FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook
- Why You’ll Love My Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Cook Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- My Recipe Tips
- Flavor Variations
- Storage Instructions
- Serving Suggestions
- More Bacon Wrapped Recipes
- Bacon Wrapped Scallops Recipe card
- Recipe Reviews
Bacon wrapped recipes are a favorite at my house, and seared scallops are fantastic on their own, but wrapped with bacon ? I just had to. After creating this bacon wrapped scallops recipe with my fave lemon butter sauce , let me tell you… major upgrade!
Why You’ll Love My Bacon Wrapped Scallops

- Big flavors – Naturally sweet scallops play so well against savory, salty bacon. It’s the ultimate surf and turf in one bite!
- Tender and crispy – Scallops melt in your mouth, while bacon brings a crispy contrast. I call it a total party-in-your-mouth experience.
- Just 4 simple ingredients – Yup, that’s all it takes (plus salt and pepper) to whip up some scallops wrapped in bacon! I’m all about the right ingredients, instead of too many of them.
- So easy to make – This appetizer may look fancy, but it’s a breeze to make. Simply season, wrap, and cook in just 20 minutes!
- Versatile crowd-pleaser – I love dishes that impress my guests without spending too much time in the kitchen. Whether you’re hosting a fancy dinner party or enjoying a casual weeknight meal, these bacon wrapped scallops will disappear.

Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for scallops wrapped in bacon, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
- Scallops – Fresh scallops are a treat to use if you can get them, but I can usually only find frozen ones, which still work fine. Just thaw them completely in the fridge, or in a bag submerged in cold water. Bay scallops are pretty small, so I recommend sea scallops for easier wrapping.
- Lemon Juice – This adds flavor and also improves the texture of the scallops. I have a bottle of lemon juice in my fridge at all times, so I usually use that, but go for freshly squeezed lemon juice if you have the time.
- Spices – Garlic powder , sea salt, and black pepper. I keep it simple to enhance the flavor of the dish without overpowering the delicate taste. Feel free to add other spices or dried herbs, though, such as paprika, cayenne pepper, parsley, or thyme.
- Bacon – I usually make bacon in the oven for most recipes that call for it, but my bacon wrapped scallops recipe doesn’t require you to cook the bacon first. Simply cut it in half to make shorter thick cut bacon slices for wrapping. Avoid thick-cut bacon, as it will take too long to cook and your scallops will turn out rubbery.
- Lemon Butter Sauce – This garlic butter sauce is totally optional, but when you drizzle it over these scallops, it takes every bite to a whole new level! Highly recommend.
How To Cook Bacon Wrapped Scallops
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
- Prep and season. Place an oven-safe rack over a baking sheet . Dry the scallops with paper towels. Toss them with the lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Wrap the scallops. Line up the halved bacon slices on a cutting board. Wrap each scallop with a slice of bacon, secure with a toothpick, and transfer to the baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining scallops and bacon.

- Cook to perfection. Broil the bacon wrapped scallops on high, flipping halfway through, until the bacon is nice and crispy. (You can also bake instead at 400 degrees F, but I prefer the broiler because it’s faster!)
- Garnish. If you like, drizzle with lemon butter sauce right before serving. I also like to add a sprinkle of parsley for a nice presentation.
My Recipe Tips
- Drying the scallops is crucial. Removing excess moisture will help the bacon crisp up and prevents it from getting soggy. Also, counterintuitively, this actually helps lock moisture inside the scallops, so they stay juicy and tender.
- Cook them right away. Don’t add the scallops to the lemon juice until right before broiling, as they will start “cooking” from the acid in the lemon juice pretty quickly. (This is how I make ceviche , but we don’t want this for bacon wrapped scallops!)
- Wrap bacon snugly, but don’t stretch. If you stretch it, it can unravel during cooking.
- Broil on a rack for best results. It helps the bacon crisp up on all sides and the scallops cook more evenly. I love this set , where the rack and baking sheet fit together perfectly.
- Position the baking sheet about 6 inches away from the heating element. This is just the right distance to cook quickly and crisp up the bacon without burning.
Flavor Variations
- Try tossing the scallops in a sweet and spicy glaze of honey (or my natural sugar-free honey ) and sriracha.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese in the last few minutes of baking. (I recommend Parmesan if you go this route.)
- For a tropical twist, tuck a small piece of pineapple between the scallop and bacon before wrapping.
Storage Instructions
Bacon wrapped sea scallops taste best fresh, so I don’t recommend storing them for later. They become rubbery if overcooked, which happens easily when reheating. And to me, they just don’t taste the same!
If you must, you can keep any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, and gently warm them in a skillet or under the broiler.

