Turkey bacon wrapped scallops are a healthy and elegant main dish. They are tender, light and buttery, and so flavorful! While the taste is ultra decadent, this recipe is amazingly quick and easy to make. You only need 4 ingredients and 15 minutes to prepare a restaurant-quality dinner at home!

bacon wrapped sea scallops right out of the oven

Bacon wrapped scallops are a classic menu item at high-end restaurants and "fancy" affairs. Everything about them tastes so luxurious... From the buttery fork-tender texture of the scallop to the savory crisp bacon wrapping. Every bite is pure decadence!

These oven baked turkey bacon wrapped scallops are a slightly healthier version of scallops with traditional pork bacon. They have less fat per serving but are just as flavorful!

Here you find the same crispy, slightly chewy, and lightly salty salty bacon-y goodness you love. Love to cook with turkey bacon? Try my newest recipe- turkey bacon wrapped asparagus, delicious and so easy to make!

This almost effortless recipe is the best for perfect scallops that are tender and luscious every time. It requires only 4 simple ingredients with minimal cleanup! Simply wrap fresh scallops in turkey bacon, season, and bake in the oven for up to 15 minutes.

Enjoy these delicious sea scallops as an elevated dish even on a busy weeknight. Or serve for an impressive (but secretly hassle-free!) dinner party meal. They are sure to be a hit with everyone at the table!

Ingredients

Sea scallops. I use sea scallops, they are much bigger in size than bay scallops. You can use bay scallops too, just reduce cooking time.
Turkey bacon. Ideal for wrapping scallops. Its firm and not greasy. I used a half of the strip per one scallop.
Salt and pepper. A must have seasonings for every recipe.
Olive oil. A drizzle of good olive oil is essential when making any kind of fish or seafood.

How to make turkey bacon wrapped scallops

Rinse scallops with cold running water. You want to make sure there is no more sand left. If using frozen scallops, thaw them first. Preheat the oven.

Open the turkey bacon package. Pat dry scallops with paper towels. Cut each bacon strip in half and wrap each scallop with turkey bacon (half a strip per one scallop). Secure bacon with a toothpick. Lay all the pieces in the baking dish.

wrapping scallop in to the one bacon stripe

You can either grease baking dish or line with parchment paper for an easy clean up after. Leave some space between the scallops so they cook evenly. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Do not put too much salt because turkey bacon is already pretty salty.

If sea scallops are nice and large, they should be fully cooked in 12-15 minutes. Check the internal temperature if not sure, the instant stick thermometer should show 145 degrees. Do not overcook or scallops will become chewy and rubbery.

Are scallops healthy

Yes, scallops are quite healthy. They are a low calorie source of protein and hearty-healthy fats, plus essential nutrients like magnesium and potassium. Sea scallops can even help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure!

raw turkey bacon wrapped sea scallops on the cutting board

raw scallops with turkey bacon before baking

Wrapping them in lean turkey bacon keeps this dish on the healthier side, without losing any flavor. For the healthiest dish I recommend you use nitrate-free and low sodium bacon.

Where to buy

Scallops are notoriously a pricey item to buy. But if you are already preparing to spend a bit more than typical to make this recipe, you might as well go the distance and purchase high-quality seafood.

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a bunch of bacon wrapped scallops on the baking dish with oil

If you can, source the scallops from a local fishmonger. The superior taste and texture of fresh seafood is definitely worth the price!

However, most major grocery stores carry fresh or frozen scallops in the seafood section as well. I suggest you purchase them fresh from the counter if they are available.

Major grocery stores carry them as well. Check freezer isle of your local Walmart, Costco or Safeway.

How do you keep scallops from getting rubbery

Drizzle scallops with olive oil and bake in the oven for a soft, tender texture and golden crust. This easy cooking method helps to ensure that the wrapped scallops stay moist and do not overcook.

Set your timer for the low end of the recommended cook time, and check they are done every minute after that. Remove the scallops as soon as they turn opaque and the bacon looks crisp on the edges.

baked turkey bacon wrapped scallop in hand

Frequently asked questions

Can you cook scallops from frozen?

Yes, you technically can wrap frozen scallops with turkey bacon and bake. The cook time will need to be increased from 10-15 minutes to 15-20 minutes.

However, if you have the time I suggest you let them thaw before cooking. This is best for the ideal texture and taste.

Can you make them ahead?

It is not a good idea to make turkey bacon wrapped scallops in advance. The scallops will toughen as they sit and become cold. Reheating them is tricky at best. Thankfully they bake in only 15 minutes max, so the recipe is great for last-minute cooking!

Do you cook bacon before it is wrapped around scallops?

It is not necessary to precook turkey bacon before wrapping the scallops. But if you like super crispy bacon you certainly can cook it first. Fry the bacon in a skillet for a few minutes, until it is crisp around the edges but still soft enough to wrap.

How do you know when scallops are done?

Sea scallops go from translucent to opaque when cooked. The texture of the scallops will be slightly firm and melt-in-your-mouth tender. And the bacon should be a bit crisp and chewy without being overly crunchy or tough.

Variations and notes

You can easily substitute turkey bacon to regular bacon. Its a classic combination and very delicious too!
Substitute sea scallops with bay scallops. They are much smaller and might be hard to wrap them in bacon. Also the cooking time should be reduced so they don't overcook.
Make sure that the internal temperature of cooked scallops is 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not overcook your seafood!

Storage

Leftovers. Store leftovers in the air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Its not recommended to store seafood for any longer.

Freezer. You can freeze leftovers as well. Tightly wrap scallops in foil or place them in the freezer safe container or zip lock bag.

Reheat. You can easily reheat turkey bacon wrapped scallops in the air fryer, it will help bacon to get firm again. Microwave is also an great option! The bacon may become a little soggy though. Do not overcook scallops when reheating.

Turkey Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Ingredients

16 sea scallops
8 slices turkey bacon
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Pat dry scallops with paper towels. Cut each bacon strip in half and wrap each scallop with turkey bacon. Secure bacon with a toothpick.
Place wrapped scallops to the baking dish. Drizzle each one with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake for 12 minutes.

Notes

Leftovers. Store leftovers in the air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Its not recommended to store seafood for any longer.

Freezer. You can freeze leftovers as well. Tightly wrap scallops in foil or place them in the freezer safe container or zip lock bag.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 147Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 748mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 15g