This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
These Air Fryer bacon wrapped scallops are such a treat! They are made with just 4 ingredients and come together in less than 10 minutes- just like my Air Fryer bacon wrapped shrimp!
If you love seafood or are just looking for an easy appetizer for your next get-together, this one’s the perfect recipe to try out.
This recipe has to be one of the best ways to cook scallops. While I love making my Air Fryer scallops as a light lunch, these bacon wrapped scallops are perfect to make and serve as an elegant appetizer for when you’re hosting.
Team them up with some Air Fryer pigs in a blanket, Air Fryer pizza rolls and any other snacks or appetizers of your choice.
Quick Look At This Recipe
✨ Flavor: Tender, juicy and spicy- just like Air Fryer bacon wrapped smokies.
⏱️ Prep time: 3 minutes.
🔥 Cook time: 8 minutes.
⏲️ Total time: 11 minutes.
👥 Servings: 4 servings.
🥄 Tools: Air Fryer + toothpicks.
❄️ Freezer friendly: Yes, but tastes best made fresh.
👩🏻🍳 Tip: Keep an eye on the Air Fryer basket at the 8 minute mark to check if the scallops are done. You don’t want to overcook them, as they can turn rubbery.
SUMMARIZE AND SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The contrast between the crispy, salty bacon and the tender, juicy scallops is unbeatable. Air frying is the best way to do this!
- These air fried bacon wrapped scallops come together in less than 15 minutes (just like my Air Fryer bacon wrapped dates), which makes them the perfect easy appetizer for any party.
- No need to turn on the stove- everything comes together in the Air Fryer, which means less mess to clean up afterwards!
Recipe Ingredients
- Scallops: Large and freshly cleaned sea scallops are the hero ingredient here! Make sure they’re patted dry.
- Bacon: Center cut bacon works best as it’s the right thickness for wrapping. You can use leftovers to make some Air Fryer twisted bacon.
- Seasonings: I used a mix of black pepper and some Old Bay seasoning for that bit of heat. You can try using some of my homemade BBQ rub too.
- Olive oil spray: To crisp up the bacon.
See recipe card for quantities.
Variations
- For a bit of extra flavor, you can brush the bacon wrapped scallops with maple syrup or balsamic reduction before the final few minutes of cooking.
- You can also try different seasoning blends of your choice for different flavor variations. I love using my homemade poultry mix and homemade taco seasoning sometimes.
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Start by preheating your Air Fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes and greasing the basket with nonstick spray. Partially cook the bacon in the Air Fryer for 3 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove and let it cool on a paper towel.
- Remove the side muscle from the scallops and pat them dry. Wrap each scallop with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Lightly spray the scallops with olive oil spray and season with your choice of seasonings.
- Arrange the bacon wrapped scallops in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket.
- Cook for 8 minutes, turning halfway, until the scallops are tender and opaque and the bacon is crispy.
Serving Ideas & Suggestions
You can enjoy these air fried bacon wrapped scallops on their own, or team them up with a dipping sauce like hot honey, garlic butter or even just some Yum Yum sauce.
I personally love teaming them up with my Air Fryer bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts, Air Fryer jalapeno poppers, Air Fryer onion rings and Air Fryer bacon wrapped cream cheese crackers.
And of course, you can always pair them with a classic potato side like Cheesy Air Fryer scalloped potatoes, a bread side like Air Fryer garlic knots or just a fresh salad if you want to keep it low carb.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Pat the scallops dry to remove all moisture before cooking them to ensure they get a nice sear.
- Don’t overcrowd the Air Fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to make sure the air can circulate freely. I follow this whenever I’m making any bacon-wrapped appetizers like my Air Fryer bacon wrapped avocado and even my Air Fryer bacon wrapped chicken bites.
- To make cleanup easier, you can line the Air Fryer basket with parchment paper or place a liner inside the basket to catch any of the bacon grease. I do this when I make my Air Fryer bacon wrapped hot dogs and even just my Air Fryer bacon.
- As always, avoid overcrowding the Air Fryer basket, especially if you want the bacon to get crispy.
- Remember that scallops, when air fried, may not have that golden brown color that skillet-cooked scallops usually have, and that’s okay.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, just make sure they are completely thawed and pat dry before you use them for the recipe.
Yes, you can! Simply wrap the scallops in the bacon, secure with toothpicks and keep them refrigerated (for up to 2 days) until you’re ready to cook.
You can check their internal temperature using a meat thermometer. If it reads 120 degrees, the scallops are done and ready to be served.
More Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Appetizers
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR ⭐️ RATING in the COMMENTS 📝 SECTION below.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 16 sea scallops, large, freshly cleaned and peeled
- 8 slices bacon, center cut
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, spray
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. Prepare the air fryer basket with nonstick spray.
- Partially cook the bacon in the air fryer for 3 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove and let cool on a paper towel.
- Prepare the scallops by removing the side muscle and patting them dry. Wrap each scallop with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Lightly spray the scallops with olive oil and season with black pepper and Old Bay seasoning.
- Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 8 minutes, turning halfway, until the scallops are tender and opaque, and the bacon is crispy.
- Serve hot and enjoy the combination of juicy scallops with crispy bacon.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can season the scallops with garlic powder.
- Using smaller bay scallops is an option, but you’ll want to cook those in a large skillet and then maybe mix with chopped bacon. They’re too small to cook in the air fryer because they’ll overcook quickly.
- Squeeze a tad bit of lemon juice over the top for best results. This citrus flavor gives such a great boost of flavor! You can use lime juice as well.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I always have to modify your instructions since I use a tray type air fryer, not a basket type and a good thing with my type is that you don’t have to turn the items over since they sit on an open tray in the middle of the over so heat surrounds them constantly. But for this recipe, instead of patting the scallops completely dry, I would leave them moist and sprinkle them with pepper and Old Bay before wrapping with the bacon. Seems a waste to have to spray oil on BACON to cook it. Putting the seasoning on the scallop first means it will stay on and not fall off if you don’t spray it. Just my thoughts, works for me.
Yes, so good of you to share. Every air fryer will cook a little differently, so even if you had a basket air fryer you might have to adjust a little. So glad you know how to adjust these recipes to work for you.