Serving Suggestions
I like to serve these as an elegant appetizer, but sometimes I just add a side dish and turn them into a meal. Here are some ideas:
- Appetizer Spread – I pair them with air fryer steak bites or sirloin tips when I want a surf and turf experience in quick appetizer form. If you want something fresh and light, try my spinach stuffed mushrooms , roasted artichokes , or Caprese salad skewers .
- Vegetable Side Dish – My go-to veggie side for any seafood is roasted asparagus . But lately, I’ve served this bacon wrapped scallops recipe with pan fried brussels sprouts , sauteed broccoli , and sauteed mushrooms on different occasions.
- Starches – For a more filling meal, simply pair these bacon-y bites with a side of rice (I prefer cauliflower rice ) or oven roasted potatoes .
- Salads – I like to remove the toothpicks from the bacon wrapped scallops and serve them over an arugula salad for a light lunch. They are also yummy with my Italian-inspired artichoke salad on the side.
- Steak – Scallops make an amazing appetizer before a steak dinner, but I think these are even better served with your steak. Just add a top sirloin or filet mignon .
More Bacon Wrapped Recipes
To level up any food, just wrap it in bacon! I use this “strategy” for many of my other bacon wrapped recipes:

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Shrimp Wrapped In Bacon

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Recipe Video
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 16 large Sea scallops (thawed in the fridge if frozen; ~1 lb) ▢
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice ▢
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder ▢
- 1/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
- 1/8 tsp Black pepper ▢
- 8 strips Bacon (cut in half to make shorter pieces) ▢
- 1/4 cup Lemon butter sauce (optional) ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- Preheat the oven to the Broil setting. Place an oven-safe rack over a baking sheet .
- Pat the scallops dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss them with the lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange the short (halved) bacon slices in a row on a cutting board . Place a scallop at the end of one slice and roll up. Secure with a toothpick and place onto the rack over the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining scallops and bacon.
- Broil 6 inches from the heating element for 5 minutes . Flip the scallops and broil for 4-7 more minutes , until the bacon is crispy.
- If desired, drizzle with lemon butter sauce right before serving.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 4 bacon wrapped scallops
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- The Basic Keto Meal Formula
- Understanding Macros
- Keto Food Swaps
- Keto Food List
- Electrolyte Basics
- Keto Diet Types
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- Recipe Reviews
Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.
You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)
The Basic Keto Meal Formula
Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.
Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.
Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.
| Pick A Protein | Pick A Veggie | Add Fat |
|---|---|---|
| Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder Venison | Cauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama Celery | Butter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil |
Understanding Macros
Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.
Carbs Are A Limit.
Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.
A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.
“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.
A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.
Protein Is A Goal.
Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].
“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.
Fat Is A Lever.
Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.
A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).
Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.
Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.
“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.
Keto Food Swaps
One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.
So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .
Keto Swaps For Breakfast
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Pancakes | Almond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes |
| Oatmeal | Keto oatmeal with hemp seeds |
| Cinnamon rolls | Fathead cinnamon rolls |
| Cereal | Keto nut granola |
| Muffins | Almond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins |
| Donuts | Almond flour donuts |
| Scones | Almond flour scones |
| High-sugar smoothies | Smoothie with berries or avocado |
| Hash browns | Cauliflower hash browns |
| Breakfast casserole | Breakfast casserole with no potatoes |
| Egg whites | Whole eggs |
| Turkey bacon | Bacon |
| Waffles | Chaffles |

