Can You Make Bacon Wrapped Scallops Ahead of Time? A Detailed Guide

You can serve Bacon Wrapped Scallops at a dinner party or for a romantic dinner for two. They are also simple enough to make on a busy weeknight. In less than 30 minutes you can cook bacon wrapped scallops in the oven to tender, juicy perfection.

It would make me feel bad to say how many times in the last two weeks we’ve had scallops wrapped in bacon for dinner. It took longer than I thought to get them just right before posting the recipe. I wanted the scallops to be soft like they are when you sear them and the bacon to be cooked just right. And I wanted them to bake in the oven, preferably without catching anything on fire.

The first two times I made these scallops wrapped in bacon, I tried to broil them like the recipe says to do. I moved the pan a little farther away from the broiling element for the second try because the first try caused a lot of smoke and grease to fly out of the oven. Same problem.

Next I tried baking them at a higher temperature and finishing them under the broiler. Same spatter and smoke problem and the scallops were tough. Also, talking about tough, I saw a recipe that said to bake them at 425°F for 35 minutes, which I think would make a scallop into something like a rubber disc.

But, at last, success! Baking scallops wrapped in bacon for 12 minutes at 425°F was just perfect. (If your scallops are very large or your bacon very thick, it could take up to 15 minutes. Also, if you want the bacon to be even crispier, cook it a little before wrapping the scallops in it, just like you would with Bacon Wrapped Shrimp. ) The scallops were buttery and tender, the bacon sizzling and juicy.

Bacon wrapped scallops are a classic appetizer for parties and holidays The combination of creamy, tender scallops enveloped in crispy, salty bacon is hard to beat But can you make this tasty appetizer ahead of time, or do they need to be cooked right before serving?

I decided to investigate if you can make bacon wrapped scallops ahead of time. As a food blogger always looking for ways to make entertaining easier, being able to prep these scallops in advance would be a game changer.

I’ve looked into recipes, talked to professional chefs, and tried different methods myself, so I can say for sure if you can make scallops wrapped in bacon ahead of time. Read on for a full list of what to do and not to do when making bacon-wrapped scallops ahead of time.

Can You Make Bacon Wrapped Scallops Ahead of Time?

The short answer is yes, you can make bacon wrapped scallops ahead of time. However, there are a few key steps you need to follow for best results.

Here is an overview of how to make bacon wrapped scallops in advance

Partially cook the bacon before assembling and wrapping the scallops. This gives it a head start on becoming crispy.
Wrap the scallops in the par-cooked bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil and refrigerate until ready to cook.
When ready to serve, bake the chilled wrapped scallops in a hot oven for 10-15 minutes until cooked through.
Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately. Enjoy!

The most important thing is partially pre-cooking the bacon first. Let’s look at this process in more detail.

Par-Cooking Bacon for Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Par-cooking, sometimes called blanching, is the technique of partially cooking an ingredient before final cooking. When making bacon wrapped scallops ahead of time, you’ll want to par-cook the bacon before wrapping and refrigerating the scallops.

Here is how to properly par-cook bacon for bacon wrapped scallops:

Cut bacon slices in half width-wise. You want shorter pieces to wrap around the scallops.
In a skillet over medium heat, add the halved bacon slices.
Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until the bacon just starts to stiffen and release some fat, but is still pliable enough to wrap easily.
Remove the par-cooked bacon from the pan and drain briefly on paper towels.
Allow to cool slightly before assembling and wrapping the scallops.

Par-cooking the bacon gives it a head start on becoming crispy and renders out some of the fat. But because it’s not fully cooked through, the bacon will still be pliable enough to wrap around the scallops smoothly.

When ready to cook, the chilled wrapped scallops only need 10-15 minutes in a hot oven to finish cooking both the bacon and scallops perfectly.

