When it comes to date night at home, I’m always looking for recipes that feel fancy but don’t keep me stuck in the kitchen all evening. These maple bacon wrapped scallops have become my go-to dinner when I want to impress without the stress. The air fryer makes them so simple – just wrap, season, and let the machine do its magic.
I used to be nervous about cooking scallops, thinking they were too fussy or expensive to risk messing up. But wrapping them in bacon not only adds amazing flavor, it also helps keep the scallops perfectly tender while they cook. Plus, the touch of maple syrup brings just enough sweetness to make these feel extra special.
Now when friends ask for an easy but impressive dinner idea, this is the recipe I share. It takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish, and the results make it look like you spent hours in the kitchen. Trust me, once you try making these, they’ll become your new favorite too.
Why You’ll Love These Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- Quick preparation – From start to finish, these bacon wrapped scallops take just 25-35 minutes to make – perfect for when you want something fancy without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Simple ingredients – With just three main ingredients – scallops, bacon, and BBQ sauce – you can create a dish that tastes like it came from an upscale restaurant.
- Air fryer convenience – The air fryer makes these scallops foolproof, giving you perfectly cooked seafood and crispy bacon every time, without the mess of traditional frying.
- Restaurant-quality results – You’ll get tender, juicy scallops wrapped in crispy bacon with a sweet and savory glaze – all for a fraction of the restaurant price.
What Kind of Scallops Should I Use?
For this recipe, you’ll want to look for sea scallops, which are the larger variety – about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter – rather than the smaller bay scallops. When shopping, try to find “dry” scallops (sometimes labeled as chemical-free or untreated) instead of “wet” scallops that have been treated with phosphates. Dry scallops have a more natural, sweeter taste and will brown better when cooking. Fresh scallops should have a light tan or pinkish color and smell like the ocean – not fishy. If you can only find frozen scallops, that’s okay too – just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them really dry with paper towels before wrapping them in bacon.
Options for Substitutions
While this recipe is pretty straightforward, here are some helpful substitution tips if you need them:
- Sea scallops: Large sea scallops are really the star here and can’t be substituted while keeping the same recipe. Bay scallops are too small and won’t work well. If you can’t find fresh scallops, frozen ones work fine – just make sure to thaw and pat them very dry.
- Center cut bacon: Regular bacon works too, but avoid thick-cut bacon as it won’t crisp up as well in the air fryer. Turkey bacon can work, but it won’t give you the same rich flavor and might need less cooking time.
- BBQ sauce: Feel free to experiment with different BBQ sauce flavors – honey BBQ, spicy, or smoky varieties all work great. You could also try teriyaki sauce, maple syrup mixed with a bit of soy sauce, or even a honey-mustard blend for different flavor profiles.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Air Frying
The biggest challenge when cooking scallops is preventing them from becoming rubbery – the key is to pat them completely dry with paper towels before wrapping them in bacon, as excess moisture will steam rather than sear them.
When wrapping the scallops, avoid pulling the bacon too tight as it will shrink during cooking and could squeeze the scallop, leading to uneven cooking – instead, secure the bacon with a toothpick while leaving a little slack.
Temperature control is crucial in the air fryer, so resist the urge to overcrowd the basket, as this will create steam and prevent the bacon from crisping properly – work in batches if needed and arrange the scallops in a single layer with space between each one.
For the perfect finish, brush the BBQ sauce on during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking rather than at the beginning, as this prevents the sauce from burning while still allowing it to caramelize nicely.
What to Serve With Bacon Wrapped Scallops?
These bacon wrapped scallops make a fantastic appetizer on their own, but they can easily become a main dish when paired with the right sides. A simple risotto or creamy polenta creates a nice base that catches all the maple-bacon goodness. For a lighter option, try serving them over a bed of mixed greens with a light lemon vinaigrette, or alongside roasted asparagus that you can cook right in the air fryer after the scallops are done. If you’re keeping things casual, these scallops also taste great with a side of garlic butter rice or quinoa to soak up all those tasty juices.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These bacon wrapped scallops are best enjoyed right away while the bacon is crispy and the scallops are tender. If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just know that the bacon won’t stay as crispy once refrigerated.
Make Ahead: You can prep these ahead by wrapping the scallops in bacon and storing them uncooked in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Wait to add the BBQ sauce until right before cooking – this helps keep everything fresh and ensures the best texture when you’re ready to air fry.
Warm Up: To enjoy leftover scallops, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until they’re just heated through. Be careful not to overcook them, as scallops can get tough pretty quickly. The microwave works too, but the bacon won’t be as crispy.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Total Time | 25-35 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 800-900
- Protein: 60-70 g
- Fat: 50-60 g
- Carbohydrates: 20-30 g
Ingredients
- 8 slices center-cut bacon (I prefer Oscar Mayer for this recipe)
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 16 large sea scallops
Step 1: Prepare and Pre-Cook the Bacon
Begin by slicing each strip of bacon in half.
Place the bacon slices in your air fryer and partially cook them at 400°F for 3 minutes.
This step helps render some fat from the bacon, ensuring it crisps up nicely without overcooking the scallops.
Step 2: Prepare the Scallops
While the bacon is cooking, pat the scallops dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
This will help the bacon stick better and ensures even cooking.
Step 3: Wrap Scallops and Add Flavor
Wrap each scallop with a half slice of pre-cooked bacon and secure it with a toothpick.
Place the wrapped scallops in the air fryer, ensuring they’re not overcrowded (you can fit about 8 at a time in a standard basket-style air fryer).
Lightly brush each scallop with your favorite barbecue sauce, opting for a thinner variety, or simply spray with olive oil and add salt and pepper.
Step 4: Cook the Wrapped Scallops
Set the air fryer to cook at 400°F for 5 minutes.
After this initial cooking period, carefully turn the scallops and apply another light basting of barbecue sauce.
Cook for an additional 5 minutes at the same temperature.
The scallops are done when they are tender, opaque, and the bacon is fully cooked.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Once the scallops are cooked through, remove them from the air fryer and, if desired, sprinkle with a touch of Historic BBQ Red seasoning for an extra burst of flavor.
Serve hot and enjoy your delicious bacon-wrapped scallops!
