Bacon Wrapped Scallops in the Air Fryer

By Karly Campbell on December 13, 2022 | Updated December 13, 2022 | 2 Comments

Bacon wrapped scallops are best cooked in the air fryer! The air fryer gives the scallops a great texture, and the bacon cooks perfectly!

Close up of bacon wrapped scallops on a white plate.

We have had our air fryer for several years now. Way back in the day, the first seafood recipe we made was air fryer scallops.

It was a great recipe that highlighted how simple and delicious seafood could be from the air fryer.

Now, years later, we are stepping up our game and adding bacon to the mix!

This recipe is still really easy and has a divine flavor combo sure to impress your guest or whoever you are cooking for!

Table of Contents

Ingredient Notes:

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Ingredients for bacon wrapped scallops spread out on a countertop.

Scallops – We used large sea scallops for this recipe. You will tyipcally find these called “dry scallops” in your grocery store.

Bacon – We like center-cut bacon here. A normal, thin cut bacon will work best. Thick cut bacon won’t cook properly.

Sauce Ingredients– Butter, soy sauce, garlic powder, and maple are all needed for the sweet and savory sauce.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Scallops in an Air Fryer:

Collage of the steps of preparing bacon wrapped scallops.

Start the bacon– Spritz your air fryer basket with oil. Slice the bacon in half and place in your air fryer basket. Air fry the bacon for 3 minutes at 400 degrees F. It will only be partially cooked, and that is the goal! Drain the bacon on a paper towel lined plate until it cools enough to touch it.
Prepare the scallops– Pat the scallops dry, then wrap bacon around the edges of the scallops. Hold the bacon in place with a toothpick. It is fine for the bacon to slightly overlap, it will still cook fine. Place your scallops in the air fryer basket.
Whisk up your sauce– In a small bowl combine your maple, butter, soy sauce, and garlic powder. Whisk these together and brush it onto your scallops.
Air fry the scallops– Air fry your scallops for 8 minutes at 400 degrees F. When they are done cooking your bacon should be crisp and your scallops opaque. Do your best to not overcook your scallops. Sprinkle with cracked pepper and parsley for serving!

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An air fryer basket with several bacon wrapped scallops in it.

FAQ:

Can you reheat leftover scallops in an air fryer?

First of all, scallops are best as fresh as possible. No matter what you do, they will be less tasty than they were when freshly made. That being said, you can reheat scallops easily in the air fryer. You want to try to avoid drying them out or overcooking them as they’ll become tough and chewy.

What is a safe temp for eating scallops?

You should cook your scallops to an internal temp of about 125 degrees F. To achieve this, you may need to take them out of the air fryer between 115 and 120 degrees F and let them rest for a few minutes to come to temperature.

How do I pick the best scallops for wrapping in bacon?

For this recipe, you want to choose the dry large scallops from your market. They should be firm and smell fresh. You can use frozen also if you thaw them first. You need to use scallops within a couple days after thawing.

Recipe Tips!

If you purchase frozen scallops thaw them slowly. Keeping them sealed and thawing them in cold water is the best approach!