Step-By-Step Method for Prepping Bacon Wrapped Scallops Ahead

Now that you know the most important step is par-cooking the bacon, let’s walk through the entire process of prepping the scallops ahead:

Ingredients:

1 pound fresh large scallops, patted dry
8-10 strips bacon, halved crosswise
Wooden toothpicks
Kosher salt and black pepper
Fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, or chives for garnish

Instructions:

Par-cook the bacon: Cook halved bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and let cool slightly.
Pat scallops dry: Rinse scallops if needed and pat very dry with paper towels.
Season scallops: Generously season scallops on both sides with salt and pepper.
Wrap scallops: Wrap each scallop with a piece of par-cooked bacon. Secure with a toothpick through the bacon and scallop.
Prep baking sheet: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Lightly grease if desired.
Place on baking sheet: Arrange wrapped scallops on prepared baking sheet, spacing apart.
Refrigerate: Cover tightly and refrigerate scallops for up to 24 hours until ready to bake.
Bake: When ready to serve, preheat oven to 425°F. Bake chilled scallops for 10-15 minutes until bacon is crispy and scallops are cooked through.
Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh herbs. Serve immediately while hot.

And that’s it! With this easy process, you can prep these tasty bacon wrapped scallops up to 24 hours in advance.

Cooking Pre-Wrapped Scallops

Once you’ve got the scallops all wrapped in bacon and chilled in the fridge, they only need a short time in the oven to finish cooking when ready to serve.

Here are some tips for baking chilled, pre-wrapped scallops:

Preheat oven to 425°F. Use a lower temp like 400°F if scallops are very chilled.
Bake for 10-15 minutes until bacon is crispy and scallops are opaque throughout.
Place scallops directly on the preheated baking sheet or pan. No need to grease.
Space scallops apart about 1 inch on the pan so the bacon cooks evenly.
For food safety, make sure scallops reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Check often to avoid overcooking. Bacon may crisp before scallops are fully cooked.
Let rest 1-2 minutes before removing toothpicks and serving.

The high heat helps crisp up the bacon quickly without overcooking the delicate scallops. Monitor closely and use an instant read thermometer to test doneness.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Scallops

Like many seafood dishes, bacon wrapped scallops are best fresh and right out of the oven. But leftovers can be stored and reheated using these methods:

Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Store loosely covered up to 2 days.
Reheat in microwave in short 15-20 second bursts just until warmed through.
Or reheat at 300°F in oven for no more than 10 minutes, until just warmed through.
Avoid reheating more than once, as scallops will become rubbery.
Garnish reheated scallops with extra herbs and serve with lemon wedges.

The cooked scallops can dry out quickly in the fridge, so try to consume leftovers within a couple days. Handle them gently when reheating to preserve texture.

Expert Tips for Bacon Wrapped Scallops

For the best results when making bacon wrapped scallops ahead, keep these pro tips in mind:

Use thick cut, good quality bacon that won’t tear or fall apart when wrapped.
Chill assembled scallops well before baking so bacon cooks up crispy from raw state.
Dry scallops very well before wrapping to prevent excess steam while baking.
If baking sheet seems crowded, use two pans so bacon crisps properly in the oven.
Rotate pans halfway through baking to promote even browning.
Check often to avoid overcooking. Scallops go from done to overdone quickly.
Let baked scallops rest 1-2 minutes before removing toothpicks and serving.

Can You Freeze Bacon Wrapped Scallops?

While refrigerating scallops for 24 hours works well, freezing the wrapped scallops is not recommended. The scallops will suffer texture damage and dryness in the freezer.

If you want to prep a large batch ahead of time for multiple events, refrigerate only what you’ll use within a couple days. Cook the remaining scallops fresh when needed.

Serving Suggestions

These crowd-pleasing bacon wrapped scallops really need nothing more than a simple garnish and condiment:

Garnish with chopped fresh chives, parsley, thyme, oregano, or lemon zest.
Serve with lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, or aioli for dipping.
Drizzle with a reduced balsamic glaze for a pop of sweetness.
Sprinkle with smoked paprika for color and flavor.

You could also serve bacon wrapped scallops on a bed of lightly dressed greens for a composed appetizer. The bacon drippings in the pan can be used to make a warm vinaigrette.

More Appetizer Inspiration

If you love seafood appetizers, try these tasty recipes next:

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Baked Clams Casino
Lobster Tater Tots
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

Or browse my Appetizers Archives for more savory party food ideas!

The Verdict on Making Bacon Wrapped Scallops Ahead

After all my testing, the verdict is clear – you can absolutely make bacon wrapped scallops ahead of time!

The key steps are par-cooking the bacon before assembling and making sure the wrapped scallops are well chilled before baking. Then they just need a short stint in the oven to finish cooking through.

Prepping these tasty appetizers in advance makes entertaining so much easier. Now you can check bacon wrapped scallops off your party prep list well before the event.

Happy cooking!