Perfectly Cooked Bacon Wrapped Quail – A Step-by-Step Guide

Bacon wrapped quail is an elegant and delicious appetizer that looks fancy but is surprisingly easy to make. Bite-sized quail is wrapped in savory bacon and then roasted or grilled to crispy perfection.

The bacon adds great flavor while keeping the lean quail meat nice and moist. And it looks so impressive on a platter!

In this article, I’ll provide a step-by-step walkthrough on how to cook bacon wrapped quail two ways – in the oven or on the grill. Let’s get cooking!

Why Bacon Wrapped Quail?

Here are just a few reasons this recipe is so delicious

• The bacon adds a nice smoky, salty flavor that pairs perfectly with the mildly gamey quail meat

• Wrapping the quail breasts in bacon keeps them incredibly juicy and tender as they cook.

• You get the fun contrast of a crispy salty exterior and tender, lightly seasoned interior.

• It’s an elegant yet easy to eat finger food, perfect for parties and gatherings.

• You can cook them in the oven or on the grill with equally delicious results.

So for an impressive looking appetizer that’s sure to wow guests, bacon wrapped quail is where it’s at! The two cooking methods are outlined below.

Ingredients Needed

To make this recipe, you only need two main ingredients:

• Quail breast halves (as many as desired)
• Thinly sliced bacon

You’ll also need:

• Skewers or toothpicks
• Olive oil or vegetable oil (for oven method)

That’s it! The quail can be seasoned simply with just salt and pepper to allow the bacon flavor to shine. Now let’s get to the fun part – wrapping and cooking!

How to Wrap Quail Breasts in Bacon

Wrapping quail breasts in bacon is easy but there are a few tricks:

1. Start with quail breast halves and thinly sliced bacon. Quail breasts are tiny so regular bacon slices need to be cut in half widthwise.

2. Lay a quail breast smooth side down and season lightly with salt and pepper.

3. Fold the sides of the breast over the top so it makes a tidy little packet.

4. Wrap the breast packet with a bacon half, fully encompassing it.

5. Secure the bacon in place by skewering it or using a toothpick. Make sure the bacon is held firmly against the quail breast.

6. Repeat with remaining quail breasts and bacon until everything is wrapped.

That’s it! Now your bacon wrapped quail is ready for roasting or grilling.

How to Cook Bacon Wrapped Quail in the Oven

The oven method lets you cook bacon wrapped quail to crispy perfection:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease with oil.

2. Arrange the wrapped quail seam side down on the prepared pan, spaced apart.

3. Roast for 15-20 minutes until bacon is crisped and quail is cooked through.

4. If needed, turn on the broiler for 1-2 minutes to crisp the bacon further. Watch closely to avoid burning.

5. Let cool slightly before serving warm. Provide picks for easy eating.

The hot oven renders the fat in the bacon to a nice crisp texture while gently cooking the quail. So easy and delicious!

How to Grill Bacon Wrapped Quail

Grilling imparts a lovely smoky char while cooking the quail:

1. Prepare quail breasts wrapped in bacon as directed above.

2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates.

3. Arrange quail packets directly on the grill grates seam side down.

4. Grill for 8-10 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Move to cooler side of grill if bacon browns too quickly.

5. Grill until bacon is browned and sizzling and quail is cooked through.

6. Transfer to a platter and let rest 5 minutes before serving warm.

The grill’s direct sear gives the bacon a nice char while adding that quintessential smoky flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Bacon wrapped quail is delicious on its own but here are some tasty ways to serve it:

• On endive leaves for an elegant presentation.

• Slider-style on mini toasted brioche buns with fruit jam.

• Alongside creamy polenta or risotto cakes for contrast.

• On a bed of fresh salad greens.

• With roasted fingerling potatoes and asparagus.

• With an assortment of olives, nuts, and pickled vegetables for an appetizer spread.

No matter how you serve them, these little bacon wrapped bites are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Helpful Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Quail

To ensure your bacon wrapped quail turns out crispy and delicious, keep these tips in mind:

• Choose a thin sliced bacon to wrap around the small quail breasts easily.

• Make the bacon slices wide enough to fully cover the quail packet.

• Secure the bacon firmly to prevent it from unraveling as it cooks.

• Cook over medium-high heat – too low and the bacon won’t crisp.

• Use a foil-lined pan to prevent sticking when roasting in the oven.

• Allow to rest before serving so juices redistribute and don’t leak out when cutting.

• Serve warm – the textural contrast is lost when cold.

Follow my step-by-step instructions and handy tips for perfectly cooked bacon wrapped quail every time. Enjoy!

More Mouthwatering Quail Recipes

If you love cooking with quail, give these other tasty recipes a try:

Baked Quail with Mushroom Stuffing – Quail baked with a savory wild mushroom and breadcrumb filling.

Quail with Rosemary Roasted Grapes – Pan roasted quail served with a sweet grape garnish.

Thai Grilled Quail – Marinated in an amazing Thai-inspired blend of seasonings.

Crispy Southern Fried Quail – Buttermilk soaked then fried golden brown.

Quail with Wild Mushroom Ragout – Seared quail served over an earthy mushroom sauce.