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Bacon Wrapped Scallops in Oven Appetizer Recipe

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.

A dozen bacon wrapped scallops on a white serving dish with a cut lemon in the background.

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Contents

Click on any of these headings to jump ahead:

  1. Recipe Features
  2. Ingredients Needed
  3. Equipment Needed
  4. Best Bacon for Wrapping Scallops
  5. Sea Scallops vs Bay Scallops
  6. Buying Scallops
  7. Step by Step Instructions
  8. FAQs
  9. Recipe Variations
  10. Bacon Wrapped Scallops Recipe
  11. 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

A pound of bacon, 24 sea scallops and a container of wooden cocktail picks.

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

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. 

8 raw bacon wrapped scallops in a pan.

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.

A single uncooked bacon wrapped scallop and a pile of wooden picks

Next, arrange the scallops on a foil-lined baking sheet with a rack. Preheat oven broiler.

Nine bacon wrapped scallops on a broiler pan.

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.

Cooked bacon wrapped scallops on a broiler pan

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.

A pile of bacon wrapped scallops garnished with chives on a white background.
  1. Brown Sugar Scallops: Sprinkle the scallops on both sides with a total of 2 tablespoons brown sugar before broiling.
  2. 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.
  3. Savory Scallops: After removing from the oven, sprinkle the scallops with a pinch of your favorite steak seasoning salt and freshly ground black pepper. 
  4. 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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A dozen bacon wrapped scallops on a white serving dish with a cut lemon in the background.

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
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
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.
    Seven cooked scallops wrapped in bacon and just out of the oven.

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.

ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES

Whenever you come back to this recipe, you’ll be able to see your notes!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 83kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 9gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 367mg
Nutritional Information Disclosure
Keyword appetizers, bacon, seafood
Did you make this recipe? We love seeing what you made! Be sure to leave a review, and show us your bacon creations on Instagram! Tag us at @BensaBaconLovers!

You might also enjoy viewing the Bacon-Wrapped Scallops web story.

Save to Pinterest

If you use Pinterest to save and share recipes, here’s a handy pin:

bacon wrapped scallops on a white serving dish with lemon.

Enjoy! 

eliza cross

About Eliza & BENSA

BENSA was founded by bacon expert Eliza Cross, author of more than a dozen cookbooks. She has written three bacon cookbooks including the award-winning Bacon Beans and Beer, the bestselling 101 Things to Do With Bacon, and the popular sequel 101 More Things to Do With Bacon. Learn more about BENSA...

26 thoughts on “Bacon Wrapped Scallops in Oven Appetizer Recipe”

  1. 5 stars
    These were so unique and delicious; an easy gourmet appetizer that everyone loved! Easily, a new favorite recipe!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    My daughter and I loved these, and were such a big hit for our get together today! I will definitely make these again! Quick and easy too!

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    These are just SO easy to whip up for parties! Just love how simple they are. Two-ingredient recipes for the win!

    Reply
  4. 5 stars
    I’ve only had these made at a restaurant before but they sound easy to make at home! These bacon wrapped scallops would be perfect for date night

    Reply
  5. 5 stars
    I’ve always been intimidated to make these, but your recipe makes it so simple!! Such an easy, delicious appetizer. Thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply
  6. 5 stars
    These are so good. Only 2 ingredients and super easy to cook under the broiler. Will be my go-to appetizers from now on.

    Reply
  7. 5 stars
    What a fabulous classic appetizer. Don’t know why I haven’t had them in so long. Definitely making these ASAP!

    Reply
  8. 5 stars
    I made these with dinner last night and omg were they amazing! So full of flavor and my whole family loved them!

    Reply
  9. 5 stars
    Just when I thought scallops couldn’t get any better, you go wrap them in bacon! ;) Looks delicious.

    Reply
  10. 5 stars
    I can’t believe how easy these were. I took your advice to use high quality bacon and they were so delicious.

    Reply
  11. 5 stars
    I just love the bacon wrapped around the scallops. I know my friends will love this and I’ll be making these appetizers for our party!

    Reply
  12. 5 stars
    Wow, these bacon wrapped scallops cooked in the oven are so tasty! I love the savory flavor of bacon to season the scallops. We use them to top our salads.

    Reply

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