Bacon-Wrapped Scallops are the ultimate appetizer for any occasion, combining the smoky flavor of crispy bacon with the delicate sweetness of tender scallops. A delicious and easy appetizer or main dish, bacon-wrapped scallops are the perfect combination of savory and sweet. This elegant yet easy recipe delivers a perfect balance of textures: juicy seafood wrapped in savory bacon, caramelized on the outside and buttery on the inside. Whether you’re planning a dinner party or a special weekend meal, these bite-sized delights always impress.
To make them, start with fresh, large sea scallops. Pat them dry thoroughly to help them sear beautifully and prevent steaming. Wrap each scallop with half a strip of bacon, securing it with a toothpick. Because bacon takes longer to cook than scallops, it’s best to pre-cook the bacon slightly before wrapping. This step ensures both components cook evenly and the scallops stay tender instead of overdone.
Once wrapped, season lightly with salt, pepper, and a touch of garlic powder or paprika for extra flavor. You can bake them in the oven or sear them in a skillet before finishing under the broiler. The key is to achieve that perfect golden crust on the bacon while keeping the scallops juicy. If you prefer a hint of sweetness, brush them with a glaze made from maple syrup or honey mixed with soy sauce before baking.
Jump to RecipeScallops are a type of shellfish known for their tender, slightly sweet flavor and delicate texture. They come from the adductor muscle of bivalve mollusks and are commonly found in two main varieties: sea scallops, which are larger, and bay scallops, which are smaller and sweeter.
Scallops cook very quickly, usually in just a few minutes per side. They’re done when they turn opaque and have a golden-brown crust on the outside. The inside should remain slightly translucent and tender, not dry or rubbery. Overcooking makes scallops tough, so it’s best to watch them closely.
Yes, but lightly. Rinse scallops briefly under cold water to remove any sand or residue, then pat them completely dry with paper towels. Dry scallops sear better, creating a nice caramelized crust without steaming.
“Dry” scallops are untreated and have a natural flavor and texture, while “wet” scallops are soaked in a chemical solution that adds moisture and affects taste. For the best sear and flavor, always choose dry scallops, they cook more evenly and develop a better crust
Scallops can be prepared in many ways, but pan-searing is the most popular method for a golden, crisp exterior and tender inside. They can also be grilled, baked, or broiled. For a special touch, try wrapping them in bacon, adding them to pasta, or serving them over creamy risotto. The key is to cook them quickly over high heat and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Serve your Bacon-Wrapped Scallops as an appetizer, party snack, or even a main course paired with a light green salad or roasted vegetables. They also pair beautifully with a crisp white wine or sparkling prosecco, enhancing their delicate, savory flavor.
Elegant yet simple, these Bacon-Wrapped Scallops bring a restaurant-quality experience straight to your kitchen. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, they’re a timeless dish that never fails to impress guests or satisfy a craving for something indulgent and refined.
Ingredients
- 12 scallops large, cleaned
- 6 slices bacon cut in half
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- to taste black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Wrap each scallop with half a slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.
- Place the bacon-wrapped scallops on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
- Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the scallops are cooked through.
Nutrition
These bacon-wrapped scallops are amazing! Total crowd pleaser at my dinner party. Everyone loved them!
Never tried scallops before, but I love bacon. Might give this a shot, but scared they will taste fishy.
Can you even cook scallops without messing them up? I’ve always burned mine before. How can you trust this recipe?
Just made these and they were sooo delicious! I added a bit of garlic for extra flavor. Yum!
Garlic sounds like a great addition! I might try that next time. Glad you enjoyed it!
Bacon and scallops? Ugh, too rich for me. How could you even eat those?
Too much bacon! Scallops are supposed to shine, not be overshadowed by pig!
But bacon makes everything better! Why not indulge a little?
I think the bacon adds a nice smokey flavor! It’s a classic combo. Can’t wait to try!
I don’t get why bacon and scallops go together. Seems kinda weird. But hey, whatever floats your boat.
I dunno, seems odd to me too! But maybe it’s like sweet and salty snacks? Still, I ain’t trying that!
Bacon and scallops are actually a classic combo! The saltiness of the bacon complements the sweetness of the scallops. You should give it a try!
Bacon wrapped anything is a win in my book, but this was just okay for me. Needed more seasoning or something.
Yummy!
Wow, just wow! Who knew bacon makes everything better? Love this recipe!
These were amazing! A perfect appetizer for my dinner party. Everyone loved them!
