These Bacon Wrapped Shrimp make a tasty and easy appetizer that is sure to please a crowd. I’ve even made this sweet chili shrimp for dinner and it’s always a hit. It comes together quickly when I do some preparation ahead of time, so it works wonders for a busy weeknight.
This sweet chili shrimp recipe uses a perfectly balanced marinade to ensure the shrimp are super flavorful. You will also baste the shrimp before they broil so they will become nice and caramelized, too.
If you like sweet chili recipes, you will love this Sweet Chili Chicken and Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Pork.
Why You’ll Love This Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Recipe
- Kid-approved: These shrimp are not overly spicy and even kids and picky eaters enjoy them.
- Great to make ahead: Get your shrimp in the marinade ahead of time to save you time when you cook.
- Budget-friendly: The ingredients in this recipe are inexpensive so it’s great for any size budget.
Ingredients
This recipe for bacon-wrapped shrimp may contain simple ingredients, but I promise it’s so tasty! You may find everything listed here any time of year at your local grocery store.
- Bacon: Any variety of bacon will work great. I love hickory or applewood smoked with shrimp.
- Shrimp: I use jumbo or extra large because they are much easier to wrap than smaller shrimp. Plus, they don’t have a chance of overcooking.
- Oil: A bit of oil aids in cooking the shrimp, locking in moisture.
- Sweet chili sauce: The sweet heat of the chili sauce pairs great with the fresh shrimp and salty bacon flavors. You may also use sriracha for this recipe, too.
- Honey: I add honey for sweetness and balance. Chili sauce is more spicy than sweet so the honey tames it.
- Garlic: I love adding garlic to marinades and sauces! It brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Cilantro lime: Fresh cilantro and lime juice pair wonderfully with shrimp and bacon.
- Maple mustard: Add maple syrup and Dijon mustard to the sauce mixture instead of honey and chili sauce for a sweet zing.
- Herb and lemon: Add lemon juice and fresh herbs like parsley and dill for a fresh version.
How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce
Here are the instructions on how to make these bacon-wrapped shrimp in the oven. The cooking process is fairly fast once all of the ingredients are prepped.
To start, ensure your oven is preheated to 400 degrees F to cook the bacon and don’t forget to switch it to the broil setting before you add the wrapped shrimp.
Step 1: Cook the bacon. Add the bacon slices to the lined baking sheet. Cook the bacon for 15-20 minutes or until it is just cooked but still pliable. Let them cool and remove them from the pan.
Step 2: Make the chili marinade. Combine the oil, sweet chili sauce (or sriracha if you are making sriracha shrimp), honey, salt, pepper, and garlic in a large bowl.
Step 3: Marinate the shrimp. Toss the shrimp in the marinade and let them sit for 20-30 minutes.
Step 4: Wrap the shrimp in bacon. Wrap each marinated shrimp in a half slice of bacon and tuck the ends underneath. Add them to the baking sheet and repeat until they are all wrapped.
Step 5: Baste and broil the shrimp. Brush the shrimp with some of the extra sweet chili marinade and broil the shrimp in the oven for 2-3 minutes.
Step 6: Flip and baste. Remove the pan, flip the shrimp, and baste each one with more sauce. Broil them for another 2-3 minutes or until the shrimp are fully cooked.
⭐️ Hint: Once the shrimp are pink and are a “C” shape, they are done. Do not overcook the shrimp under the broiler or they will become chewy.
If you love this recipe you may also enjoy these Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Coconut Shrimp, Shrimp Stir Fry or Southern Fried Shrimp or check out these kid friendly shrimp recipes!
Storage Directions
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container or in the freezer for up to three months.
- Reheating: These shrimp are best reheated in the oven or the air fryer. Only heat until warm so the shrimp don’t dry out. If frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator before you reheat them in the oven.
- Make Ahead: Cook the bacon and marinate the shrimp up to 24 hours ahead of time.
