These Bacon Wrapped Shrimp are the BEST party appetizer! Juicy shrimp, crispy salty bacon, and a sweet spice mix baked into one perfect bite!
When it comes to party Appetizers, anything bacon wrapped or shrimp are always a hit with guests. These Bacon Wrapped Shrimp combine two favorites into a single delicious bite! For more shrimp appetizers, check out my BBQ Cajun Shrimp and Bang Bang Shrimp!
Table of contents
Sabrina’s Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Recipe
This recipe’s amazing combination of flavors is absolutely irresistible and makes the perfect flavorful shrimp appetizer. Who could say no to juicy and tender shrimp wrapped in salt and crispy bacon? I enhanced the semi-sweet taste of the shrimp with a butter and brown sugar coating, which perfectly contrasts the salty bacon. Plus, you’ll love how easy it is all comes together. It’s an easy, simple appetizer that tastes gourmet!
This is the perfect party snack for your next game day, wine night, or holiday party. To complete the appetizer, serve Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with your favorite dipping sauce. They taste great with a Smoky BBQ Sauce but you should definitely try them with a garlicky sauce like my Zankou’s Garlic Paste!
Ingredients
- Bacon: You’ll need 1 pound of bacon to cover all the shrimp. Be sure to cut the bacon in half. That way, the shrimp and bacon are in more even amounts.
- Shrimp: I like using fresh shrimp for this recipe. However, if you have frozen shrimp, all you have to do is let it thaw. I wouldn’t add to the cooking time to defrost the shrimp because the bacon will burn.
- Butter: Melted butter coats the shrimp and helps the spice mixture stick. Plus it adds an amazing richness.
- Brown Sugar: Sugar is the perfect way to compliment the savory bacon and play up the natural flavors in the shrimp
- Spices: Along with salt and pepper, I use paprika to give the shrimp a savory smoky flavor. For a bit of heat, use hot smoked paprika.
How to Make
Time needed: 20 minutes.
- Prep time:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook bacon slices:
Add the raw bacon to a large skillet and par-cook for 3 minutes on each side. Remove the slices of regular-cut bacon from the heat source while they are still slightly soft. Otherwise, they won’t be able to wrap around the shrimp, and they’ll overcook in the oven.
- Prep shrimp:
Add the raw shrimp, melted butter, brown sugar, kosher salt, paprika, and black pepper to a large mixing bowl. Mix until each piece of shrimp is well coated in the butter mixture.
- Wrap with bacon:
Wrap each piece of shrimp with bacon. Then, stick a toothpick through the center to secure the bacon.
- Baking time:
Place the Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp in a single layer on the parchment-lined baking tray. Then, put the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the shrimp is pink and the bacon has a crispy texture. Garnish as desired and serve with sauce and lemon wedges on the side.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon , cut in half
- 2 pounds shrimp , peeled and deveined (13-15 count)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar , packed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- toothpicks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large skillet par-cook the bacon about halfway, about 3 minutes on each side. The bacon should be soft and easy to wrap around shrimp still, if it is crispy it won't wrap when it cools and will overcook in the oven.
- Remove from the pan and let cool.
- In a large bowl add the shrimp, melted butter, brown sugar, salt, paprika and black pepper.
- Mix together well then take each shrimp, wrap with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Place the shrimp onto your baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Nutrition
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Can this be made ahead of time?
- Prep the Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp, then wrap them in bacon and secure them with toothpicks.
- Store: Place the wrapped shrimp on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate.
- Cooking: When you’re ready to cook, simply preheat your oven or grill and cook as directed. If they’ve been in the fridge, you may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time.
How to Devein Shrimp
To shell and devein shrimp, start by pulling off the head if it’s still attached. Then it should be easier to remove the outer shell by hand. You can remove the tail, although some prefer to leave it on for presentation. Once you’ve shelled the shrimp, you should see a thin black line running down the back. This is the vein. You can remove it using a small knife, skewer, or toothpick. Whichever tool you use, insert the point beneath the vein and pull it up to remove it. This process takes a while to do with 2 pounds of shrimp, so if you want to make the recipe easier on yourself, you can purchase shrimp that’s already been shelled and deveined.
Nutritional Facts
Alternative Cooking Techniques
- Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp: To make this an air fryer recipe, preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees. Then, lay the bacon-wrapped shrimp in the air fryer basket. Reduce the air fryer heat to 360 degrees. That way, the shrimp cools slightly as it cooks. Let the shrimp cool in the air fryer for about 8 minutes. Remove the recipe from the air fryer, and enjoy the flavorful shrimp.
- Broiling: Preheat the broiler. Arrange the bacon-wrapped shrimp on a broiler pan. Broil for 3-5 minutes per side, watching closely to prevent burning. Turn as needed for even cooking.
- Sauteing: Heat a little oil over medium heat in a skillet. Add the bacon-wrapped shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until the bacon is crispy and the shrimp are opaque.
- Slow Cooking: Place wrapped shrimp in a slow cooker on low for about 2-3 hours. This method is great for infusing flavors for this delicious appetizer, but the bacon won’t get as crispy.
- Smoking: If you have a smoker, cook the bacon-wrapped shrimp at a low temperature (around 225 degrees) for 30-45 minutes. This adds a rich, smoky flavor
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp FAQ’s
Regular or thick-cut bacon works well. Consider using a smoky variety for added flavor.
Take a piece of bacon and wrap it around each shrimp. Secure it with a toothpick if necessary.
You can grill, bake, or fry the bacon-wrapped shrimp. Grilling adds a nice smoky flavor, while baking is convenient and easy.
Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque. They typically cook quickly, so keep an eye on them.
Variations
- Seasonings: There are lots of seasonings that you can coat the shrimp in before you add the bacon. Try mixing chili powder, red pepper flakes, onion powder, or Cajun seasoning into the melted butter blend. You can also garnish the recipe with freshly chopped parsley.
- Glaze: Brush the shrimp with your favorite BBQ Sauce before baking for a delicious sticky sweet glaze. You could also try teriyaki sauce or toss them in Buffalo Wing Sauce.
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