OMG! I made these for a party and they were gone in minutes! Everyone raved about them! 👏👏
Bacon on scallops? Sounds strange but actually works! Kudos to whoever invented this.
I didn’t have toothpicks, so I used string. They fell apart in the oven! 🙁
I tried this recipe but the bacon didn’t get crispy. What did I do wrong?
Made these last night—so simple but fancy. The bacon gets perfectly crisp and the scallops stay tender. Definitely doing again.
Bacon. Scallops. What else do you need in life? Perfect combo, easy to make. 5 stars!
Bacon + seafood = yes. I don’t even care if the timing is perfect, it still tastes good.
Couldn’t find toothpicks. Used chopsticks instead. It was a mess but tasted good. lol
Could’ve used more seasoning besides pepper. I’ll try garlic powder or a pinch of smoked paprika next time.
I don’t like scallops, but my partner loved them! Would try with chicken instead. 4 stars for the idea!
I don’t get why everyone loves these. They were kinda bland and boring. 🤷♂️
These were fantastic! The combination of bacon and scallops is just heavenly. Will definitely make again!
I didn’t think you could mess up scallops, but mine were super rubbery. Maybe I cooked them too long?
Rubbery scallops? Yikes! Yeah, overcooking could definitely do that. Maybe try just a few minutes less next time!
Tasty and quick, but I used turkey bacon! Still turned out great!
Turkey bacon? Really? I dunno if that works the same way. But if you liked it, that’s cool!
I tried it with regular bacon and it was amazing! But hey, if turkey worked for you, that’s awesome!
These were absolutely delish! Perfect for a party, everyone loved them.
5 stars! I added garlic and it took these to another level!
Garlic is a great idea! I never thought of that, but it must make it even better!
Yum! My family said these were the best thing I’ve ever cooked. So crispy!
Not bad, but 425°F seems high for scallops—mine turned a bit chewy. Flavor was good though.
Yummy but why do they call it ‘bacon-wrapped’? The bacon is gone after cooking!
This is just too many calories! Bacon and scallops? Really?? Too much!
Calories are what make this dish SO good! Live a little!
I just wrapped em and threw in my air fryer! So easy and delish!
I tried to make this but the bacon burnt and my scallops were raw. What did I do wrong? 😩
These were a hit at our dinner party! So delicious and easy to make. Will definitely make again!
Bacon is life. Scallops are, well, kinda gross. But wrapped in bacon? It’s a game changer. 👍
Totally agree! Bacon makes everything better. I’ve even wrapped it around veggies. So good!
I don’t get it. Scallops are just fine on their own. Why drown them in bacon? Seems messy to me.
Tried making these last night. They didn’t come out crispy at all. Maybe I did something wrong?
Maybe you didn’t bake ’em long enough? 20 minutes seemed to work for me. Try again!
Lol I thought it was scallops wrapped in bacon, not the other way around. Is that a thing?
WOW this tastes like heaven. Will be making again next week! 🍴
I’m glad you loved it! These are always a hit at parties. 🎉
Gotta love bacon! But honestly, next time I think I’ll just toss them on the grill. Easier clean-up! 3/5
Bacon’s good and all, but scallops? Nah, I think I’ll stick to chicken. Too fancy!
Grilling sounds like a great idea! But you won’t get that perfect oven crispiness. Just my opinion!
This looks fancy but too hard for me. I think I’ll stick to frying the bacon and just eating it.
I can’t even cook, but tried this and it worked! Maybe I am a genius in the making?
👏👏 Can’t believe how easy these are! I’m not a good cook, and it turned out great!
Honestly, scallops scare me, but this was pretty hard to mess up. My family ate them all, so yeah, 10/10 in my book.
I tried this once… mine were kind of chewy though. I think I undercooked the scallops or used bacon too thick. Still, 425 for 20 min worked better than stove-top for me.
Same here—scallops always seem intimidating. But the bacon wrap really makes it hard to screw up. Glad your family demolished them 😄
I wrapped my scallops in some sandwich meat instead. It was weird but tasty!
Eww, sandwich meat? That’s not right. Bacon is part of the deal! Scallops deserve better!
That’s a creative twist! I never thought of using sandwich meat. Might have to try it sometime!
I cooked mine closer to 20 minutes and they were great. Next time I’ll pre-crisp the bacon a little longer because my toothpicks popped out, lol.
I don’t have bacon, can I use something else? Like chicken? Asking for a friend.
