Oh my gosh, if you ever need an appetizer that disappears the second you put it on the table, this is it. I swear, I bring these little bundles of joy to every party, and people actually ask if I brought enough! Forget those complicated, fussy starters that take hours. We are talking about making the absolute best Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe using just a few ingredients and the oven. Seriously, the magic here is how reliably I get perfectly cooked, tender shrimp wrapped inside bacon that shatters when you bite into it. No floppy bacon allowed in my kitchen, ever! This method is foolproof, I promise. It’s pure appetizer gold.
Why This Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe Works Every Time
Look, making bacon-wrapped anything can sometimes end with soggy bacon hugging undercooked shrimp, and that’s just sad! But trust me, this specific method cuts right through those issues. We control the variables to ensure that bacon gets gorgeous and crisp while the shrimp stays plump.
It all comes down to two main things: dryness and bacon thickness. If you skip the drying step, the moisture steams the bacon instead of crisping it. Also, don’t grab those thick, meaty strips!
- You absolutely must pat your shrimp bone-dry first. I use a little stack of paper towels and press down firmly.
- Always opt for thin-cut bacon—it cooks faster and crisps up right when the shrimp is done. No guessing games here!
Prep Time, Cook Time, and Yield for Your Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe
This is why I love making these for friends who suddenly decide to drop by. Everything comes together so fast! You only need 15 minutes of actual prep work. The oven does the heavy lifting during the 20 minutes of cooking time. So, we’re looking at a total time commitment of about 35 minutes for a batch that serves four people generously. That’s perfect for tackling last-minute party needs!
Essential Ingredients for the Best Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe
You don’t need a million fancy things for this recipe, which is another reason I love it so much! The success here really hinges on getting the two main players right: the shrimp and the bacon. You want size and quality, and that’s really it. If you happen to have some extra cocktail sauce lying around, that’s a fantastic dipping option for serving, though totally optional. You can check out my favorite spicy cocktail sauce recipe if you want to go all out for dipping!
First up, grab about a pound of large shrimp—and please make sure they are peeled and deveined already! Nobody wants to do that right before a party. Then, for the bacon, you absolutely need thin-cut strips, and here’s the secret: you have to cut those strips in half crosswise before you start wrapping. This gives you the perfect amount of crispy goodness to hug the shrimp without it becoming a giant, floppy mess. We’re also using just a tiny bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper for seasoning.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe
I know some people get nervous about the shrimp turning out dry, but we are going to tackle that right here! I mentioned thin bacon, but just to reinforce that—it cooks much faster than thick-cut bacon, which means your shrimp won’t overcook waiting for the bacon to crisp up. This is crucial for texture!
Now, if you want to take these babies up a notch for an extra layer of sticky, sweet, salty flavor, you can totally add a simple glaze right near the end. During the last five minutes of baking, just brush on a mix of brown sugar and soy sauce. It caramelizes beautifully onto that bacon. It’s my favorite little trick for making them party-famous!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe
Okay, let’s get these little guys ready for their bacon makeover! This baking method is so easy, it barely feels like cooking. First things first, while you’re prepping your shrimp, make sure your oven is cranked up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. I always make sure to line my baking sheet with parchment paper too. Sounds simple, but this step saves you the headache of scraping burned bacon bits off your pan later—trust me on this one!
Next comes the hands-on part, which is the wrapping. Remember how I stressed patting those shrimp dry? Do that now, and just hit them with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Now, take one of those bacon halves—you cut them earlier, right?—and wrap it tightly around the shrimp. You must secure it with a toothpick pushed all the way through the shrimp and the bacon. This holds everything together so the bacon doesn’t unravel while it shrinks in the heat.
Once they are all tucked in on the baking sheet, give them a super light brush with olive oil. This helps them brown nicely. They need about 15 to 20 minutes in the oven. The crucial timing here is turning them halfway through—around the 8-minute mark. This ensures even crisping on both sides. If you want to up your shrimp game even further, you can check out my guide for making the best shrimp cocktail for comparison!
Pro Tips for Perfectly Crisp Bacon in Your Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe
So, you pulled them out at 18 minutes, but maybe that bacon still looks a tad soft for your liking? That’s okay! I’ve got my secret weapon for that last push of crispness. If you need that bacon to snap, get aggressive for just a moment!
Right after they come out of the oven, if you still see pale spots on the bacon, transfer them onto a wire rack set over a different sheet pan. Pop them under the broiler for just one or two minutes. You have to watch them like a hawk during this part, seriously—they go from golden to black in a blink! But that quick blast of high heat guarantees that perfectly crisp exterior you dream about. Finish them with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt if you’re feeling fancy!
