Air Fryer Scallops with Bacon are so easy, made with just two ingredients! Elegant enough to impress guests yet easy enough to make any weeknight for your family.
Air Fryer Scallops
Scallops in the air fryer are so meaty and delicious, and take just minutes to cook which makes this a perfect fast weeknight dish. Making them in the air fryer, the scallops come out perfectly juicy and tender on the inside, with crisp golden bacon on the outside in under 10 minutes. If your not a scallop fan, you may also like these Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites.
Making Scallops In The Air Fryer is Easy!
The air fryer has now replaced my oven on most weekdays and nights, whether making air fryer hard boiled eggs, whipping up a side dish, heating up leftovers, or making dinner.
I have been craving bacon wrapped scallops forever and finally decided to test them out in the air fryer. Playing around with them in my kitchen, I found partially cooking the bacon before wrapping the scallops gives you the best results for perfectly cooked scallops and crisp, bacon.
What You’ll Need To Make Air Fryer Scallops
Here’s the ingredients to make this easy scallop recipe. See exact measurements in the recipe card below.
- Large sea scallops: cleaned and pat dry with paper towels. Bay scallops are too small.
- Center cut bacon: it’s leaner than regular bacon
- Toothpicks: to keep the bacon in place
- Olive oil spray: or avocado oil, to avoid sticking to the basket
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste (I didn’t add salt since the bacon is salty)
How To Cook Scallops in the Air Fryer
Here’s the step-by-step instructions to make these air fryer scallops with bacon. See exact measurements in the recipe card below.
- Preheat air fryer to 400F for 3 minutes, to get the air fryer basket hot.
- Place the bacon in the air fryer to partially cook 400F 3 minutes, turning halfway. Remove and set on a paper towel to cool.
- Remove any side muscles on the scallops. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels to remove any moisture.
- Wrap each scallop in slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.
- Spritz olive oil over scallops and season lightly with black pepper.
- Arrange scallops in a single layer in the air fryer, cook, in batches 8 minutes turning halfway until scallop is tender and opaque and bacon is cooked through. The internal temperature should be 125F to 130F degrees. Serve hot.
Variations:
- Serve with fresh lemon juice or fresh herbs
- Skip the bacon and season the scallops with salt or Cajun seasoning. Drizzle with a lemon butter sauce by melting butter and squeezing fresh lemon or lemon zest in it. Add garlic to make it a garlic butter sauce.
Helpful Tips for Air Fryer Scallops
- For perfectly cooked scallops, be sure to pat the scallops dry. Place them between paper towels to get any moisture out.
- One half slice of bacon fit perfectly around each scallop, you’ll need a toothpick to secure it.
- Always turn your food halfway when air frying. The heating element is at the top, so turning it will cook food evenly on both sides.
What To Serve With Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- Scallops are great served over salad like baby mixed greens or arugula salad.
- Serve them over Cauliflower Puree
- Sauteed Spinach with Garlic and Oil would also make a great side dish.
- Broccoli and Orzo is an also easy side dish my whole family loves.
More Scallop Recipes:
- Blackened Salmon with Mango Salsa
- Scallop Tostadas
- Grilled Scallop Kebabs
- Seared Scallops with Parmesan Risotto
- Baked Scallops
Air Fryer Scallops with Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 large sea scallops, cleaned and pat dry with paper towels
- 8 slices center cut bacon
- 16 toothpicks
- olive oil spray
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400F 3 minutes.
- Place the bacon in the air fryer to partially cook 3 minutes, turning halfway. Remove and set on a paper towel to cool.
- Remove any side muscles on the scallops. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels to remove any moisture.
- Wrap each scallop in slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.
- Spritz olive oil over scallops and season lightly with black pepper.
- Arrange scallops in a single layer in the air fryer, cook, in batches 8 minutes turning halfway until scallop is tender and opaque and bacon is cooked through. Serve hot.
Last Step:
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Nutrition
Photo credit: Jess Larson