You could try chicken, but it won’t taste the same! Bacon’s got that smoky flavor that chicken just doesn’t have. Good luck!
I dunno, the bacon was too greasy for me and the scallops didn’t really taste like much. Kinda disappointed.
Come on! It’s bacon! 🤷♂️ You should give it another shot. Might have just been a bad batch of scallops.
I totally get where you’re coming from! Bacon can be hit or miss sometimes. Maybe try using less bacon next time or a different seasoning for the scallops? Just my two cents!
Made this for my dad’s birthday and he couldn’t stop eating them! A winner recipe!
Used regular scallops because I couldn’t find large ones. Still turned out great!
1 tbsp olive oil seems like too much? I used half and it was fine. Still good flavor, but I’d add garlic or butter next time.
I kinda agree—1 tbsp olive oil felt like a lot at first, but I think it helps the bacon crisp up. Half sounds totally fine though. Garlic would be amazing with scallops!
I only used like 1 tsp and still got good crisp. Also I didn’t add garlic, but kinda wish I did—next time for sure. This was tasty either way!
This recipe is way too simple, is it even worth it? How can you only use bacon and scallops? Sounds boring.
I don’t know, wrapping scallops in bacon just seems wrong. Scallops are delicate and bacon is too overpowering. I give it 2 stars.
Nah, I disagree. Scallops are for fancy dishes, not wrapped in bacon. Yikes! But everyone has their own taste, I guess.
I think bacon just makes everything better! Scallops are great, but adding bacon? That’s next level! Love this recipe!
“Cooked through” is vague—how do you tell? Mine were fine but I guessed. Would’ve liked a temp or texture cue.
Yeah, “cooked through” is kind of hand-wavy. I usually check for doneness by texture: the scallops should be opaque all the way through and still slightly springy—not rubbery. If you have a thermometer, target about 120°F (49°C) for the scallop, then pull and let them rest a minute while the bacon finishes crisping.
I followed the recipe exactly but my scallops turned out rubbery. What did I do wrong? 😟
Quick and tasty, but I had to add like 3 more minutes because my bacon wasn’t quite crisp. Still a win—peppery and rich.
Mine came out kinda chewy, I think 18 minutes was too short for thick bacon. I also sprinkled too much pepper so it was almost bitter 😅 Still good though. Next time I’ll cook longer and pat the scallops dry.
Totally agree—mine needed a couple extra minutes too. The bacon takes its sweet time at 425°F, but once it crisped up the pepper really stood out.
I don’t get it—scallops are expensive and then wrapped in bacon? Sounds like a gimmick, but my wife said it was great.
Scallops were too chewy for my taste. I prefer shrimp.😕
So easy to make! I’ll definitely be making these again. Yum!
Really? I found them kinda tricky to make… the bacon didn’t stay wrapped for me.
So glad to hear that! These are a hit at my dinner parties too!
Too salty for me. Also I couldn’t find toothpicks so I used foil and it was a mess lol.
Honestly? 18 minutes at 425°F is perfect. I served with rice and everyone acted like I slaved all day.
18 min at 425°F really does nail it. I did mine with a little extra pepper and they came out juicy—no rubbery scallops at all. Nice tip on serving with rice too!
These scallops were amazing! The bacon added such a nice flavor. Will definitely make again!
I forgot the toothpicks and just laid them flat. Somehow they still worked? Bacon was crisp, scallops were cooked through. Weird but yay.
So simple! I love recipes where I just wrap and bake. The toothpicks held fine and the olive oil helped a lot with browning.
Bacon and scallops? Sounds a bit weird, but I guess I’ll try it… 🤷♂️
Why do you have to season with black pepper? Bacon already salty. Make it simpler next time!
Okay but like… scallops are expensive. If you overcook them they turn rubbery fast. Mine did slightly, and I’m not sure 18-20 is enough for thicker ones.
Bacon + scallops? Sounds strange but it actually works! Who knew? Pretty good!
These were so good! Made them for my friends, and they couldn’t stop raving about them. Definitely a hit! 5 stars!
Wow, I need to try these! They sound delish! 😍
I tried to make these but ended up burnin ’em. Sad face. 🙁 Maybe I should just stick to cereal…
Don’t give up! Cooking takes practice. You can totally nail these next time! 🔥
Easy and impressive. I was worried about overcooking the scallops, but 19 minutes was perfect. Next time I’ll use thicker-cut bacon.
