Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops are a simple but delicious keto, paleo appetizer, or light lunch. Buttery scallops wrapped in smoky bacon and air-fried to perfection.
Best of all, this bacon-wrapped snack has zero carbs!
This gourmet appetizer or snack is quick & easy to make but will impress everyone. My family pretty much considers this beautiful hors d'oeuvre a restaurant-quality appetizer.
If scallops are not your cup of tea, then try my Keto Oven Fried Garlic Parmesan Shrimp recipe.
Do you remember the first time you tried scallops? Unfortunately, I did not try scallops until I was about 40 years old, so I feel like I've been missing out on what is one of my favorite kinds of seafood.
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Ingredients for shopping list
- Medium to Large Scallops
- Bacon Strips
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Avocado Oil
- Baby Arugula Leaves
- Salt and Black Pepper
- Toothpicks or Bamboo Sticks
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Place the bacon strips into the air fryer and cook for 3 minutes. Turn halfway and remove, place into a prepared plate with a paper towel and pat them dry to remove any moisture.
Do this in batches to avoid overlapping each slice of bacon in the air fryer.
Remove the side muscles on the scallops, pat them dry with paper towels and wrap each scallop with one slice of the precooked bacon, securing it with toothpicks or bamboo sticks.
Lightly brush the scallops with extra virgin olive oil and lightly season with salt and black pepper.
Place scallops in the air fryer apart from each other and cook for 8 minutes, turning over halfway through cooking time until tender and cooked through.
Arrange the baby arugula leaves on a plate and place the scallops on top or aside. Serve it hot.
Hint: Be careful not to overcook scallops as there is a point where they can turn rubbery, so I would check on them a little early in the cooking time to be sure not to go past the point of no return.
Scallops should feel firm to the touch, but still slightly soft, like completely set Jello, and they start to break apart slightly along the edges.
Substitutions
- Arugula - instead of serving over arugla leaves, you can serve over mashed garlic cauliflower fro an ultimate comfort food meal. Try serving over My Baked Cheesy Garlic Cauliflower Mash.
Variations
- Spices - add lemon pepper or other spices that pair well with seafood.
Equipment
Air fryers are a favorite kitchen appliance and here are some Best-Selling Air Fryers that people love.
These Toothpicks for securing work extremely well.
Storage
Scallops are best served immediately and are not the best in texture when made in advance and reheated. Try to only make as many as you need.
📖 Printable Recipe Card
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Ingredients
- 12 medium to large Scallops
- 12 Bacon strips
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin Olive Oil or Avocado Oil
- 1 ½ cup Baby Arugula Leaves
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- Toothpicks or bamboo sticks
Instructions
- Set the Air Fryer to 400ºF (200ºC) to preheat, and remove the scallops and bacon strips from the fridge.
- Place the bacon strips into the air fryer and cook for 3 minutes. Turn halfway and remove, place into a prepared plate with a paper towel and pat them dry to remove any moisture. Do this in batches to avoid overlapping each slice of bacon in the air fryer.
- Remove the side muscles on the scallops, pat them dry with paper towels and wrap each scallop with one slice of the precooked bacon, securing it with toothpicks or bamboo sticks.
- Lightly brush the scallops with extra virgin olive oil and lightly season with salt and black pepper.
- Place scallops in the air fryer apart from each other and cook for 8 minutes, turning over halfway through cooking time until tender and cooked through. (Scallops should feel firm to the touch, but still slightly soft, like completely set Jello, and they start to break apart slightly along the edges).
- Arrange the baby arugula leaves on a plate and place the scallops on top or aside. Serve it hot.
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Notes
Nutrition
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Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 125 F (52 C).
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
glenda says
Ohhhh this looks so good! I have frozen scallops. I know not ideal, but I have them on hand, along with all other needed items. Would you recommend not using them?
Stacey says
Hi Glenda,
I think frozen is fine as long as they are thawed first.
jennifer says
I am in LOVE with this recipe -- I made for dinner, but would be such a great holiday appetizer too
ChihYu says
So elegant, delicious and full of flavor! The scallops are tender and juicy - the arugula adds zest! And everything is better with bacon!
Jean Choi says
These bacon scallops are so simple but delicious! I love how easy the cleanup is in the air fryer too.
Shelby says
I love the addition of arugula to this- it gives it such a great flavor!