Bacon Wrapped Shrimp is the perfect combination of smoky, savory, and sweet, creating a bite-sized appetizer that’s as impressive as it is delicious. With the crispy saltiness of bacon complementing the tender, succulent shrimp, this dish has become a favorite at parties, holiday gatherings, and casual dinners alike. Its ease of preparation and bold flavors make it a crowd-pleaser every time.
The key to perfect bacon-wrapped shrimp is balance. Choose large, fresh shrimp and opt for thin-cut bacon so it crisps up quickly without overcooking the shrimp. A simple seasoning of garlic, paprika, or a touch of cayenne can elevate the flavors, while a drizzle of honey or maple syrup adds a subtle sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the smoky bacon. For extra flavor, some recipes call for brushing the shrimp with a light marinade before wrapping, enhancing both taste and juiciness.
Preparation is simple but requires attention to detail. Each shrimp is individually wrapped with a strip of bacon and secured with a toothpick to prevent unraveling during cooking. The shrimp can be baked in the oven, grilled, or pan-seared, depending on your preference. Baking offers convenience and ensures even cooking, while grilling adds a smoky char that intensifies the flavor. The result is a dish that is perfectly caramelized on the outside while tender and juicy on the inside.
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp is versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides and sauces. A fresh citrus aioli, spicy sriracha mayo, or classic cocktail sauce can elevate the dish, making it ideal for entertaining. For a complete meal, serve alongside a crisp Iceberg lettuce salad, roasted vegetables, or a light pasta dish.
Not only is this appetizer flavorful, but it also makes a visually striking presentation. The golden, crispy bacon encasing plump pink shrimp is instantly appealing and often disappears from the plate quickly. Whether served at a casual barbecue or a formal dinner, Bacon Wrapped Shrimp is a surefire way to impress guests with minimal effort.
This dish proves that sometimes the simplest ingredients, when combined thoughtfully, create the most unforgettable flavors. Bacon Wrapped Shrimp is indulgent, satisfying, and undeniably delicious, making it a must-try for seafood and bacon lovers alike.
Ingredients
- 8 pieces shrimp peeled and deveined
- 4 slices bacon cut in half
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing
- 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wrap each shrimp with a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Place the bacon-wrapped shrimp on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with black pepper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the shrimp is cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
I used frozen shrimp and it turned out fine. Just gotta adjust baking time! Cheap and tasty!
Frozen shrimp? Really? I always thought fresh was the way to go. Are you sure it tasted good?
I usually use fresh shrimp, but if frozen works for you, that’s great! Saving money is always a win! 🙌
Why do we need olive oil? Isn’t bacon already super oily? 🤔
Bacon wrapped shrimp? Sounds fancy but sooo easy! Tried it at my party, it was a hit!
Meh, I’ve had better. Shrimp was too chewy for me.
These are amazing! The bacon makes everything better. 😍
Totally agree! Bacon makes everything taste so much better, even shrimp! 🥓🦐
Y’all, I tried this but the bacon was too greasy. Not a fan. 🤢
I actually thought the bacon added a great flavor! Maybe try using less bacon next time?
The pepper amount felt perfect. I used freshly ground and it tasted like restaurant food. Toothpicks held fine.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about only 12-15 minutes. Mine were done at 15, but I had to keep an eye on the bacon so it didn’t burn.
Idk, 12-15 min feels kinda short for shrimp + bacon together. Mine took way longer than that and the bacon was still not crispy at first 😅 maybe my oven runs hot? Still tasty though.
Totally hear you—bacon can go from perfect to burnt fast. I usually do closer to the 15-min mark too and check around 12. Love that you kept an eye on it!
Yum! Perfect for game night. I added some garlic powder for extra flavor. Thanks for sharing!
Wow this is easy! But that’s a LOT of bacon. Shrimp is good with everything. Shrimp rocks!
Didn’t really work for me. The bacon didn’t crisp up like in the picture. I think I did something wrong.
I don’t know, it worked for me just fine. Sometimes you just gotta keep practicing! 😅
Maybe your oven temp was off? I’ve had that happen too. Try using a broiler at the end for extra crisp!
I don’t like shrimp. Can you do this with chicken instead? Would it be the same?
SO GOOD!!! My whole family loved it. I could eat this every day! ❤️
I’m so glad you loved it! It’s one of my favorites too. 😍
Bacon on shrimp? Seems kinda odd to me. Not sure about this mix.
I thought the same at first, but it’s actually really good! The flavors complement each other surprisingly well.
Disappointing. The shrimp was rubbery and the bacon fell off. Not worth the effort.
So easy! I just butterflied the shrimp before wrapping. Loved it!
These are so delicious! I made them for a party and everyone loved them. Will definitely make again!
I like bacon, but wrapping each shrimp with half a slice is kinda tedious. The result is worth it, just wish it was quicker.
