These incredible bacon-wrapped scallops might just be the highlight of your week! I mean, who can resist the combo of tender, juicy scallops wrapped in crispy bacon? It’s like a little bite of heaven.
What really takes these to the next level is the garlic butter drizzle. It seeps into every bite, adding a rich, savory flavor.
I was feeling adventurous, so I added a pinch of cayenne to give the dish a kick!
Trust me, once you try these scallops, you’ll make them again and again.
Why You’ll Love These Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Luxurious Taste: The natural sweetness of the scallops pairs beautifully with the salty, crispy bacon. It’s an irresistible combination of flavors and textures.
Quick Prep: Despite their sophisticated appearance, these appetizers come together in under 30 minutes. They’re perfect for both special occasions and weeknight dinners.
Versatile: They work equally well as an elegant appetizer with toothpicks or as a main course alongside mashed potatoes, polenta, or creamy pasta.
Foolproof Cooking: The recipe’s simple technique of pre-cooking the bacon ensures perfectly cooked scallops with crispy bacon every time. You can’t mess them up!
Ingredients
- Large Sea Scallops: The star of the dish, these tender, sweet scallops are wrapped in bacon and baked to perfection. Their mild flavor pairs well with the savory bacon and garlic butter.
- Bacon: It adds a smoky, salty richness that complements the delicate scallops. Partially cooking it first helps it crisp up.
- Olive Oil: It adds richness to the garlic butter mixture.
- Butter: It enhances the scallops’ natural sweetness and provides a rich base for the garlic and lemon flavors.
- Garlic: It infuses the butter mixture with aromatic depth, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the rich flavors with a hint of acidity.
- Fresh Parsley: It adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note to finish off the dish.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings bring out the natural flavors of the scallops and bacon.
- Cayenne Pepper or Smoked Paprika (optional): It adds a subtle heat or smokiness, giving an extra layer of complexity to the dish.
How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
Don’t be intimidated by these scallops! They’re so easy to make.
1. Prep and par-cook the bacon. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the bacon slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking rack. Bake for about 5-7 minutes, until the bacon is partially cooked but still pliable. Remove the bacon from the oven and let cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F.
2. Prepare the scallops. While the bacon is cooling, pat the scallops dry with paper towels. This helps them sear nicely. Lightly season scallops with salt, black pepper, and (optional) a small pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for an extra kick.
3. Wrap the scallops with bacon. Wrap each scallop with a half-slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.
4. Make the garlic butter. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Brush each bacon-wrapped scallop with the garlic butter mixture for added flavor.
5. Bake the scallops. Place the scallops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly oiled rack. Bake in the oven at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes, until the scallops are opaque and the bacon is crispy. Avoid over-baking, as scallops cook quickly and can become rubbery.
6. Broil for crispiness (optional). If you want extra-crispy bacon, broil the scallops for an additional 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
7. Serve. Remove them from the oven and let them rest for a minute. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for color and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
These tips will ensure your scallops come out perfect every time.
- Select the best scallops. Choose large sea scallops (1-1.5 inches in diameter) and avoid small bay scallops as they’ll overcook quickly.
- Get them nice and dry. Dry the scallops thoroughly with paper towels to help them sear properly and avoid excess moisture.
- Don’t overbake! Cook the scallops at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until they are opaque, and the bacon is crispy, being careful not to overcook them.
- Make them extra crispy. For extra crispy bacon, broil the scallops for an additional 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, but watch closely to avoid burning.
- Vary them up. Consider adding different spices or herbs to the garlic butter mixture or using maple-glazed bacon for a sweet-savory twist.
- Make them a meal. Serve with side dishes like roasted broccolini, risotto, or pan-roasted asparagus for a balanced meal.
How to Store
If you have leftover scallops, keep them fresh with these steps.
To Store: Place leftover bacon-wrapped scallops in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Ensure they’re completely cooled before storing to avoid condensation.
To Freeze: Arrange the scallops in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Frozen scallops can be stored for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To Reheat: Reheat the scallops in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through, or use a skillet on medium heat for a few minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it will make the scallops rubbery.
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
12
servings20
minutes22
minutes86
kcalThese bacon-wrapped scallops are the perfect party appetizer! The garlic butter sauce takes them straight over the top, too.
Ingredients
12 large sea scallops (about 1-1.5 inches in diameter)
6 slices bacon (cut in half, for 12 pieces)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter, melted
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 tsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional: a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika (for a bit of heat)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the bacon slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking rack. Bake for about 5-7 minutes, until the bacon is partially cooked but still pliable. Remove bacon from the oven and let cool slightly. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F.
- While the bacon is cooling, pat the scallops dry with paper towels. This helps them sear nicely. Lightly season scallops with salt, black pepper, and (optional) a small pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for an extra kick.
- Wrap each scallop with a half-slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Brush each bacon-wrapped scallop with the garlic butter mixture for added flavor.
- Place the scallops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly oiled rack. Bake in the oven at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes, until the scallops are opaque and the bacon is crispy. Avoid over-baking, as scallops cook quickly and can become rubbery.
- If you want extra-crispy bacon, broil the scallops for an additional 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for a minute. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for color and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use large scallops. Larger scallops (sea scallops) are ideal, as they stay juicy and tender while the bacon cooks.
- Pre-cook the bacon. Par-cooking ensures that the bacon will crisp up perfectly without overcooking the scallops.
- Scallops are best enjoyed immediately, as they can become rubbery if reheated.
