Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops

How to Make Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

These juicy, tender scallops wrapped in crisp, smoky bacon are simple to make and only take a few minutes to cook.

Start by wrapping each scallop with a strip of bacon and securing it with a toothpick. Then, all you need to do is place them in the air fryer basket and cook for 6-10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 Celsius). That’s it! 

I actually do marinate scallops lightly. This is completely optional. May I suggest this easy marinate to add more flavor to scallops? I got the suggestion from Skinnytaste.com and I really liked the outcome.

Ingredients:

• 12 Scallops
• 6 bacon slices
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Toothpicks
• Marinade ingredients:
• 4 TBSP butter
• 1TBSP lemon juice
• 2 TBSP Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp Worchester sauce
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

• Rinse the scallops and pat dry with a paper towel
• Season lightly with salt and pepper to taste.
• Cut bacon slices in half. (Half a bacon slice is usually enough to wrap one scallop)
• Wrap each scallop in a slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick or two. 
• Spritz spraying oil over scallops.
• Arrange scallops in a single layer in the air fryer, cook 6-10 minutes (400 F) turning halfway until the scallop is tender and bacon is cooked through.

Directions for marinade:

• Melt the butter, and add Worcestershire sauce, mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Dry the scallops with paper towels and dip them in the marinade. Leave them in it for 20 minutes.
• Cut bacon slices in half. (Half a bacon slice is usually enough to wrap one scallop)
• Wrap each scallop in a slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick. 
• Spritz spraying oil over scallops.
• Arrange scallops in a single layer in the air fryer, cook 8-10 minutes (390 F) turning halfway until scallop is tender and opaque and bacon is cooked through.

Tips for the Best Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

Quality matters: Start with high-quality fresh scallops. Make sure they are dry before wrapping them in bacon.

How to pick good quality scallops: First, look for large sea scallops (not bay scallops) that are plump and firm, with a creamy white color. They should have a fresh, ocean-like scent. Finally, feel the scallops to check that they’re not slimy or sticky. 

Frozen: Frozen scallops will work for this recipe too. But first, you need to defrost them safely in the refrigerator. If you are short on time, you can place the scallops in a bowl of cold water and let them sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Once defrosted, proceed with cooking directions.

How to wrap: Wrap the bacon around the scallop securely, but not too tight. You want the bacon to be touching all sides of the scallop, but you don’t want it to be so tight that it squeezes the scallop.

Do not overcook scallops or bacon: Scallops can be easily overcooked, resulting in rubbery, dry flesh. To avoid this, cook scallops in an air fryer.  Bacon-wrapped scallops are a particular favorite – the bacon adds flavor and prevents the scallops from drying out.  

When cooking bacon-wrapped scallops, be sure to cook them until the bacon is crisp but not burnt. Overcooking the bacon will make it tough and difficult to eat.  

Cut of bacon matters: Use a regular cut of bacon (or thin cut) Do not use the thick cut bacon because it may take way longer to cook through and you don’t want to overcook the delicate scallops.

Preheat: Preheat your air fryer or oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit before cooking the Bacon-Wrapped Scallops. This will help to ensure that they cook evenly.

Air fry the Bacon-wrapped scallops for 6-8 minutes in the air fryer or until the bacon is crispy. Bake or broil the Bacon-Wrapped Scallops in the oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and cooked through.

What to Serve with Bacon Scallops

Pair them with roasted vegetables. This could include roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted cauliflower, or roasted sweet potatoes. 

Another option is to serve them with a simple salad made of greens and topped with a light dressing. 

You could also serve the scallops alongside some rice or quinoa and a side of steamed broccoli. Whichever way you choose to enjoy them, bacon-wrapped scallops are sure to be a hit!

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