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 usually cook scallops, but this was pretty straightforward. One tip: pat them dry first so the bacon adheres better.
Yes! Patting them dry is huge—otherwise the bacon just slides right off. I do the same and it crisps way better.
I tried this once and mine came out kinda rubbery even though the bacon got crispy 😕 Not sure if it was overbaked or the scallops were too big. 18-20 min seems long for me—maybe I should watch closer.
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!
Bacon wrapped everything is always good. I’m not even judging lol. Next time I’ll add garlic or something but this base recipe is solid.
Totally agree—bacon makes everything better 😂 Next time I’d toss in a little garlic powder too. Do you think minced garlic would burn at 425?
425°F feels kinda high—mine browned too quickly on the outside. I’ll try lowering to 400 next time.
Totally fair—425°F can brown bacon fast. I’d also try 400°F and start checking around 15 minutes. Scallops are delicate; you don’t want them to go rubbery.
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! 👏👏
I tried it and the scallops tasted kinda bland… like I needed more seasoning than just black pepper. Maybe a pinch of garlic powder would help.
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!
Super easy and impressive for guests. Next time I’ll pat the scallops a bit drier so the bacon browns even faster.
Yes!! I do the same with drying them a little—helps the bacon crisp way faster. Great tip for entertaining too.
I don’t get why everyone loves these. They were kinda bland and boring. 🤷♂️
I followed it mostly, but I forgot the olive oil drizzle and they were still fine. Bacon crisped nicely. Next time I’ll do the full steps though.
I didn’t secure the toothpicks well and a couple bacon-wrapped guys fell apart. Flavor was good, presentation was meh.
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!
Made these for dinner last night—so good. The bacon gets perfectly crispy and the scallops stay tender. I used a little extra pepper and it really popped.
So glad you nailed it! The bacon crispiness + tender scallops combo is the best part. Extra pepper is the move 👌
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. 🎉
18 minutes?? Mine took closer to 25, and the bacon still wasn’t that crispy. Maybe my scallops were bigger? Either way, delicious.
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!
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about the oven temp and timing, but 18-20 minutes was spot on. Next time I might drain the bacon-on-scallop juices so it browns more evenly.
Totally agree—425°F and that 18–20 min window is clutch. I tried them longer once and the scallops got rubbery. Draining the bacon juices sounds smart too!
I did 25 min the first time cuz I thought “crispier” and yeah… they were dry. Also I never drain anything, but I guess the juices prevent browning. Makes sense. Still delish tho.
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!
Not gonna lie, I was nervous about 425°F. But the timing was good—bacon got crispy without overcooking the scallops. Next time I’ll add a squeeze of lemon though.
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!
Easy recipe, but the toothpicks are a must. I didn’t secure one properly and it slid off… sad little scallop. Still tasted amazing.
So true about the toothpicks 😅 I’m glad you still got to enjoy them though—bacon usually saves the day. Will definitely secure mine better next time!
I don’t really use toothpicks, I just lay the bacon tight. But mine kinda stuck to the pan once… maybe that’s why. Still, 425 for 20 mins seems long for scallops? I usually do less.
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.
These turned out amazing—super easy and the bacon gets perfectly crisp. I used a little extra pepper and it was spot on.
Yes!! I tried these last week and mine were *so* good—same perfect crisp on the bacon. I also went a bit heavier on the pepper and it really pops.
I’m skeptical only because 18–20 min sounds too fast for scallops, but I guess if they’re large and not overbaked it works. I might try again—also I don’t have toothpicks so I’ll see if I can “fold” the bacon tighter lol.
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.😕
I followed it exactly and got rubbery scallops 😕 Might be my oven or I overcooked them. Still tasty, just not the texture I wanted.