Serving Suggestions
These shrimp are great over rice. I love the flavors of this Coconut Ginger Rice. The coconut is delicious with the chili sauce!
Serve these shrimp wrapped in bacon alongside or on top of Crock Pot Spaghetti Squash or Slow Cooker Cabbage.
Some of my favorite veggies to pair with this recipe are Instant Pot Asparagus and Bang Bang Cauliflower.
Looking for more serving ideas? Explore this collection of what to serve with grilled shrimp for more side dishes. You can never have too many options!
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcook the bacon: You want the fat rendered but the slices still pliable. If they are too crispy, you won’t be able to wrap the shrimp.
- Ensure the shrimp smells fresh: Always check your shrimp before cooking. If they smell like the sea, they are good to use. Toss them if they are slimy or have a foul smell.
- Use toothpicks: If you are struggling to get the bacon to stay on the shrimp, secure them with toothpicks.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes. Flip and baste them with sauce. Then, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Yes! It’s a similar process to the broiler and air fryer. Cook over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and the shrimp are pink.
More Wrapped in Bacon Recipes
Do you love the smoky, salty flavors of bacon? Here are some recipes of foods you can wrap in bacon.
How to Make Video
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Sweet Chili Shrimp with Bacon
Equipment
- rack
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with tinfoil and a rack lightly coated in cooking spray. Set aside.
- Depending on the number of shrimp you have decide how much bacon you need. One slice of bacon is enough for two (2) shrimp. Cut bacon slices in half.
Bake the Bacon
- Place bacon on a rimmed baking sheet with a rack and bake until cooked but still pliable. You need to be able to wrap each slice around each piece of shrimp. Between 15 and 20 minutes. Remove pan from oven and allow to cool until you can handle the bacon with your fingers.
Microwave the Bacon
- Lay bacon between 2 pieces of paper towel and microwave for a few minutes. Again, the bacon must be pliable so you can wrap each slice around each piece of shrimp.
- Either way you cook your bacon, make sure it's not crisp.
- If you baked your bacon keep the baking pan with the rack to cook your shrimp on. If you microwaved it. Prepare a baking sheet with tinfoil and a rack lightly coated in baking spray and set aside.
Make the Shrimp
- While your bacon is cooking combine olive oil, sriracha or sweet chili sauce, honey, salt, pepper and garlic in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Place all of your shrimp inside a bowl big enough to hold all of them. Use paper towel to make sure and dry your shrimp as best you can. I usually put a layer of a few sheets of paper towel on the bottom of the bowl to absorb water as well.
- Sprinkle the shrimp with salt and pepper. Toss your shrimp and add some more salt and pepper sprinkles all over. Add oil mixture to your shrimp and toss until all of your shrimp are coated.
- Allow to marinate in bowl for between 20 and 30 minutes, covered, on your counter. Turn your oven up to broil.
- Remove shrimp, one at a time, and wrap in a half slice of bacon, as tightly as possible. Secure the bacon with a toothpick or at least tuck the ends underneath the shrimp on the baking sheet. Place on your prepared baking sheet or the sheet you used to cook the bacon.
- Hang on to the marinade. Do not throw it away. Using a brush, baste each piece of shrimp with marinade.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes. Remove from oven, flip shrimp and baste again. Flip your tray around and place shrimp back into your oven for another 2-3 minutes. No more.
- You only broil until the shrimp are pink or in a perfect C shape. If the are straight they are usually undercooked. If they form a ring or O they are overcooked.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t overcook the bacon: You want the fat rendered but the slices still pliable. If they are too crispy, you won’t be able to wrap the shrimp.
- Ensure the shrimp smells fresh: Always check your shrimp before cooking. If they smell like the sea, they are good to use. Toss them if they are slimy or have a foul smell.
- Use toothpicks: If you are struggling to get the bacon to stay on the shrimp, secure them with toothpicks.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in February 2018. It has been updated with new content and images.
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