Bacon Wrapped Scallops Air Fryer Recipe (2024)

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This bacon wrapped scallops air fryer recipe needs two ingredients and is the perfect appetizer or main course for a family dinner.

Bacon wrapped scallops air fryer are super simple to make with no complex preparation, and you can have them ready in 10 minutes. Bite-sized and delicious, they’re just the thing if you’re looking for easy scallop appetizer recipes!

This recipe for bacon wrapped scallops is deliberately simple with no extra flavorings because they just aren’t needed. The scallops and the bacon flavors are a great pairing on their own plus the air fryer is the best way to cook bacon wrapped scallops.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops Air Fryer Recipe (1)

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Scallops have a naturally mild and slightly sweet flavor and buttery texture, perfect with uncured bacon’s salty, smoky taste. Cooking them together in the air fryer seals in all flavors and juices, which is why air fryer bacon wrapped scallops are one of the tastiest things you’ll make.

Ingredients

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

Bacon Wrapped Scallops Air Fryer Recipe (2)

Buying sea scallops: You should be able to find them in your local grocery store quickly, or you can opt to buy them from a fishmonger or even straight from the boat if you live near the sea!

Ensure that you buy sea scallops rather than bay scallops, as they are much larger - it would be difficult to wrap the smaller with bacon.

Generally, scallops will come out of the shell. Therefore, it’s best to buy them this way as it saves you the fiddly job of de-shelling them.

Bacon: I like to use uncured bacon. One of my favorite brands is Applegate, and also, the uncured one from Trader Joe’s is a budget-friendly alternative.

How to make scallops wrapped in bacon in the air fryer

Now that you know you can air fry scallops let's start with the steps you need to follow to make this amazing air fryer recipe.

First: Preheat the air fryer to 370ºF degrees for 5 minutes. This will help the scallops to sear faster while still wrapped.

Pat the sea scallops dry with paper towels, cut the bacon half lengthwise, and wrap each scallop with a half piece of bacon. Repeat until all the scallops are wrapped in bacon.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops Air Fryer Recipe (3)

Next, place in the preheated air fryer basket and cook for ten minutes turning halfway through or until scallops are opaque and firm and the bacon is cooked through.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops Air Fryer Recipe (4)

Finally, remove from the basket and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Recipe tips

  • This recipe is not intended to be made with thick bacon because it will take longer to cook. Or you’ll need to partially cook the bacon to 400F for 4 minutes (only if using thick bacon) and wait for it to cool down before wrapping.
  • Use a toothpick to secure the bacon in place if you want
  • Patting the scallops dry is crucial because the heat will conduct properly in the air fryer. Do this using sturdy paper towels, not ones that might disintegrate and stick to the scallops.
  • Different air fryer models will yield different results and cooking times. When cooking bacon wrapped scallops, ensure that they reach an internal temperature of 130°F before serving to ensure they are safe to eat. You can check this by inserting a meat thermometer into the center.
Bacon Wrapped Scallops Air Fryer Recipe (5)

How long to cook bacon wrapped scallops in air fryer

It usually takes around 5 minutes per side for bacon wrapped sea scallops to cook in an air fryer at 370°F.

Cook time can vary depending on the size, however, so you should always check with a meat thermometer before serving.

What to serve with bacon wrapped scallops

Air fryer scallops wrapped in bacon are gorgeous on their own or as an appetizer. You can also transform them into an entree if you combine them with some delicious sides:

  • Try them with this delicious instant pot risotto.
  • Serve them with this simple air fryer asparagus or this easy air fryer broccoli recipe.
  • Or cook up a pot of instant pot brown rice to serve them with, and add a good helping of fresh strawberry pineapple salsa for good measure.

If you want to serve them with other air fryer appetizer recipes

This crispy air fryer chicken wings and these Air fryer candied pecans are so easy to make. Or this air fryer fish sticks to add the perfect crunch.

How to store bacon wrapped scallops

You can store your bacon wrapped scallops in the fridge for 2-3 days or the freezer for up to 3 months. If you’re freezing them, you can do so before cooking if you prefer - ensure you defrost them thoroughly in the fridge before cooking.

To store them safely after cooking, ensure that they are thoroughly cooled, and then seal them in an airtight container. You should always put cooked food in the fridge or freezer within two hours of cooking.

How to reheat bacon wrapped scallops

Reheating in the air fryer

  • If reheating from frozen, defrost in the refrigerator first.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
  • Heat the scallops for 4-5 minutes, ensuring that you turn at least once.

Reheating in oven

  • If reheating from frozen, defrost in the refrigerator first.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Place the bacon wrapped scallops on a baking sheet.
  • Cook for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.

More Easy air Fryer Recipes

  • Simple air fryer scallops
  • Fish nuggets in air fryer
  • Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts
  • Air fryer tuna steaks
  • Blackened salmon in air fryer
  • Air fryer halibut
  • Two ingredients Air fryer Mahi Mahi
  • Easy air fryer shrimp
  • Air fryer salmon cakes
  • Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
  • Air Fryer Swordfish Steaks Recipe

Please, do not forget tosubscribeand follow us onInstagramandPinterest. for more healthy air fryer recipes and ideas. Thank you for reading Enjoy Clean Eating!