Serving Suggestions for Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe
Now that you have these perfect, salty, savory bites, what do you serve them with? Since they are so rich, they really shine with something bright or tangy on the side. If you are having a big party buffet, these are fantastic next to something smoky, like my famous cocktail franks. They handle the heat well!
For dipping, keep it simple! A classic lemon aioli is always a winner because that acidity cuts right through the richness of the bacon fat. Or, if you want something zesty, a squeeze of fresh lime over the top right before serving makes a huge difference in brightening up the flavor profile. They are truly great all on their own, though!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe
So, if you actually manage to have any of these left over—which is tough, right?—you need to store them correctly to keep that bacon respectable. Pop them into an airtight container right away and keep them chilled in the fridge. Honestly, they are best eaten the day you make them, but they’ll keep okay for maybe two days tops.
When it comes time to reheat, please, please skip the microwave! That’s the fastest way to get rubbery shrimp and soggy bacon, and we worked too hard for that. I highly suggest tossing them back in a preheated 350-degree oven for about five to seven minutes, or even better, dropping them into an air fryer for four minutes on crisp setting. That brings back that wonderful texture!
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe
I get so many questions after parties about how I make these so perfect! Here are a few things people always ask me when they try making my simple Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe for the first time.
What is the best bacon to use for this recipe?
This is the most important question! You really need thin-cut bacon. If you use the thick-cut stuff, the bacon won’t cook through by the time the shrimp get mushy. So, grab the thinner strips and cut them in half crosswise before wrapping. That gives you the perfect balance!
How long do I really need to bake them to get crispy bacon?
The standard cooking time is 15 to 20 minutes at 400 degrees, but crispness depends on your oven! I always check mine around the 17-minute mark. If the bacon isn’t super brown, I give them that quick 1-2 minute blast under the broiler. Just don’t walk away during that last minute, or you’ll be making charcoal!
Can I make these ahead of time?
You certainly can assemble them ahead of time, which is a lifesaver! Wrap the raw shrimp in the bacon, secure them with toothpicks, and arrange them on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and put the whole tray in the fridge. Just try to pull them out about 15 minutes before baking so they aren’t ice-cold going into that hot oven. Then bake as directed!
What is the best way to serve these shrimp?
They are fantastic served warm right off the baking sheet. If you’re looking for a dipping sauce, I love serving mine with the classic shrimp cocktail sauce or even a simple garlic butter for dipping. They always come out looking fancy, even though they are super easy!
Nutritional Estimates for This Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe
I always feel a little guilty eating half a pound of bacon, but hey, that’s why there are leftovers, right? Just remember that these numbers are estimates based on the ingredients we used; they aren’t exact medical facts! We are looking at about 180 calories for a standard serving size, which is four of those delicious, wrapped shrimp.
Each serving packs a good 16 grams of protein, which is great for an appetizer! The fat content is sitting around 12 grams. If you want the full breakdown, here’s a quick peek:
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 16g
- Fat: 12g
- Sodium (a little high, watch a little salt when seasoning!): 350mg
It keeps the carb count super low, which is always a win for me!
Share Your Perfect Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe Experience
Okay, now that you’ve got the secret to bacon that actually crisps up, I really, really want to know how they turned out! Seriously, don’t be shy. Did you try the broiler trick? Did your family devour them in five minutes flat?
Please pop down into the comments section below and leave me a rating. A star rating helps other cooks know this recipe is worth their time, and I love reading what you guys think. Did you serve them with a spicy dip or maybe something totally unexpected? Tell me everything!
If you snapped a photo of your perfectly golden, little bacon-wrapped masterpieces, tag me on social media! Seeing your creations is honestly the best part of sharing recipes. We’re all cooking together, right? Let me know how you made this Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon Recipe your own!
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Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Simple recipe for shrimp wrapped in bacon, cooked until crisp.
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound thin-cut bacon, cut in half crosswise
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Toothpicks
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Take one half-slice of bacon and wrap it around each shrimp. Secure the bacon with a toothpick inserted through the shrimp and bacon.
- Place the wrapped shrimp on the prepared baking sheet. Brush lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through, until the bacon is crisp and the shrimp is cooked through.
Notes
- You can brush the shrimp with a glaze, such as a mix of brown sugar and soy sauce, during the last 5 minutes of baking for extra flavor.
- If you prefer a crispier bacon, you can finish the shrimp under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 shrimp
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 16
- Cholesterol: 150
Keywords: shrimp, bacon, appetizer, baked, seafood, party food