These Easy Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp are the ultimate appetizer or party snack! They're incredibly flavorful, with juicy shrimp wrapped in crispy bacon and seasoned with a simple yet delicious blend of spices. I love how this recipe is both easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They're perfect for game day, holiday gatherings, or any time you're craving a savory and satisfying bite. Get ready for a treat that's sure to disappear fast!
Why You'll Love These Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
- Crispy and Savory: The combination of crispy bacon and tender, seasoned shrimp is irresistible.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Quick: Ready in under 30 minutes, these shrimp are perfect for a last-minute appetizer.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These bacon-wrapped shrimp are always a hit at parties and gatherings.
- Versatile: Serve them as an appetizer, a snack, or even a light meal.
Ingredients for Easy Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Here's what you'll need to make these delicious bites. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Shrimp
- Extra-jumbo shrimp (16-20 per pound), peeled and deveined with tails on (Shellfish)
- Center-cut bacon (not thick cut) (Meat)
Seasoning Mix
- Olive oil (Oil)
- Honey (Sweetener)
- Kosher salt (Seasoning)
- Freshly ground black pepper (Spice)
- Garlic powder (Spice)
- Smoked paprika (Spice)
For Serving
- Toothpicks (for securing)
- Lemon wedges (for serving) (Fruit)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love these Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the seasoning mix.
- Add a Glaze: Brush the shrimp with a glaze during the last few minutes of cooking, such as a honey-garlic glaze or a teriyaki glaze.
- Different Seasoning: Use a different seasoning blend, such as Cajun seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, or lemon pepper seasoning.
- Add Cheese: Stuff a small piece of cheese, like cheddar or Monterey Jack, inside the shrimp before wrapping it with bacon.
How to Make Easy Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Let me show you how simple it is to make these Easy Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp:
Preheat Oven and Prepare Bacon
- I heat my oven to 400°F (200°C) with the rack in the middle.
- I cut my bacon lengthwise into thin strips - I'll need one for each shrimp.
- I lay these strips on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer.
- I pop the bacon in the oven for 6-8 minutes, until it's starting to brown but still bendy. This is called par-cooking the bacon, and it helps ensure that the bacon gets crispy while the shrimp cooks.
Season the Shrimp
- While that's happening, I mix up my olive oil, honey, and all those lovely seasonings in a bowl.
- I toss my shrimp in this mixture, making sure they're well coated.
Drain Bacon and Prepare Baking Sheet
- I move my partially cooked bacon to some paper towels to drain.
- I clean off that baking sheet, line it with parchment paper, and switch my oven to broil.
Wrap Shrimp with Bacon
- I take each seasoned shrimp and wrap it in a bacon strip, starting from the thicker end.
- I secure with toothpick.
- I secure the bacon with a toothpick and place it seam-side down on my baking sheet. I space them out nicely.
Broil
- I broil those wrapped shrimp for 4-6 minutes, giving the pan a spin halfway through. I'm looking for crispy bacon and perfectly cooked shrimp.
Serve
- Serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Here are my secrets for making these shrimp truly exceptional:
- Use Extra-Jumbo Shrimp: Extra-jumbo shrimp are the perfect size for wrapping with bacon.
- Don't Use Thick-Cut Bacon: Thick-cut bacon will take too long to cook and the shrimp will be overcooked. Use center-cut or regular bacon.
- Par-Cook the Bacon: Partially cooking the bacon before wrapping the shrimp ensures that it gets crispy in the oven.
- Secure with Toothpicks: Using toothpicks helps to keep the bacon wrapped around the shrimp during cooking.
- Broil for Crispiness: Broiling the shrimp for the last few minutes creates a crispy, caramelized crust.
How to Serve
These Easy Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp are perfect for:
- Appetizers: A great appetizer for parties, game days, or potlucks.
- Snacks: A satisfying and flavorful snack.
- Light Meals: Serve them with a salad or other side dishes for a light meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can assemble the bacon-wrapped shrimp ahead of time and store them, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. Leftover cooked shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven, air fryer, or microwave.
FAQs about Easy Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
- Can I use a different type of shrimp?
- Yes, you can use any size of shrimp you like, but extra-jumbo shrimp are recommended for this recipe.
- Can I make these without the bacon?
- Yes, you can grill without.
- Can I bake these instead of broiling them?
- Yes, you can bake them at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the shrimp are cooked through.
Enjoy these crispy, savory, and incredibly delicious Easy Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp! They're a perfect appetizer or snack for any occasion.
Print
Easy Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16-20 shrimp 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Bacon Wrapped Shrimp are a delicious and crowd-pleasing appetizer. Extra-jumbo shrimp are seasoned with a sweet and smoky mixture, wrapped in partially cooked bacon, and broiled until crispy and cooked through.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound extra-jumbo shrimp (16-20 per pound), peeled and deveined, with tails on
- 1 pound center-cut bacon (not thick-cut)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Toothpicks, for securing
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Dipping Sauce of choice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Bacon: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (for easier cleanup).
- Cut Bacon: Cut each bacon slice lengthwise into thin strips. You should have one strip of bacon for each shrimp.
- Partially Cook Bacon: Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until the bacon is starting to brown but is still pliable and not fully crispy. This pre-cooking step ensures the bacon will be cooked through when the shrimp is done.
- Make Seasoning Mixture: While the bacon is cooking, prepare the seasoning mixture. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until well combined.
- Season Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the bowl with the seasoning mixture. Toss gently to coat the shrimp evenly.
- Drain Bacon: Remove the partially cooked bacon from the oven. Transfer the bacon strips to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Discard the foil from the baking sheet (or wipe it clean). Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Switch Oven to Broil: Turn your oven to the broil setting.
- Wrap Shrimp: Wrap each seasoned shrimp with a strip of the partially cooked bacon, starting at the thicker end of the shrimp and spiraling towards the tail. Secure the bacon with a toothpick if necessary.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the bacon-wrapped shrimp on the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down, leaving a little space between each shrimp.
- Broil: Broil the shrimp for 4-6 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until the bacon is crispy and the shrimp is cooked through (opaque and pink). Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Serve the bacon-wrapped shrimp immediately with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce, if desired.
Notes
- Shrimp: Use extra-jumbo shrimp (16-20 per pound) for this recipe. Smaller shrimp may overcook before the bacon is crispy.
- Bacon: Use center-cut bacon, not thick-cut. Thick-cut bacon will take too long to cook and may result in overcooked shrimp. Partially cooking the bacon before wrapping the shrimp ensures that it will be crispy when the shrimp is cooked through.
- Seasoning: You can adjust the amount of seasonings to your preference.
- Broiling: Keep a close eye on the shrimp while broiling, as they can burn quickly.
- Serving Suggestions: These bacon-wrapped shrimp are delicious as an appetizer or snack. You can serve them with a variety of dipping sauces, such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, remoulade, or a sweet chili sauce.
- Storage: Store in fridge for up to 3 days.
