These Bacon Wrapped Scallops (Oven + Grill) are so versatile that you can serve them as an easy and delicious appetizer or as part of a romantic dinner for two! Follow along as we show you how to make them on the grill or in the oven – either way is delicious!
Bacon Wrapped Scallops (Oven + Grill)
As you guys know, I am a huge fan of seafood (See: Butter Poached Lobster + Seafood Fettuccine), so when I need to make a really simple and easy appetizer, this is usually the first thing that comes to mind. It is easy to prep ahead of time (just wrap the scallops up and place them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them), everyone always loves them and they just happen to be Whole30 + Paleo + Dairy-Free (if you use olive oil instead of ghee)! Plus, they can be made on the grill or pop them in the oven!
What You Will Need
- scallops – we love to use the largest fresh scallops that we can find, they are just easier to wrap and everyone loves a bigger scallop!
- bacon – just grab your favorite from your local grocery store, for a Whole30 option we love Applegate!
- kosher salt & ground pepper – keeping the seasoning simple.
- ghee, butter, or olive oil – use the one that works best for you!
- toothpicks – these are needed to hold the bacon in place around the scallops.
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Scallops (In The Oven)
Preheat the oven by turning the broiler to HIGH. Prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet and then place a wire rack on top of it. Pat the scallops dry with clean paper towels.
Then trim the bacon, as necessary, to fit your scallops (see notes below) and prep a small dish of kosher salt & ground pepper.
Wrap a strip of bacon around each scallop, securing with a soaked toothpick. Repeat with the remaining scallops. Then season with some salt and pepper. Place the bacon-wrapped scallops on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Place the baking sheet under the broiler (one spot below the top in the oven) for 10 minutes, pulling out half-way through to brush with melted ghee, butter, or olive oil. Then move tray up to directly under the broiler for 2 minutes, to allow the tops to brown. Remove from oven, brush with additional melted ghee, and then serve immediately.
How to Cook Bacon Wrapped Scallops on the Grill
- Ensure your grates are clean and bring grill to medium-high heat.
- Trim bacon, as necessary, to fit scallops (see notes below).
- Wrap bacon around scallop, securing with a soaked toothpick. Repeat with remaining scallops.
- Brush scallops, both sides, with melted ghee.
- Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.
- Cook scallops over direct heat, 3-5 minutes per side (for a Total of 6-10 minutes).
- Remove from grill and serve immediately, brushing with additional ghee if desired.
How Do You Know When Scallops Are Cooked
You know they are cooked when they are no longer translucent and they look like they are “cracking” on top! Try not to overcook them or they will start to become tough.
What Should I Serve With Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
We actually love serving these little beauties with a variety of appetizers for a holiday dinner, like Thanksgiving or Christmas. We love pairing them a Charcuterie Board, a Goat Cheese Ball, or some cut-up veggies and Veggie Dip! When we aren’t making them as an appetizer we are enjoying them as a shocking quick and easy dinner option. Perfect to have with some Grilled Steaks or a little Crab Pasta Salad. Or if you really want to go for all the seafood you can make some Baked Crab Legs!
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Bacon Wrapped Scallops (Oven + Grill)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 scallops 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven or Grill
- Cuisine: American
Description
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops are easy enough to be an appetizer and delicious enough to be a main course! Cook in the oven or on the grill! Whole30 + Paleo!
Ingredients
- 12 large scallops, patted dry
- 12 pieces bacon (*see notes)
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons ghee or butter, melted (use olive oil to make dairy-free)
- 12 toothpicks (soak in water 30 minutes prior)
Instructions
Oven:
- Turn broiler to HIGH. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and then place a wire rack on top of it.
- Spray the wire rack with olive oil or other non-stick spray.
- Trim bacon, as necessary, to fit scallops (see notes below).
- Wrap bacon around scallop, securing with a soaked toothpick. Repeat with remaining scallops.
- Place scallops on wire rack and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
- Place under broiler (one spot below the top) for 10 minutes, pulling out half way through to brush with melted ghee.
- Then move tray up to directly under the broiler for 2 minutes, or until bacon is fully cooked and the tops of the scallops are slightly brown.
- Remove from oven, brush with additional melted ghee, and then serve immediately.
Grill
- Ensure your grill grates are clean and bring grill to medium-high heat.
- Trim bacon, as necessary, to fit scallops (see notes below).
- Wrap bacon around each scallop, securing with a soaked toothpick. Repeat with remaining scallops.
- Brush scallops, both sides, with melted ghee.
- Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.
- Cook scallops over direct heat, 3-5 minutes per side (for a total of 6-10 minutes).
- Remove from grill and serve immediately, brushing with additional ghee if desired.
Notes
- Bacon: I would recommend using “regular” cut bacon (and NOT thick-cut bacon). Depending on how wide your bacon is and how big your scallops are, you may need to trim your bacon. Cut it lengthwise in half if your scallops are not as thick or cut off an inch or two off the end, if the bacon is simply too long.
- Whole30/paleo: check your bacon ingredients – we love this one!
- Prep Ahead: scallops can be wrapped with bacon ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until it is time to cook them.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Scallop
- Calories: 142
- Sugar: 0.9 g
- Sodium: 386.3 mg
- Fat: 13.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 23.6 mg
Keywords: bacon wrapped scallops, bacon wrapped scallops on the grill, bacon wrapped scallop in the oven
Tim J Dunn says
R u sure bacon cools enough at just 12 min. No one likes soggy bacon. What if u were to precook the bacon a bit?
Erin says
Hi Tim, I have tested the recipe multiple times and the bacon has always cooked through! Like I say in the recipe card, I wouldn’t use thick-cut bacon for this recipe for that specific reason though. A few things you can do though if you are at all concerned – 1) you can pre-cook your bacon a bit in the microwave or even in the oven 2) just keep an eye on your bacon and if you need to extend the cooking time by a few minutes directly under the broiler, do that as needed! Hope that helps! I agree, no one likes soggy bacon 🙂