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.

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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

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

• A baking sheet with a rack
• Wooden appetizer picks
• Aluminum foil

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. 

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.

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

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.

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

4 Recipe Variations

Here are three ways you can season these bacon-wrapped scallops oven broiled to suit your tastebuds.

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: 

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:

Enjoy!