Bacon Wrapped Scallops Air Fryer Recipe (6)

Bacon Wrapped Scallops Air Fryer Recipe

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Bacon wrapped scallops air fryer are super simple to make with no complex preparation, and you can have them ready in 10 minutes. Bite-sized and delicious, they’re just the thing if you’re looking for easy scallop appetizer recipes!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound sea scallops
  • 8-9 slices of uncured bacon

Tools

Instructions

    1. Preheat the air fryer to 370ºF degrees for 5 minutes.
    2. Pat the sea scallops dry with paper towels, cut the bacon in half lengthwise and wrap each scallop with a half piece of bacon. Repeat until all the scallops are wrapped in bacon.
    3. Place in the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes, turning halfway through or until scallops are tender and opaque and the bacon is cooked through. The scallops should reach an internal temperature of 130ºF degrees.
    4. Remove from the basket and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Notes

  • This recipe is not intended to be made with thick bacon because it will take longer to cook. Or you’ll need to partially cook the bacon to 400F for 4 minutes (only if using thick bacon) and wait for it to cool down before wrapping.
  • Use a toothpick to secure the bacon in place if you want
  • Patting the scallops dry is crucial because the heat will conduct properly in the air fryer. Do this using sturdy paper towels, not ones that might disintegrate and stick to the scallops.
  • Different air fryer models will yield different results and cooking times. When cooking bacon wrapped scallops, ensure that they reach an internal temperature of 130°F before serving
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 5
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 247Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 600mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 32g

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated​, only the sodium in the other ingredients​ is calculated.

More Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Recipes

AIR FRYER BACON WRAPPED ASPARAGUS

AIR FRYER BACON WRAPPED BRUSSEL SPROUTS

Bacon Wrapped Scallops Air Fryer Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you know when scallops are done in an air fryer? ›

The scallops may not brown in the air fryer, so don't wait for a golden crust to tell you they're ready. Be sure to cook the scallops to an internal temperature of 120°F using an instant-read thermometer. This should take about 6 minutes or so, depending on the thickness of each scallop.

Should bacon wrapped scallops be cooked from frozen? ›

Do not thaw. Cook from frozen. Simple Preparation Instructions: For best taste and texture, bake your bacon wrapped scallops.

Is it better to cook scallops in butter or oil? ›

Scallops have a mild, sweet flavor with a buttery, tender, soft texture. Are scallops healthy? Scallops are low-fat and high in protein with lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. While I recommend cooking them in butter for the best sear, you can cook them in vegetable, canola or grapeseed oil if preferred.

How to cook bacon wrapped scallops from Costco? ›

The best method for cooking frozen bacon-wrapped scallops is to bake them. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and arrange the frozen scallops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the scallops are cooked through.

What is the best temperature for scallops? ›

After searing a few batches, we determined that scallops are perfectly cooked when their centers reach 115 degrees. Because scallops are so small and are usually cooked over high heat, carryover cooking will add another 10 to 15 degrees, for an ideal final temperature of 125 to 130 degrees.

What does a perfectly cooked scallop look like? ›

If you're not sure if the scallops are done, slice one in half to check: The flesh near the top and bottom edges should look opaque, but there should still be a faintly translucent strip in the middle. Remove the seared scallops from the pan and set them on your serving plate.

What is the secret to perfect scallops? ›

You want a hot skillet when pan-searing scallops.

If you pat the scallops dry, dust them with flour, and use a hot pan, you will guarantee a beautiful golden brown sear.

Why do you soak scallops in milk before cooking? ›

Scallops, like many other types of seafood, can have a mild fishy odor that some people find off-putting. Soaking scallops in milk before cooking can help alleviate this odor. Milk can neutralize or mask the fishy smell, resulting in a milder scent.

Should you rinse scallops before cooking? ›

Give your scallops a quick rinse to remove any grit, then thoroughly pat dry with a few paper towels, as excess moisture will inhibit searing. For added insurance, you can dry your scallops in the fridge for an hour or two before cooking.

Is it better to sear or bake scallops? ›

Because sea scallops have a chewier texture, searing them in a hot skillet is the simplest, most effective cooking method to achieving a crisp exterior and tender, just-firm texture within. Basting the scallops with butter helps finish cooking them and enhances browning, too.

How do you know when scallops are fully cooked? ›

Scallops are quick-cooking shellfish, so it's key not to overcook them or they'll dry out. Generally, sea scallops take between 3 and 5 minutes to cook. How to know when scallops are done cooking? They'll be golden brown on both sides, just-firm at the edges and opaque and succulent in the center.

How can you tell if scallops are undercooked? ›

A surefire sign that your scallops are undercooked is the color. They tend to look milky white in hue if you haven't successfully seared them off. Another sign is that they are difficult to cut through (via Answer Pantry). Overcooking scallops makes them difficult to eat, becoming rubbery and difficult to chew.

What color are scallops when they're done? ›

If they're good scallops, they'll cook up completely opaque white; they won't be translucent. And that's also a really good way to tell about a lot of seafood, whether it's been soaked in chemicals or not — like shrimp should be cooked up completely opaque white.

How do you know when to flip scallops? ›

Cook the scallops undisturbed for 2 minutes. If the scallop doesn't release easily from the pan, let it cook for another few seconds until it does. Use tongs to flip the scallops over. Cook the scallops for another 2 to 3 minutes.

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