Keto Swaps For Bread
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Bagels | Fathead bagels |
| English muffin | Almond flour English muffin |
| White bread | Keto white bread |
| Multigrain bread | Coconut flour bread with seeds |
| Tortillas for wraps | Coconut flour tortillas |
| Corn taco shells | Cheddar cheese taco shells |
| Burger buns | Oopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps |
| Breadsticks | Cauliflower breadsticks |
| Biscuits | Almond flour biscuits |
| Cornbread | Almond flour cornbread |
| Croutons | Parmesan crisps |
| Rice | Cauliflower rice , konjac rice |

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Breaded wings | Crispy air fryer wings (unbreaded) |
| Low-fat meat & poultry | High-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat |
| Mashed potatoes | Mashed cauliflower |
| Roasted potatoes | Roasted or fried radishes |
| Tacos | Taco salad |
| Pizza | Fathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza |
| Lasagna | Eggplant lasagna |
| Potato salad | Cauliflower “potato” salad |
| French fries | Jicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries |
| Tater tots | Cauliflower tots |
| Wraps | Lettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas |
| Sushi | Naruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi |
| Breaded chicken or fish | Breaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds |
| Spaghetti | Zoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles |

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Nachos | Cheese crisps |
| High-sugar fruit | Berries & other keto fruits |
| Crackers | Almond flour crackers |
| Hummus | Cauliflower hummus |
| Soft pretzels | Fathead pretzels |
| Popcorn | Puffed cheese |
| Granola bars | Grain-free granola bars |
| Jam | Sugar-free berry chia jam |
| Sweet fruity yogurt | Full-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries |
| Sweet salad dressing | Ranch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette |
| Ketchup | Mustard and/or sugar-free ketchup |
| BBQ sauce | Sugar-free BBQ sauce |
| Sweetened peanut butter | Natural, sugar-free nut butters |
| Light mayo | Avocado oil mayo |
| Maple syrup | Sugar-free, maple flavored syrup |
| Potato chips | Zucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds |

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Sugar | Monk fruit or allulose |
| Powdered sugar | Powdered monk fruit or allulose |
| White flour | Almond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes) |
| Making baked goods soft/chewy | Xanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder |
| Breadcrumbs | Pork rinds or almond flour |
| Margarine | Butter, coconut oil, or ghee |
| Vegetable oil | Olive or avocado oil |
| Bananas | Banana extract |
| Chocolate chips | Sugar-free chocolate chips |
| Cornstarch or flour roux | Xanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end) |
| Simple syrup | Dissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat |

Keto Swaps For Drinks
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Lemonade | Water with lemon |
| Soda | Flavored sparkling water |
| Milk | Almond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream |
| Latte | Butter coffee |
| Coffee creamer | Heavy cream |
| Sweet wine | Dry wine |
| Beer | Ultra light beer |
| Mixed drinks | Hard liquor with soda + lemon |
If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List
When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.
The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto
- Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
- Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
- Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
- Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
- Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
- Avocados
- Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
- Almond flour and coconut flour
- Eggs
- Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.
Foods To Avoid On Keto
- White flour & sugar
- Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
- Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
- Cereal
- Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
- Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
- Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
- Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
- Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
- Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.
That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)
Electrolyte Basics
Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.
For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .
The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.
Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:
| Sodium | Magnesium | Potassium |
|---|---|---|
| Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts Pickles | Seaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greens | Potassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork |
Keto Diet Types
People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.
Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.
Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!
- Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
- Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
- Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
- Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.
For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)
Bacon Wrapped Scallops

This bacon wrapped scallops recipe is an irresistible combo of sweet, delicate scallops and crispy bacon, topped with lemon butter sauce.
Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/bacon-wrapped-scallops/
Ingredients
- 16 large Sea scallops (thawed in the fridge if frozen; ~1 lb)
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp Sea salt
- 1/8 tsp Black pepper
- 8 strips Bacon (cut in half to make shorter pieces)
- 1/4 cup Lemon butter sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to the Broil setting. Place an oven-safe rack over a baking sheet .
- Pat the scallops dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss them with the lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange the short (halved) bacon slices in a row on a cutting board . Place a scallop at the end of one slice and roll up. Secure with a toothpick and place onto the rack over the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining scallops and bacon.
- Broil 6 inches from the heating element for 5 minutes . Flip the scallops and broil for 4-7 more minutes , until the bacon is crispy.
- If desired, drizzle with lemon butter sauce right before serving.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 4 bacon wrapped scallops
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)