There’s something irresistibly delicious about the sweet heat of pepper jelly complementing the salty crispiness of bacon, especially when wrapped around perfectly tender scallops. This Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Pepper Jelly Recipe is one of my go-to showstoppers for cozy get-togethers or when you want to treat yourself to a little seafood luxury at home.

The image shows several round, golden scallops wrapped in crispy bacon, each topped with a shiny layer of bright red and yellow chili sauce with small pepper pieces. The scallops are placed closely together on a dark textured grill or pan surface, showing some char marks and grilled details on the bacon edges. To the right side, part of a white bowl filled with a textured orange-red sauce is visible. The colors are very warm and vibrant, and the grilled textures stand out clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Pepper Jelly Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Pepper Jelly Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Pepper Jelly Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made this Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Pepper Jelly Recipe when I had some friends over for drinks, and it was a total hit. The combo of smoky bacon, tender scallops, and that sweet-spicy pepper jelly glaze always gets everyone asking for seconds. It’s fancy enough to impress, but surprisingly easy to pull off.

Easy prep: The bacon is parcooked in a microwave to get just the right balance of crispiness and bendability—trust me, it works like a charm.
Big flavor punch: Pepper jelly adds a sweet, spicy zing that makes these scallops unforgettable.
Quick cooking time: Broiling takes just minutes, so you can serve hot and fresh right when guests arrive.
Impressively versatile: Great as an appetizer, party bite, or even a light main dish with the right sides.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Pepper Jelly Recipe plays a key role. The scallops are sweet and tender, the bacon crisp and smoky, and the pepper jelly brings that perfect harmony of spice and sweetness. When shopping, look for fresh, large sea scallops and a good quality hot pepper jelly—you’ll taste the difference.

Flat lay of large plump sea scallops with a slight sheen, strips of raw bacon with visible marbling and fat, a small pile of coarse kosher salt crystals, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy bright red hot pepper jelly, all arranged in perfect symmetry on simple white ceramic plates and bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Sea Scallops: Choose large, dry-packed scallops if you can; they're meatier and hold up better when wrapped.
Kosher Salt: Simple seasoning that enhances the natural sweetness of the scallops.
Bacon: Thicker cut bacon works beautifully here; parcooking helps it crisp without burning under the broiler.
Hot Pepper Jelly: The star glaze—offers just the right amount of heat balanced with sweetness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What I love about this recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste. Maybe you like things a little spicier or want to add a fresh herb touch; go for it! These tweaks can make the dish feel personalized and keep you excited about making it again.

Variation: Sometimes, I add a sprinkle of fresh thyme or chopped chives on top after broiling to add a bright herbaceous note—it really lifts the dish.
Less Heat: If you're not a big fan of spicy food, swap the hot pepper jelly for a mild pepper jelly or even a sweet apricot jam for a lovely twist.
Gluten-Free Version: This recipe is naturally gluten-free; just confirm your pepper jelly is gluten-free, too, to be safe.
Serving Size: Feel free to halve or double the recipe—scallops cook quickly, so adjusting the batch size won't throw off timing.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Pepper Jelly Recipe

Four golden brown scallops wrapped in crispy red bacon, each sprinkled with small green herbs, sit on top of a thick, creamy white mashed potato layer that covers the whole white plate. On the right side of the plate, bright green cooked green beans rest neatly, adding a fresh touch. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Season the Scallops

First things first—make sure your scallops are thawed and patted dry. Removing the side muscle on each scallop is key for a tender bite; it can be a little chewy if left on. Then, season them lightly with kosher salt so the flavor really shines through without overpowering the natural sweetness.

Step 2: Parcook the Bacon Carefully

This step might surprise you, but parcooking the bacon in the microwave before wrapping is a game-changer. It softens the bacon just enough to bend around the scallops but already starts the cooking process, so it crisps up nicely under the broiler without overcooking the scallops. Lay your strips on paper towels and microwave in batches—two minutes usually does the trick.

