This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please visit the disclosures and privacy policy page.
Feb 15, 2021

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops in the Air Fryer

Bacon and scallops are such a delicious combination. The smoky bacon and the sweet scallops go so well together. 

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops in the Air Fryer on plates




These little bacon and scallop packages are delicious as a simple appetizer or main course. They are also wonderful for topping a salad for lunch or dinner. 

Bacon and scallops are often paired together as an appetizer. Typically they are baked or broiled with delicious results. 

For these, I decided to try making them in the air fryer. 

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops on skewers





These air fryer bacon-wrapped scallops turned out delicious and were ready in just about 15 minutes once they were wrapped and skewered. The scallops were cooked to just the right tenderness and the bacon was crisp tender. 

Plus, everything is better with bacon, right?

Tips for making air fryer bacon-wrapped scallops:


Wrap two scallops in one slice of bacon. This way, the scallops will not be overcooked before the bacon is fully cooked. 

If you can, find untreated "dry" scallops, which don't have any additives. I actually like to buy the frozen scallops from Trader Joe's. The package lists just one ingredient, "sea scallops." 

Use 6 inch skewers to hold the bacon and scallops together, and place two scallop "packages" onto one skewer. This way, you can stack the skewers on top of each other in the air fryer and cook all of them at the same time. 

Halfway through the cooking time, remove the air fryer basket from the appliance and reverse the order of the skewers, placing the bottom ones on top and vice versa for even cooking. 

Be sure not to use thick cut bacon, which will take much longer to cook. 

Partially cook the bacon between layers of paper towels in the microwave before wrapping the scallops and cooking them in the air fryer. 

Microwaved bacon on layers of paper towels





If you'd rather wrap each scallop individually, cut each slice of bacon in half and stack four wrapped scallops on each skewer. 

Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator and reheated in a 300 degree oven or toaster oven for about 5 minutes. 


Recipe variations:


Brush the scallops with maple syrup, soy sauce, or honey sriracha sauce before wrapping them in the bacon.

Toss the scallops in finely minced garlic along with the salt and pepper. 

Serve these with a soy and vinegar dipping sauce or a sweet hoisin sauce. 

Serve these over a spinach salad or even mashed potatoes. 

Equipment needed:


Of course, you will need an air fryer. Mine is the Philips, which I love because it does not require preheating. 

You will also need 6 six-inch skewers. You can use either metal or wooden skewers. Wooden skewers are easier to handle when you have to restack the skewers in the middle of cooking. 


More delicious scallop recipes:


Scallops are a favorite of mine, so much so that I have lots of tasty recipes for making them, including:



Welcome to Multicooker Monday, where we share recipes using small kitchen appliances. We are a great resource for recipes using your Instant Pot, slow cooker, air fryer, toaster oven, or sous vide machine. 



Bacon-Wrapped Scallops in the Air Fryer on a plate






Bacon-Wrapped Scallops in the Air Fryer Recipe

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops in the Air Fryer Recipe
Yield: 8 servings
Author: Karen's Kitchen Stories
Bacon and scallops are such a delicious combination. The smoky bacon and the sweet scallops go so well together.

Ingredients

  • 12 slices bacon
  • 24 large sea scallops
  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Line a large dinner plate with 4 layers of paper towels and top with 6 slices of bacon in a single layer. Top the bacon with 4 more layers of paper towels and then arrange 6 more slices of bacon on top. Top the last layer of bacon with two layers of paper towel. Top with a second plate. 
  2. Microwave for about 5 minutes, until the fat begins to render. 
  3. Meanwhile, pat the scallops dry and toss them with the olive oil and the salt and pepper. 
  4. Place two scallops side by side, flat side up, and wrap the two together with bacon. Run a 6 inch skewer through the bacon and scallops and trim any excess bacon. Repeat with the rest of the scallops and bacon, placing two scallop bundles on each skewer. 
  5. Layer 3 of the skewers on the bottom of the air fryer basket parallel to each other. Line up the other 3 skewers on top of the bottom layer, perpendicular to the layer on the bottom. 
  6. Air fry the bacon wrapped scallops for 16 minutes, rotating the top and bottom layers halfway through. The scallops should be opaque and the bacon should be tender crisp. 
  7. Serve immediately. 

Calories

153.93

Fat (grams)

9.76

Sat. Fat (grams)

2.62

Carbs (grams)

2.42

Fiber (grams)

0.01

Net carbs

2.42

Sugar (grams)

0.00

Protein (grams)

13.87

Sodium (milligrams)

582.42

Cholesterol (grams)

33.07
air fryer, scallops, bacon
appetizers, seafood
American
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @karenskitchenstories.com on instagram and hashtag it #karenskitchenstories


This recipe was adapted from Air Fryer Perfection. This book is loaded with amazing air fryer recipes. 

Would you like to comment?

  1. YUM!!! What a great way to do scallops. I can't wait to give this a try.

    ReplyDelete
  2. They look scrumptious. I am actually featuring your recipe for chicken nuggets today. They turned out great!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. They look great! This can be a great party food too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Always happy to find new recipes for the air-fryer, I do have the same one.... Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yum! Two of my favorite things together. I like the idea of cooking the bacon partially ahead of time. I don't have an air fryer, but it might be interesting to try it in the oven. Maybe stacking them prevents the scallops from overcooking too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yummmm I haven't had scallops in too long - love how quick and easy (and delicious) these little bites are!

    ReplyDelete

I would love to hear from you! If you comment anonymously, be sure to leave your name in your comment.