Totally get you—wrapping shrimp one-by-one is a time sink. I did the same setup once and it was delicious, but wow. Next time I’m gonna try prepping everything in batches so I’m not stuck toothpicking forever.
Why not just cook the shrimp first then throw bacon on top? Seems less work. I mean, bacon will still crisp. 400°F is good though. 🤷
These are delicious! I made them for a party and everyone loved them! 😍
Super easy and quick to make! Perfect for game night! 🏈
This was alright. Shrimp was okay but bacon kinda burnt, maybe I cooked too long? 3 stars.
I totally get that! Bacon can be tricky. Maybe try a shorter cook time next time? They still look yummy though!
Isn’t baking shrimp bad? I thought you could only grill or fry them. Not sure about this.
I tried it, but my bacon didn’t get crispy. Maybe my oven sucks? Idk. Still tasty though.
Maybe try using a higher rack? That helps the heat circulate better. Glad it was tasty though!
Good flavor, but 400°F feels a tad high for the thickness of my bacon. I had to bake closer to 10 minutes or it browned too much.
I think this is a horrible recipe. Shrimp and bacon doesn’t mix, who thought of that?
I followed it exactly and they were tasty, but the bacon didn’t get as crispy as I wanted. Next time I’ll try broiling for the last minute.
I don’t get what the fuss about bacon is. Just seems like too much for shrimps. 2 stars.
Easy to make! Just wish I had more bacon. Who can ever have enough bacon? Lol.
Bacon makes everything better! You can never have too much bacon, right? Just add more next time!
Lol, I thought the same thing! But can you really handle that much bacon? Might turn into a bacon monster!
I didn’t have shrimp, so I used chicken instead. Still went well! But not as good as shrimp, I guess.
Bacon. Shrimp. What more do you need??? Simple and yummy! 10/10!
This recipe is amazing! The bacon adds such a great flavor to the shrimp. A must-try!
Easy to follow and fast. I was skeptical about 12 minutes, but the shrimp were perfectly cooked at 14. Would absolutely make again.
I followed it exactly and the bacon wasn’t crispy for me—more like chewy. I think my oven runs cool. Maybe broil for the last minute?
Mine turned out a little too salty because my bacon was already seasoned, but the peppery finish was still nice. Next time I’ll use plain bacon.
Shrimp cooked through fine, but the bacon was a little salty for my taste. Might reduce the pepper/oil next time and go lighter on seasoning.
Maybe you used super salty bacon? I dunno. Mine comes out fine, but I also add a little garlic salt, so it might be too much for some. Could try lowering the cook time too so the bacon doesnt dry out and get saltier.
Totally agree—bacon can be super salty on its own. I usually cut back the pepper (or even skip the extra oil brushing) and it turns out way more balanced. Next time try a quick taste before baking too.
Low effort, big wow. Also, parchment paper saved me from a greasy mess. Served with lemon and it was even better.
i tried this but my bacon didn’t get crispy. maybe my shrimp were too wet? i did the lemon part too tho and it helped a lot.
Totally agree—400°F for 12-15 mins is such a sweet spot. I always forget parchment and then regret it 😅
Shrimp cooks fast so I’m always worried—mine were slightly overdone (rubbery). I’d check at 10–12 minutes next time.
Pretty straightforward, and the pepper really makes it pop. I used thick-cut bacon (oops, slightly longer bake time) but still delicious.
400°F seems too high to me… I turned it down to 375 and it took longer. Not bad, just different texture—still ate it all.
400°F always sounded hot for shrimp to me too—375 makes sense. What texture did you notice (more tender vs firmer)? Glad it still turned out tasty!
hmm i always follow the directions but if bacon was getting crispy at 375 i guess it’s not a big problem. 12-15 min feels short tho… i’d go by “shrimp cooked” not the timer lol. 😅
I tried to secure with toothpicks but my toothpicks kept falling out lol. I ended up using a skewer and it worked better.
These came out way better than I expected—crispy bacon edge + juicy shrimp. I did 14 minutes and it was perfect. Definitely making again!
Not gonna lie, I messed up and forgot to preheat… still ended up edible. Crisped up enough in the end though.
The instructions are simple, but I think you need a bit more oil—otherwise the pepper doesn’t stick as well. Still tasted good though.
Good point! I usually do brush a little extra oil right before baking so the pepper grabs better. Glad it still tasted good though 🙂
These were surprisingly good—bacon got super crisp and the shrimp stayed juicy. I brushed with a little extra oil and it worked great.
This is basically my new “lazy fancy” appetizer. I served with lemon wedges and it was gone fast.
Love the “lazy fancy” vibe 😄 Lemon wedges sounds like a perfect bright touch for the salty bacon—going to try that next time. Mine usually disappear fast too!
Hmm I made this once and the bacon got kinda chewy in the middle, maybe my shrimp were too big? 12-15 min felt short. Still tasted good though. Do you use small shrimp or thawed?