined baking sheet with a rack. Preheat oven broiler.
Then pop them under the oven broiler on High for about 8 to 12 minutes, turning once. They’ll come out golden brown, and the scallops will be lightly cooked and sooo delicious.
Tip: You can leave the charred toothpicks on the bacon-wrapped scallops oven broiled, or pull them out and replace them with fresh toothpicks before serving.
FAQs
How long do you cook bacon wrapped scallops?
We recommend broiling the appetizers on High. Depending on how thick your bacon is and how big the scallops are, this will take about 8 to 12 minutes total. Turn the bacon wrapped scallops once during cooking so they brown evenly.
How to cook bacon wrapped scallops from frozen?
For best results, allow frozen, bacon-wrapped scallops to completely thaw in the refrigerator overnight before broiling.
How do you know when scallops are done in the oven?
The scallops will turn slightly opaque, but they’ll still be tender to the touch. Overcooking scallops can ruin the texture, so remove them from the oven as soon as the bacon browns.
What to serve with bacon wrapped scallops?
The flavors are rich, so for contrast you may wish to serve these bacon scallop bites with a fresh veggie tray or a crisp salad with citrus dressing.
If you’re serving them for dinner, check out our roundup of best sides to serve with bacon wrapped scallops.
4 Recipe Variations
Here are three ways you can season these bacon-wrapped scallops oven broiled to suit your tastebuds.
- Brown Sugar Scallops: Sprinkle the scallops on both sides with a total of 2 tablespoons brown sugar before broiling.
- Bacon Scallops with Lemon Butter Sauce: Whisk together 1/4 cup melted salted butter and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice in a small bowl. Serve with bacon-wrapped scallops as a dipping sauce.
- Savory Scallops: After removing from the oven, sprinkle the scallops with a pinch of your favorite steak seasoning salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Chive Citrus Bacon Scallops – Just after removing from the oven, squeeze a fresh lemon on the scallops. Garnish with finely chopped chives.
This recipe is adapted from the bacon cookbook “101 Things To Do With Bacon” by Eliza Cross.
Here’s the easy recipe:
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Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Eliza Cross
Prepare for rave reviews when you serve these classic bacon-wrapped scallops. The salty bacon perfectly compliments the mild, briny flavor of the slightly-sweet scallops.
4.98 from 36 votes
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Bacon Appetizers
Cuisine American
Servings 24 appetizers
Calories 83 kcal
Equipment
A baking sheet with a rack
Wooden appetizer picks
aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 12 strips regular sliced bacon (not thick cut)
- 24 sea scallops each about 1-inch in diameter
Optional ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 fresh lemon halved
- freshly chopped chives
- steak seasoning
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup salted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
Pat the scallops dry and wrap each one with a half-bacon slice and secure with a wood toothpick or skewer.
Arrange bacon-wrapped scallops on a rack in a broiling pan.
Arrange your oven rack in the top position and preheat the broiler to high. Broil the appetizers, turning once halfway through cooking, until scallops are opaque throughout and bacon is browned evenly on all sides. This may take approximately 8 to 12 minutes depending on the thickness of the bacon, the size of the scallops and your broiler's temperature.
Remove from the pan, arrange on a tray or platter and serve. (Tip: You can replace the toothpicks with fresh ones if they were blackened during cooking.) Yield: 24 appetizers.
Notes
Variations:
Brown Sugar Scallops: Sprinkle the scallops on both sides with a total of 2 tablespoons brown sugar before broiling.
Bacon Wrapped Lemon Scallops: Squeeze half a lemon over the hot scallops just after they come out of the oven. Cool for 3 minutes and sprinkle with chopped fresh chives.
Savory Scallops: Sprinkle with steak seasoning and black pepper just before serving.
Bacon Scallops with Lemon Butter Sauce:Whisk together 1/4 cup melted salted butter and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice in a small bowl. Serve with bacon-wrapped scallops as a dipping sauce.
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Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 83kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 9gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 367mg
Nutritional Information Disclosure
Keyword appetizers, bacon, seafood
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You might also enjoy viewing the Bacon-Wrapped Scallops web story.
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