Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Recipe

Whether you're looking for something that's tasty as an appetizer or something that is equally fulfilling for dinner, these bacon-wrapped shrimp hit the spot all day, every day. The great part about this dish is that you get to pick the size of the shrimp you love most, and anything from small to jumbo will do. Then, you wrap the shrimp with a piece of bacon and finish it off with a maple syrup and cayenne pepper glaze. If that's not enough to make your mouth water, then we don't know what is!

Recipe developer Kit Hondrum came up with this tasty and innovative bacon-wrapped shrimp recipe. "This recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled for a party," she raves. "I love this as an appetizer because it's easy to make and always impressive!" She also says that she loves wild-caught shrimp for this dish. "I always use wild-caught shrimp for the health benefits," she explains. "If you're in the US, make sure to look for American shrimp. Here in San Diego, we also have some nice wild-caught Baja shrimp from Mexico." Whatever shrimp you decide to use, one thing is for certain: this bacon-wrapped delight is sure to impress!

One of the best parts about this recipe is the fact that it requires just a few ingredients. The first thing you will need to grab from the store is a pound of large, peeled shrimp — this makes it a lot easier than having to peel it yourself. "This recipe can be made with frozen or fresh shrimp," Hondrum says. "Thaw shrimp under running cold water for about 10 minutes."

In addition, you will need some thin-sliced bacon. Then, grab some maple syrup. The recipe only calls for two tablespoons, so double-check in case you have some at home. Last but on least, make sure to have some cayenne pepper on hand to give this dish a deliciously spicy kick.

Since you will need to use your oven to make this recipe, it's best to preheat it. That way, it will get nice and hot while you prep the rest of the ingredients. You will use the broil setting for this recipe, so turn it on high and let the oven preheat. Alternatively, Hondrum says that you can use an air fryer. "I'd say 400 F for about 8-10 minutes," she says regarding the air fryer and cook time. Then, prepare a baking sheet. Place a wire rack over the top and lightly grease it with some oil. This ensures that the shrimp won't stick.

For this step, you will need to grab the bacon from the fridge. "Make sure to use thin-sliced bacon as thick-cut will not get as crispy," Hondrum notes. Place the bacon on the pre-greased wire rack. Assuming that the oven has finished preheating, pop the bacon in and let it broil for about five to seven minutes. Continue checking to see if the edges curl up and begin to brown slightly, as that's another indicator that the bacon has finished cooking. Please note that you need to flip the baking sheet halfway through so the bacon cooks evenly.

Once your timer goes off, or you've seen that the bacon has finished cooking, grab your oven mitts and remove the bacon. Then, grab your shrimp, because it's time to use it as well. Wrap each piece of shrimp with a strip of cooked bacon. Then, repeat the same steps with all of the remaining slices of bacon until you have used it all up. Next, place the bacon-wrapped shrimp on a wire rack. Put the shrimp seam-side down, so the bacon doesn't unravel in the oven.

Now, take a small bowl and start mixing the sauce. This is a sweet and spicy glaze that takes the shrimp's flavor to an extraordinary level. First, throw in the maple syrup, followed by the cayenne pepper. Using a brush, rub the mixture onto each piece of shrimp. Then, place the pan in the oven and broil it for another eight minutes. At the four-minute mark, flip the pan. Again, this ensures that the shrimp will cook evenly. "Adjust cook time based on the size of your shrimp. Large shrimp take about 8 minutes to broil. Smaller shrimp will take less time," Hondrum notes. "Larger (jumbo shrimp) will take longer to cook."

Once your timer goes off, grab your mitts and take the shrimp out of the oven. Now, you can serve to you and your lucky guests. Hondrum recommends serving this with your favorite dipping sauce. "Some options for dipping sauce are Thai chili sauce, peppercorn ranch, a homemade yogurt-based sauce, homemade olive oil mayonnaise, or even cocktail sauce," she shares. Alternatively, these are also fantastic on their own.

Anything left? "The leftovers taste great, but the bacon won't be crispy," Hondrum notes. "I actually use the leftovers to make sushi rolls and tacos! The leftovers should be good for 1-2 days." We hope you enjoy this easy but decadent bacon-wrapped shrimp recipe!