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Why You’ll Love My Recipe

These Bacon Wrapped Scallops look fancy, taste incredible, and couldn’t be easier to make – the ultimate recipe combination! Perfect as a holiday appetizer or a special-occasion main, they come together with simple, savory flavors. And naturally, I kept things Ukrainian-style: plenty of salted butter, fresh garlic, and a little parsley for color and freshness!

If seafood appetizers are your thing, be sure to try my Classic Shrimp Cocktail Recipe with The BEST Homemade Cocktail Sauce Recipe or my Shrimp Dip. You really can’t go wrong with either!

Karlynn’s Recipe Notes

Skill Level: This recipe is wonderfully easy to make, and it’s a great choice if you’re new to preparing seafood appetizers!
Total Time: From start to finish, these Bacon Wrapped Scallops come together in about 25 minutes.
Variations: Boost the flavor of your garlic butter sauce with extra seasonings like red pepper flakes and lemon zest, or try some fresh herbs like rosemary or chives. You can also mix in freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano for a salty, nutty finish. Serve your scallops with The BEST Buttery Garlic Mashed Potatoes, my Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bundles, or a bright Winter Citrus Avocado Salad for a full-on feast!
Tools For This Recipe: You will need toothpicks or small skewers, a medium-sized bowl, a microwave-safe dish, a small bowl for the garlic butter sauce, a pastry brush for coating the scallops, and a large baking sheet.

What You’ll Need for Ingredients

Scallops: There are two main types of scallops commonly used in cooking: sea scallops and bay scallops. Sea scallops are the large, premium scallops typically used for seared or bacon-wrapped dishes in restaurants. The scallops shown here are U10 scallops, meaning there are fewer than 10 per pound – nice, big scallops ideal for wrapping in bacon! While more affordable, bay scallops are too small and are usually used in chowders or seafood pasta dishes. This recipe calls specifically for sea scallops!

Bacon: Use your favorite bacon to wrap around the scallops! Regular-cut bacon works wonderfully, and it cooks evenly without overpowering the scallops. Karlynn’s Tip: Try flavored varieties like maple, applewood-smoked, or peppered bacon to add an extra layer of smoky, savory goodness.

Seasonings: Flaked sea salt, ground black pepper, and dried parsley flakes are a go-to seafood seasoning that enhances the scallops and adds a subtle pop of color! Karlynn’s Tip: Finish with a light sprinkle of flaky salt after baking to really make the scallops shine!

Butter: Salted butter forms the base of the delicious garlic butter sauce, adding richness and enhancing the natural sweetness of the scallops.

Minced Garlic: It wouldn’t be garlic butter without garlic! Fresh minced garlic adds a bold, savory flavor that perfectly complements both the bacon and the scallops. Karlynn’s Tip: Fresh garlic brings out the strongest taste, but jarred garlic works well if that’s what you have on hand!

How To Make Bacon Wrapped Scallops

This is a quick overview of the recipe. The full list of ingredients & complete step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.

Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Pat the scallops dry, blotting as much moisture as possible.
Place the bacon on a microwave-safe plate and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the fat starts to cook out.
Wrap each scallop in bacon, using one slice per large scallop, or half a piece for smaller ones.
Secure the bacon around each scallop with a toothpick or bamboo skewer pushed through the middle.
Arrange the scallops on a large baking sheet with space between them.
Combine the sauce ingredients, brush it on top of each scallop, and leave some minced garlic on top.
Sprinkle with cracked pepper and a bit of sea salt, then bake for 15-17 minutes, depending on the size of the scallops. You’ll know they’re ready when they reach a safe internal temperature of 125-130°F.
Remove and serve with the toothpick still inserted in each scallop, letting each person remove it themselves.

close up pieces of Bacon Wrapped Scallops in small bamboo skewer

Karlynn’s Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Choose the Freshest Scallops Possible: Fresh scallops should have a clean, slightly sweet, and fresh smell – never fishy! Interestingly, scallops smell almost the same raw as they do when cooked, so trust your nose when selecting them at the store or seafood counter.
Soak Your Skewers Before Baking: If you’re using wooden skewers or toothpicks, soak them in boiling water before assembling your scallops! Hot water helps the wood absorb moisture faster, preventing it from burning in the oven. Fun fact: Mr. Magpie’s aquarium buddies taught us that hobbyists actually boil driftwood to waterlog it so it sinks to the bottom of the fish tank, and the same principle works perfectly in the kitchen!
Cook Scallops by Temperature, Not Appearance: Seafood can cook quickly, so using an instant-read thermometer is the best way to avoid overcooking! Scallops are generally considered perfectly cooked at 125-130°F. Avoid judging doneness by how opaque the scallops look, which often requires cutting into them and can be misleading. Even professional chefs rely on temperature for consistency. When in doubt, prioritize food safety, and give those $30 scallops the careful treatment they deserve!

Storage Instructions

Bacon Wrapped Scallops are best enjoyed fresh for the perfect texture, but leftovers can still make a delicious next-day appetizer or light meal!

Refrigerator: Store any leftover scallops in an airtight container once completely cooled for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven at a low temperature or in a skillet over medium-low heat until just warmed through. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the scallops rubbery!

Freezer: Cooked scallops can be frozen, though their texture may change slightly after thawing. For the best results, place your cooled scallops in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or an airtight bag and freeze for up to 3 months, following USDA food safety guidelines. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.

More Delicious Fish & Seafood Recipes

Hooked on seafood? Here are a few reader-favorite Fish & Seafood Recipes to add to your menu next:

Simple, tangy, and packed with fresh ingredients, Pickled Shrimp are the perfect make-ahead appetizer for gatherings or snacking!
This fork-tender Air Fryer Salmon is an easy weeknight dinner you’ll come back to again and again.
Hearty, rich, and loaded with seafood flavor, Fish Stew is a cozy dish that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together easily at home.

And just like that, you’ve got restaurant-quality Bacon Wrapped Scallops right from your own kitchen! Simple, elegant, and packed with flavor, this seafood favourite is perfect for entertaining or treating yourself to something special.

Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out in the comments below. I always love hearing about your kitchen adventures!

Happy Cooking!

Karlynn