These are AMAZING! I served them at a dinner party and everyone loved them.
The seasoning step is basically ‘pepper to taste’ which is true but also kinda vague—still, I went heavy and it slapped. Great combo with a lemon squeeze.
These are amazing! The bacon adds so much flavor to the scallops. Perfect for a dinner party!
Yum! Simple and delicious. Perfect for dipping in some garlic butter. 😍
Totally agree! Garlic butter makes everything better. 😋
Dis is too much bacon ugh! Scallops r fine on their own. Why ruin them?
They turned out ok, but the bacon was a bit too greasy for my liking. Maybe I should’ve used less oil? 3/5
Bacon greasy? Nah! Bacon is supposed to be greasy! But I get it, maybe use a paper towel to soak some up after cooking? 2/5
I think you might’ve just had too much bacon! Try fewer slices next time, or drain the grease after baking. 4/5
Not bad! I think 425°F is spot on. Mine tasted a little bland though—needed more black pepper and maybe a squeeze of lemon.
Absolutely loved these! The bacon gets so crispy, and the scallops stay tender. I added a squeeze of lemon at the end—chef’s kiss.
Yum!! 😋 I paired these with a lemon garlic butter sauce and it was heavenly. 5 stars!
I followed the instructions exactly and mine were kinda rubbery. Not sure if I overcooked or if my scallops were too big. Flavor is good though.
Yum! I added some garlic powder and it took it to the next level. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Bacon good, scallops weird. I’m not sure if I like it together. But, whatever!
These were absolutely delicious! The bacon gives such a good flavor to the scallops. 5 stars!
Mine stuck a little to the baking sheet even though I used oil. Still tasty, but I’d line it with parchment next time.
Not bad, but I think 425°F is too hot for my oven. Bacon cooked way faster than the scallops, so I’d lower temp next time or par-cook bacon.
Wow, I did these for my friends and they couldn’t stop eating! Definitely making them again.
I used thawed frozen scallops and they released a lot of water. Next time I’ll pat them super dry first—still tasted good, just less seared.
Quick question: do I bake them on parchment? I used foil and the bacon stuck a tiny bit. Still yummy.
Foil works, but yeah bacon sticks sometimes—next time maybe spray the foil or line with parchment. 18-20 min at 425 sounds right too.
I usually do parchment if I can—foil can be a little stickier with bacon fat. Grease the parchment lightly and you should be good!
Scallops are expensive and this didn’t wow me like restaurants. Maybe I overcooked—mine turned a bit rubbery at 20 minutes.
Totally get it—scallops can be pricey. I’ve learned 20 minutes is often too long in a hot oven; mine went rubbery once too. I now check at ~14–16 minutes and pull them when they’re just opaque.
Disaster. My oven ran cold or something because 20 minutes did nothing; bacon wasn’t crispy at all. Could be my setup though.
Not bad, but the bacon got a little too crispy before the scallops were “cooked through.” Next time I’ll start checking at 15 minutes or lower the temp a bit.
Scallops are overrated! 😒 Plus, I can’t believe you guys wrapped it in bacon? Its like baconflavored bacon?! 1 star.
I think scallops are amazing! The bacon just elevates the dish. Don’t knock it till you try it! 🍴
Why u so mad about bacon? It’s delicious! Scallops and bacon is a classic combo. You just gotta learn to appreciate it.
Honestly, I had high hopes but mine burned after 15 minutes. Followed the recipe exactly! Disappointed. 2.
I’m sorry to hear yours burned! Maybe your oven runs hot? I’ve had great luck at 400°F. Give it another shot!
Mine turned out perfect! You gotta pay attention to it in the last few minutes. Don’t give up on it!
These turned out amazing—perfectly crispy bacon and tender scallops. I cooked them the full 20 minutes and they were spot on. Will definitely make again for dinner parties!
These were ridiculously good—sweet scallops with that crispy bacon edge. 19 minutes at 425°F was perfect for me. Will make again for sure.
I followed it pretty much exactly, but I think my scallops were smaller because I needed closer to 22 minutes. Still super tasty and the pepper really pops.
These were way too salty for my taste—maybe my bacon was extra salty. I’d par-cook the bacon a few minutes first.
Toothpicks burned a tiny bit, so use foil under the rack or check halfway. Otherwise these are delicious and look fancy without effort.
I don’t trust scallops in the oven. I always think they’ll dry out. Surprisingly they turned out juicy—props.