Easy Bacon Wrapped Scallops Appetizer Recipe

Delicate sea scallops wrapped in crispy, savory bacon are surprisingly easy to make yet look stunning on any platter. The smoky richness of the salty bacon pair beautifully with the natural sweetness of the scallops.

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Total Time25

Course: Appetizer, Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 30 minute meal, appetizer, copycat, easy appetizer, easy meals, easy recipe, restaurant recipe, scallops recipe, seafood recipe

Servings: pieces

Calories: 76kcal

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Kitchen Essentials

Cast Iron

Half Sheet Pan

Ingredients

12 Slices Bacon thin cut
24 Large Sea Scallops about 2 pounds fresh scallops, side muscle removed
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Butter optional but delicious
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Precook the Bacon. This step makes all the difference. Cut the bacon strips in half. You’ll be using half a piece of bacon for wrapping each scallop. Cook the thin sliced bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven just until it starts to render fat but is still pliable — not crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels. This allows the bacon to finish cooking without overcooking the scallops.
12 Slices Bacon
Prepare the Scallops. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Dry scallops sear better and don’t steam in the oven.
24 Large Sea Scallops, Salt and black pepper
Wrap the Scallops. Wrap a half slice of bacon around the side of the scallop and secure with a toothpick. Continue to wrap the rest of the scallops. If using butter or olive oil, lightly brush the outside of each wrapped scallop. Toothpicks should be soaked in water if baking or broiling.
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 Tablespoon Butter
Place the bacon-wrapped scallops on a sheet pan in a single layer. For easy clean up, line with parchment paper.
Cook. You can bake, broil, or pan-sear these depending on your preference:
Oven Method (Easy & Hands-Off). Preheat oven to 400°F. Place scallops on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes, flipping once, until scallops are opaque and bacon is crisp
Broiler Method (Extra Crisp Bacon). Broil 4–6 inches from heat for 6-8 minutes, turning once.
Skillet Method. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Cook scallops for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and bacon is crisp.

Your Own Private Notes

Click here to add your own private notes.

Notes

Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Use larger sea scallops so they don’t overcook
Always pat scallops dry before wrapping
Thin sliced bacon works best for even cooking
For crispy bacon, precook so it is crispy when done without overcooking the scallops
For tender scallops, don’t overcook the scallops as they can become rubbery
Don’t overcrowd the pan or baking sheet

How Many Scallops Per Person?

For bacon-wrapped scallops as an appetizer, the general guideline is:

3–4 scallops per person for a light appetizer
5–6 scallops per person if it’s the main appetizer at a party or special occasion

Since these are rich and filling, 3–4 is usually plenty for a starter before a main meal. If serving a larger crowd or at a holiday party, you can scale up and always make a few extras. They tend to disappear fast!

If you’re serving bacon wrapped scallops as a main dish, plan on:

6–8 large scallops per person for an average meal
8–10 scallops per person if it’s the star of the plate with lighter sides

Scallops are rich but cook down quickly, so a slightly larger portion feels more satisfying when they’re the main course. Pair them with hearty side dishes like roasted potatoes, risotto, buttered noodles, or seasonal vegetables to round out the meal.

Nutrition