Step 3: Wrap and Secure

Cut each bacon strip to fit snugly around a scallop with just a small overlap. Wrap each scallop tightly but gently and secure it with a toothpick to keep everything in place during cooking. Arrange them on your foil-lined, greased baking sheet, and you’re almost ready for the final step.

Step 4: Top with Pepper Jelly and Broil

Spoon about a teaspoon of hot pepper jelly over each bacon-wrapped scallop. Broil them on the upper-middle rack for 3-4 minutes, turning the pan halfway through to ensure even cooking. You want the bacon edges crisp and browned, the scallops opaque and just springy to the touch. Keep a close eye here because broilers can vary quickly.

Step 5: Serve Immediately and Enjoy

Transfer your scallops to a serving platter, remove the toothpicks, and serve while they’re still warm. Every bite should be a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, spicy, and tender. Trust me, they’ll disappear fast!

Top Tip

After making this recipe multiple times, I learned a few tricks that make all the difference between good scallops and show-stopping scallops. These tips save time and keep things foolproof.

Pat Dry Early: Moisture is the enemy of crispy bacon, so dry scallops well with paper towels before seasoning and wrapping.
Microwave Bacon in Small Batches: It’s tempting to throw all bacon slices in but doing smaller batches ensures even parcooking without overdone edges.
Use Toothpicks Wisely: Secure bacon snugly but don’t stab too deep into the scallop to keep the meat tender and the wrap intact.
Watch Your Broiler: Oven temps vary—stay close during broiling to avoid scorched bacon or rubbery scallops.

How to Serve Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Pepper Jelly Recipe

bacon wrapped scallops - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle some finely chopped fresh parsley or chives on top of the scallops—it adds a fresh pop of color and light herb flavor that balances the richness beautifully. A small wedge of lemon on the side is also great if someone wants a little bright citrus buzz.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs well with simple sides like garlic roasted asparagus, a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette, or even a creamy risotto to keep things elegant and balanced. For casual eats, some crusty bread to mop up any juices is a winner.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or parties, I like to thread these bacon-wrapped scallops onto cocktail picks and arrange them on a decorative platter. Adding small dollops of extra pepper jelly on the side makes for a beautiful, interactive appetizer station where guests can customize each bite.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I recommend reheating them quickly in a toaster oven or regular oven to keep the bacon crispy instead of microwaving, which can make bacon soggy.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze these because scallops change texture after thawing and reheating can dry them out, but if you must, freeze them uncooked and wrapped tightly. Thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking fresh.

Reheating

To reheat, place scallops on a foil-lined baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes until heated through and bacon crisp again. Avoid the microwave, which can make both scallops and bacon lose their texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen scallops for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen scallops, but be sure to fully thaw and pat them dry to remove excess moisture before cooking. This helps the scallops brown nicely and prevents sogginess when wrapped with bacon.

How spicy is the hot pepper jelly in this recipe?

The level of spice depends on the brand of hot pepper jelly you choose. Most have a gentle heat that balances well with sweetness, but if you prefer less spicy, you can substitute with a mild pepper jelly or a sweet fruit preserve.

What’s the best way to ensure the bacon cooks evenly?

Parcooking the bacon in the microwave before wrapping the scallops softens it just enough to bend around the scallop without cracking, and partially cooks it so it crisps evenly during broiling without burning. This method is key to perfect bacon-wrapped scallops.

Can I prepare these ahead of time?

You can assemble the bacon-wrapped scallops and refrigerate them for up to an hour before broiling. However, for the best texture and flavor, I recommend broiling right before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Pepper Jelly Recipe really holds a special place in my kitchen rotation—it’s that perfect blend of simple and sophisticated that always gets rave reviews. Whether it’s for a weeknight treat or a special gathering, I can’t recommend it enough. Give it a try and see for yourself how these little bites can wow everyone at your table!