Scallops are one of the healthiest foods containing many proteins and vitamins. They’re versatile and go well with almost any food.
Bacon-wrapped scallops in the air fryers are an ideal seafood snack and appetizer. It’s a simple yet delicious meal that everyone enjoys. Once you try them out with the air-fryer, you won’t switch to any other appliance.
This recipe is quick and easy to prepare, making it an ideal weekday meal.
Let’s get to the recipe!
Ingredients
Air-fried bacon-wrapped scallops require 10 minutes of cooking using only a few ingredients. Apart from that, air fryers offer easy cleanup with no leftover oil.
Olive oil or non-stick cooking spray: Use olive oil to brush the air fryer basket and prepare it for cooking.
Bacon: Slightly cook the bacon slices in the air fryer before wrapping them around the scallops. This allows the bacon to crisp up without overcooking. You can buy precooked bacon from the store, but the flavor may not be the same.
Scallops: Huge scallops are suitable for this recipe. Bay scallops are very small and soft, slowing the cooking process. They’re difficult to thread on a skewer.
Syrup: Use maple syrup to coat the scallops. It promotes caramelization and enhances the sweetness. Maple syrup can be replaced with brown sugar.
If you leave these scallops as is, they’ll be good but get dry while cooking. I prefer to season and add sauce to mine.
Other: Add parmesan cheese, bbq red sauce, garlic powder, oregano, and black pepper.
Traditional: Add a squeeze of lemon juice and some old bay seasoning.
How to Make Scallops With Bacon in an Air Fryer?
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F for 3 minutes. Spritz the air fryer basket with olive oil or non-sticking cooking spray.
- Cook bacon for 3 minutes, flipping halfway through. Set aside and wipe it with a paper towel.
- Remove any side muscles from the scallops before cooking. Use a paper towel to blot dry the scallops and season them.
- Gently wrap the bacon slice around the scallop and use a toothpick or skewer to secure them.
- Put the scallops wrapped in bacon in a single layer in the air fryer’s basket. Lightly coat them with maple syrup.
- Sprinkle a pinch of black pepper and old bay seasoning on the scallops wrapped in bacon.
- Cook the bacon-wrapped scallops for 5 minutes or until the bacon turns crisp and the scallop becomes soft and tender.
- Serve warm.
Gently brush it with sriracha mayo and sprinkle it with black pepper or drizzle soy sauce to enjoy them with your friends & family.
Here’s a detailed video on how to cook bacon-wrapped scallops in the air fryer:
Tips & Tricks For Best Results
- Garlic butter sauce is a good addition to the recipe. It tastes amazing with bacon-wrapped scallops. You can use bay scallops as well. You’ll need to cook them in a big skillet and stir in the diced bacon.
- Add lime juice on top of the scallops to enhance the tangy flavor. Citrus flavors are beneficial as they work as antioxidants for the body, which makes it a healthy variation.
- Choose scallops that are uniform in size and have a firm, fragrant texture. A small scallop requires half a piece of bacon, whereas giant ones require an entire piece.
- The most convenient thing about bacon-wrapped scallops is that you can make them ahead of time and refrigerate them for 24 hours. However, allow the bacon to cool before wrapping it around the scallops if you’re preparing them in advance.
- Lemon herb sauce is great for giving a zing to each bite.
Nutritional Information
A single serving of bacon-wrapped scallops contains around 120 calories. These are further divided into the following amounts of nutrients:
| Nutrients | Intake (mg/g) |
| Carbohydrates | 4g |
| Protein | 5g |
| Fat | 9g |
| Cholesterol | 18mg |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Calcium | 5mg |
| Iron | 1mg |
FAQS
Can we add spices to this recipe?
You can add your favorite spices to enhance the flavor of the scallops.
You can use sriracha sauce, red pepper flakes, paprika, or chili. But keep a balance with some sweet sauce to avoid an extra-spicy taste that might harm your health. When preparing food for adults or children, keep the proper proportions in mind and any medical conditions.
Should we rinse the scallops before cooking?
Before cooking, cut off the side muscle and thoroughly clean the scallops.
To do that, rinse them with water, and pat them dry with a paper towel or a clean cloth. Scallops don’t have some harmful content that needs to be washed. A light rinse is enough for safe eating.
How long do bacon-wrapped scallops take to cook in an air fryer?
When wrapped in bacon, scallops take roughly 8 to 10 minutes to cook in an air fryer.
Frozen scallops wrapped in bacon take longer to cook than those kept at room temperature. They’re air-fried at 400F for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Frozen scallops require extra minutes to cook in an air fryer. Therefore, thawing can help cut down on cooking time. However, It’s advisable to defrost them overnight in the refrigerator.
How can you tell whether scallops are done?
Scallops are seared from all sides until opaque and golden brown.
Scallops shouldn’t be overcooked as it will make them tough and chewy. Thus a soft-to-touch texture with a rough margin will tell you they are done. Scallops are seared on all sides until opaque and golden brown.
What should we serve with scallops?
They pair well with the following:
- Pasta and rice
- Boiled vegetables such as peas, beans, carrots, and broccoli
- Baked sweet potatoes
Why do we soak scallops in milk?
Soaking scallops in milk will help you eliminate the fishy smell and give a soft texture with a mild flavor. To soak them, first, you need to rinse them in cold water, soak them in milk for an hour, and then give them a slight rinse.
Slightly rinse the scallops before cooking to eliminate grit. Washing is not advised in this case. Scallops may absorb water, become soggy, lose flavor, and cause difficulty while searing.
Pat dry with a paper towel and then follow the cooking procedure above.
How do we reheat scallops in the air fryer?
The air fryer is the ideal method for reheating the scallops.
Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. Air fry these bacon-wrapped scallops for 3 minutes to reheat them and get the desired doneness.
How do you compare a sea scallop and a bay scallop?
It’s very easy to distinguish between the two. Large sea scallops are significantly thicker and 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide. There are roughly 20 to 30 sea scallops per pound. They’re found in the sea and captured all year long.
On the other hand, smaller bay scallops have a diameter of only 1/2 inch. They’re found in chilly seas and bays.
What Should You Serve With Bacon-Wrapped Scallops?
You can serve the following side dishes with bacon-wrapped scallops.
- Scallops go well with salads like baby mixed greens or baby arugula.
- Serve with Cauliflower Puree.
- A side dish of sautéed spinach with garlic and oil would also be delicious.
- Broccoli and Orzo is another simple side dish that my entire family enjoys.
Reasons Why You Should Try Air Frying
The followings are the reason to try and love air fryers.
- Food comes out considerably crispier than in my oven.
- It only takes three minutes to warm and does not heat up the kitchen.
- It is less dangerous and healthier than deep frying, plus it does not smoke up the entire house.
- The air fryer has now taken the role of my oven on most weekdays and evenings, whether I’m making hard-boiled eggs, preparing a side dish, reheating leftovers, or cooking supper.
Final thoughts
To conclude, I’d say that;
- Scallops are highly nutritious and tasty. When wrapped in bacon, they provide an incredible treat for all seafood lovers. Air fryers cook them perfectly, creating crispy yet soft scallops.
- Use toothpicks and skewers to hold them together. It’s recommended to use large scallops to have a convenient cooking experience.
- Add lemon herb, citrus flavor, and your favorite spices, making the dish more delicious. The frozen dish takes 2 to 3 extra minutes to cook, while the thawed at room temperature are air-fried at 400°F for 3 minutes each, for the bacon and scallops separately.
- If you want a delicious side dish or an appetizer full of vitamins and antioxidants, you must try this recipe.