Air-Fried Bacon-Wrapped Scallops: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

Bacon-wrapped scallops are a delicious and elegant dish that can be served as an appetizer or main course. This simple recipe only requires a few ingredients and can be made in an air fryer in less than 15 minutes, making it a perfect choice for a quick weeknight meal or a fancy dinner party. The air fryer gives the scallops a great texture and cooks the bacon to perfection, resulting in a crispy and juicy dish that is sure to impress your guests.

Choosing the right scallops

When preparing the scallops, make sure to remove any side muscles and pat them dry with a paper towel to get rid of excess moisture. This is an important step to ensure your scallops are not rubbery. You can also season the scallops with black pepper, Old Bay seasoning, or garlic powder to enhance their flavour.

For the best results, choose scallops that are evenly sized and try to cook them within a couple of days of purchasing or thawing. With the right scallops and some crispy bacon, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious appetizer or main course!

Preparing the bacon

Firstly, cut the bacon strips in half. This ensures that you have the right amount of bacon per scallop and prevents the ends of the bacon from being tucked under another layer, which can affect cooking. Place the bacon in the air fryer and partially cook it for around 3 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, turning it halfway. This step is important as it helps to get the bacon crispy and prevents it from becoming soggy. Once done, remove the bacon and drain the excess grease by placing it on a paper towel-lined plate.

Next, prepare the scallops by removing any side muscles or tendons. This is important as these parts can be tough and chewy. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels to remove any moisture. This step is crucial, as any excess moisture can make the scallops rubbery.

Now, it's time to wrap the scallops with the partially cooked bacon. Take each scallop and wrap it with half a slice of bacon. Secure the bacon in place with a toothpick. This ensures that the bacon stays put while cooking. Repeat this step until all your scallops are wrapped.

At this point, you can season the bacon-wrapped scallops. Lightly spray or brush them with olive oil to help with browning and crisping. Then, season with black pepper and any other desired seasonings or spices, such as Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, or smoked paprika. You can also add a touch of sweetness with a drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of brown sugar.

Finally, arrange the bacon-wrapped scallops in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they have some space around them for even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer to ensure the bacon crisps up nicely. Now, they are ready to be air-fried along with the scallops!

Wrapping the scallops

To make bacon-wrapped scallops in an air fryer, you'll need to start by preparing the scallops and bacon. First, rinse and pat your scallops dry with a paper towel. If you're using frozen scallops, make sure they are completely defrosted before cooking. Remove any side muscles from the scallops, as these can be tough and chewy.

Next, cut your bacon strips in half and place them in the air fryer. Cook the bacon for around 3 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, turning it halfway. This will only partially cook the bacon, which is what you want. Once done, remove the bacon from the air fryer and drain it on a paper towel-lined plate until it's cool enough to handle.

Now it's time to wrap the scallops. Take each scallop and wrap it with a half slice of bacon. You can use a toothpick to secure the bacon in place. If you have jumbo scallops, you might need a whole slice of bacon for each.

Once all your scallops are wrapped, place them in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. Make sure there is a little space between each scallop to ensure even cooking. Give the scallops a light spray with olive oil or avocado oil and season them with black pepper and any other seasonings of your choice.

Air fry the scallops for around 8 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, turning them halfway. The scallops are done when they are tender and opaque, and the bacon is fully cooked and crisp.

Cooking the scallops

Now that you have gathered and prepared your ingredients, it is time to cook your scallops!

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. You can also prepare the air fryer basket with non-stick spray, olive oil spray, or avocado oil spray to avoid sticking.

Next, cut the bacon strips in half and place them in the air fryer basket. Air fry the bacon for around 3 minutes at 400°F. The bacon should only be partially cooked, as it will finish cooking with the scallops. Once done, remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel to absorb any excess grease and let it cool.

Then, take your scallops and remove any side muscles or tendons. It is important to pat the scallops dry with a paper towel to remove any moisture. Wrap each scallop with a half slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick. If you are using jumbo scallops, you may need a whole slice of bacon for each.

After that, you can lightly spray olive oil over the bacon-wrapped scallops and season them with black pepper, Old Bay seasoning, or any other seasonings of your choice.

Finally, place the bacon-wrapped scallops in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry them for about 8 minutes at 400°F, turning them halfway through. The scallops are done when they are tender and opaque, and the bacon is fully cooked and crisp.

Note that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model and the size of your scallops, so adjust the timing accordingly.

Your bacon-wrapped scallops are now ready to be served! Enjoy the juicy and tender scallops with the crisp, golden bacon!

Serving suggestions

These bacon-wrapped scallops can be served as an appetiser or a main course. They can be served on a bed of mixed greens for a special occasion salad, or with a side of cocktail sauce or your favourite dip.

For a full meal, serve with a side of cauliflower puree, sautéed spinach with garlic and oil, or broccoli and orzo.

If you're looking for other easy air fryer appetiser recipes, you could try fried pickles, two ways—battered or extra crunchy. Air fryer meatballs are another great option, and can also be served as a main dish.

Frequently asked questions