Cody Casey
Bacon-wrapped scallops are a delicious treat, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare them. You can cook them from frozen, or fresh, and they will turn out perfectly cooked every time. The air fryer gives the scallops a great texture, and the bacon cooks to crispy perfection! The whole process takes under 20 minutes, making it a perfect fast weeknight dish.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Frozen Bacon-Wrapped Scallops in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 375-400°F |
| Time | 8-14 minutes |
| Preparation | Partially cook bacon, wrap around scallops, secure with toothpicks, season, and air fry |
| Seasoning | Cajun, Old Bay, black pepper, olive oil, maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic powder, parsley, salt |
| Serving Suggestions | Mushroom risotto, fettuccine alfredo, breadsticks, green salad, creamy pasta, lemon wedges |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 2 days after cooking, freeze for up to 2 months |
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What You'll Learn
Partially cook the bacon
Partially cooking the bacon before wrapping it around the scallops is a crucial step in achieving the best results for this dish. This technique ensures that the bacon reaches the desired level of crispness without overcooking the scallops.
To partially cook the bacon, start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F. This temperature setting is crucial as it allows the bacon to cook sufficiently without becoming too crispy or hard. Place the bacon slices in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping and have enough space to cook evenly. Set the timer for 3 minutes, and turn the bacon halfway through to ensure even cooking on both sides.
Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the partially cooked bacon from the air fryer using tongs or heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands. Blot the bacon with a paper towel to absorb any excess grease and allow it to cool down slightly. This step is important as it makes the bacon easier to handle when wrapping it around the scallops.
The goal is to partially cook the bacon so that it remains pliable and easy to work with. By following these steps, you'll achieve the perfect balance of crispness and flexibility for the bacon, setting the foundation for juicy and tender scallops wrapped in a mouthwatering blanket of bacon.
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Prepare the scallops
To prepare the scallops, start by patting them dry with a paper towel and setting them aside on a plate. If you are using frozen scallops, you can thaw them before this step by leaving them in the refrigerator for a few hours or in a bowl of lukewarm water.
Next, season the scallops. You can use Cajun seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, or a combination of maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Brush each scallop with olive oil and sprinkle the seasoning of your choice onto both sides of the scallops.
Now it's time to wrap the scallops in bacon. Cut the bacon in half and wrap each scallop with half a slice of bacon, securing it in place with a toothpick. You can use a whole slice of bacon for each scallop if you prefer, but thicker cuts of bacon will take longer to cook, and the scallops may dry out.
Finally, spritz or brush the scallops lightly with olive oil or cooking spray. This step will help ensure that the scallops and bacon cook evenly and don't stick to the air fryer basket.
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$16.42 $18.32
Whisk up a sauce
While bacon-wrapped scallops are delicious on their own, you can whisk up a sauce to add a touch of sweetness or spice to your meal.
A simple sauce to accompany your bacon-wrapped scallops is a lemon butter sauce. You can make this by melting butter and squeezing fresh lemon or lemon zest into it. For a garlic butter sauce, simply add garlic to the mix.
If you're looking for something sweet, brush your scallops with maple syrup before cooking them. This will add a touch of sweetness and help the scallops caramelize. You can also use honey or a pinch of brown sugar if you don't have maple syrup.
For those who like their food spicy, sriracha sauce is a great option. You can add 1-2 tablespoons to your scallops for a tasty kick. Alternatively, sprinkle on some chili powder or red pepper flakes.
If you're feeling creative, you can experiment with different seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or your favorite spice blends. Get whisking and create a sauce that's perfect for your palate!
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Air fry the scallops
Air-frying is a great way to cook scallops wrapped in bacon. The process is simple and quick, and the results are delicious.
First, spritz your air fryer basket with oil and place the bacon inside. Air fry the bacon for 2-3 minutes at 400°F. This will only partially cook the bacon, which is what you want. The bacon should be slightly cooked but still pliable enough to wrap around the scallops. Remove the bacon from the air fryer and drain it on a paper towel-lined plate.
Next, prepare the scallops. Pat them dry, then brush each scallop with olive oil. Season the scallops with Cajun seasoning or Old Bay seasoning on both sides. Wrap each scallop with half a slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.
Now you are ready to air fry the scallops. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spritz them lightly with cooking spray. Cook at 375-400°F for 8-12 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time. The scallops are done when they are opaque and just cooked through, and the bacon is crispy. Be careful not to overcook the scallops, as they will become tough and chewy.
You can serve the scallops with a squeeze of fresh lemon, or with a delicious mushroom risotto, fettuccine alfredo, breadsticks, and a green salad. Enjoy!
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Reheat and serve
To reheat and serve frozen bacon-wrapped scallops, you have a few options. You can reheat them in an air fryer or on a stovetop.
Reheating in an Air Fryer
If you want to use an air fryer, set it to 400°F and cook the frozen scallops for 4-5 minutes to defrost and reheat.
Reheating on a Stovetop
Alternatively, you can reheat the scallops on a stovetop. Place them in a pan over medium heat for about two minutes to reheat.
Serving
Bacon-wrapped scallops can be served as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal. They pair well with creamy pasta, mushroom risotto, fettuccine alfredo, breadsticks, or a green salad. For a complete meal, serve them with a side dish and an entree. They can also be served with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 12-14 minutes to cook frozen bacon-wrapped scallops in an air fryer.
Set your air fryer to 400°F to cook frozen bacon-wrapped scallops.
You can defrost frozen bacon-wrapped scallops by thawing them in the refrigerator for a few hours or in a bowl of lukewarm water.
Air fry the bacon for 2-3 minutes at 400°F. The bacon should be slightly cooked but still pliable to wrap around the scallops.
Air fry the scallops for 8-10 minutes at 400°F.
