Are you craving bacon-wrapped scallops but only have frozen ones on hand?
No need to worry! With a few simple steps, you can cook delicious bacon-wrapped scallops straight from the freezer in your oven.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of cooking frozen bacon-wrapped scallops to perfection. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is easy to follow and will leave your taste buds satisfied.
So, let’s get started!
How To Cook Frozen Bacon Wrapped Scallops In Oven?
Step 1: Defrost the Scallops
Before cooking, it’s important to defrost the scallops. Place them on a baking sheet spaced 1/2 inch apart and let them defrost for 45 minutes. This will ensure that they cook evenly and thoroughly.
Step 2: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature will ensure that your bacon-wrapped scallops cook through without burning.
Step 3: Prepare the Bacon
While your oven is preheating, prepare the bacon. Cut the bacon strips in half and lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning the bacon over halfway through cooking. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Step 4: Prepare the Scallops
Once your scallops are defrosted, rinse them under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Remove any extra side muscle that might be on them. Cut each bacon strip in half and wrap each scallop with 1/2 strip of bacon.
Step 5: Bake the Scallops
Place the bacon-wrapped scallops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are spaced apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the scallops are tender and opaque and the bacon is cooked through.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Once your bacon-wrapped scallops are cooked to perfection, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. These delicious treats can be served as an appetizer or as a main course with a side dish of your choice.
Ingredients Needed For Frozen Bacon-wrapped Scallops
To make frozen bacon-wrapped scallops, you will need the following ingredients:
– Frozen scallops
– Bacon strips
– Toothpicks
– Olive oil
– Salt and pepper
You can also add a glaze or seasoning of your choice for added flavor. It’s important to note that when using frozen scallops, it’s crucial to defrost them properly before cooking to ensure even cooking and prevent any food safety issues. Additionally, pre-cooking the bacon before wrapping it around the scallops will help prevent undercooked bacon or overcooked scallops. With these simple ingredients and steps, you can easily make delicious bacon-wrapped scallops in your oven.
Preparing The Bacon-wrapped Scallops For Cooking
To prepare the bacon-wrapped scallops for cooking, it’s important to partially cook the bacon before wrapping it around the scallops. This will ensure that the bacon is crispy without overcooking the scallops. Cut the bacon slices in half and lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning the bacon over halfway through cooking. Once the bacon is cooked, remove it from the oven and set it aside.
Next, prepare the scallops by rinsing them under cold water and patting them dry with a paper towel. Remove any extra side muscle that might be on them. Cut each bacon strip in half and wrap each scallop with 1/2 strip of bacon. Place the bacon-wrapped scallops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are spaced apart.
Bake the scallops in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes or until the scallops are tender and opaque and the bacon is cooked through. Once your bacon-wrapped scallops are cooked to perfection, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. These delicious treats can be served as an appetizer or as a main course with a side dish of your choice.
Cooking The Frozen Bacon-wrapped Scallops In The Oven
Cooking frozen bacon-wrapped scallops in the oven is a simple process that requires some preparation. The first step is to defrost the scallops by placing them on a baking sheet spaced 1/2 inch apart and letting them defrost for 45 minutes. Once the scallops are defrosted, rinse them under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Remove any extra side muscle that might be on them.
While your oven is preheating to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, prepare the bacon. Cut the bacon strips in half and lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning the bacon over halfway through cooking. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Next, wrap each scallop with 1/2 strip of bacon. Place the bacon-wrapped scallops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are spaced apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the scallops are tender and opaque and the bacon is cooked through.
Once your bacon-wrapped scallops are cooked to perfection, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. These delicious treats can be served as an appetizer or as a main course with a side dish of your choice. With these simple steps, you can enjoy perfectly cooked frozen bacon-wrapped scallops that are sure to impress your guests.
Tips For Achieving The Perfect Texture And Flavor
1. Pre-bake the Bacon
To ensure that your scallops are juicy and tender with crispy bacon wrapped around them, it’s important to pre-bake the bacon. Bacon takes longer to cook than scallops, so trying to cook them at the same time will leave you with dry and rubbery scallops. Pre-bake the bacon for about 10-15 minutes before wrapping it around the scallops.
2. Use a Cooking Rack
Using a cooking rack will help air circulate around the scallops and bacon, resulting in a crispier texture. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a cooking rack on top of it. Place the bacon-wrapped scallops on the rack, making sure they are spaced apart.
3. Season the Scallops
Before wrapping the scallops with bacon, season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and brown sugar all over. This will give them a delicious flavor that complements the bacon.
4. Use an Instant Read Thermometer
If you’re new to cooking scallops and want to ensure that you don’t overcook them, check their internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. You want to pull them out of the oven when they reach an internal temperature of 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Brush with Butter or Pepper Jelly
For an extra burst of flavor, brush the scallops with melted butter or pepper jelly before baking them in the oven. This will add a delicious layer of flavor that complements both the scallops and bacon.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to achieve perfectly cooked frozen bacon-wrapped scallops in the oven that are juicy, tender, and full of flavor.
Serving Suggestions For Bacon-wrapped Scallops
Bacon-wrapped scallops are a delicious and elegant dish that can be served as an appetizer or as a main course. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of this delectable dish:
1. As an Appetizer: Serve the bacon-wrapped scallops on a platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing. You can also serve them with a dipping sauce like remoulade or tartar sauce.
2. As a Main Course: Pair the bacon-wrapped scallops with a side dish to make a complete meal. Some great options include garlic parmesan risotto, spaghetti aglio e olio, orzo, rocket salad, celery root puree, heirloom tomato panzanella, grilled asparagus, or apple slaw. For a surf-and-turf option, you can also serve them with steak.
3. With Mashed Potatoes: Bacon-wrapped scallops go perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes. Simply place the scallops over the mashed potatoes and serve.
4. Over Pasta: Another great option is to serve the bacon-wrapped scallops over pasta in cream sauce. The combination of the buttery scallops and the creamy sauce is sure to be a hit.
5. With Green Vegetables: Adding a green vegetable like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans on the side will help balance out the richness of the dish and add some healthy nutrients.
No matter how you choose to serve them, bacon-wrapped scallops are sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more.