can you make bacon wrapped scallops ahead of time

Making Bacon Wrapped Scallops Ahead of Time: A Guide to Preparing and Storing This Tasty Appetizer

Bacon wrapped scallops make for an incredibly delicious and crowd-pleasing appetizer The combination of flaky, sweet scallops and savory, crispy bacon is always a hit. However, the process of wrapping each scallop and assembling the tray can be time consuming Many hosts want to know if they can prepare these tasty morsels in advance.

In this article, we’ll explore how far ahead you can make bacon wrapped scallops, storage methods, and reheating techniques to keep them in top form. With some planning, you can enjoy perfect bacon scallops without the last minute rush!

Can You Make Bacon Wrapped Scallops Ahead of Time?

The great news is yes – you can absolutely make bacon wrapped scallops ahead of your party or dinner. In fact, assembling them in advance makes prep so much easier. Here are some tips:

• Wrapped scallops – You can wrap raw scallops in bacon up to 24 hours before baking Just cover and refrigerate them

• Baked scallops – Fully cooked bacon wrapped scallops can be baked up to 3 days in advance. Store them properly and reheat gently before serving.

• Partially cooked – If you par-cook the scallops about halfway, you can finish baking them right before your event.

So whether you just want to get the wrapping done early or fully cook them ahead of time making bacon scallops in advance is not only possible, but highly recommended for ease and convenience.

How Far in Advance Can You Prepare Them?

Here is a breakdown of how early you can make bacon wrapped scallops before your meal or party:

• Wrapped raw scallops – Up to 24 hours before baking. Wrap scallops in bacon and refrigerate on a tray covered in plastic wrap.

• Fully cooked scallops – Up to 3 days in advance. Bake the tray of scallops until the bacon is crispy and scallops are cooked through. Refrigerate promptly.

• Par-cooked scallops – Up to 2 days before. Partially bake scallops about halfway, then finish cooking later. Refrigerate after par-cooking.

• Assembled bacon and scallops – Up to 4 days. Store bacon and scallops separately. Wrap them right before cooking if you’re preparing more than a day in advance.

For optimal flavor and texture, your best bet is to bake them the day of or day before your event. But it’s handy to know you have some flexibility if needed.

How to Store Bacon Wrapped Scallops

To keep baked or uncooked bacon wrapped scallops fresh, proper storage is key. Here are some storage tips:

• Place scallops in a single layer on a tray or plate to prevent overlap.

• Cover the tray tightly with plastic wrap or foil to prevent drying out.

• Refrigerate promptly at 40°F or below. Do not leave at room temperature more than 2 hours.

• Avoid freezing pre-wrapped raw scallops, as this can ruin the texture. Freeze baked scallops up to 2 months.

• For longer storage of raw ingredients, keep bacon and scallops separate. Freeze scallops 3 months and bacon 1 month.

With proper refrigeration, wrapped raw scallops will last 24 hours and cooked scallops 3 days. Be sure to discard any with an off smell or look.

How to Reheat Bacon Wrapped Scallops

When ready to serve your pre-made bacon wrapped scallops, use these reheating methods for the best results:

• Oven – Place on a baking sheet in a 375°F oven about 5 minutes until hot. Turn once.

• Broiler – For crispy reheating, broil pre-cooked scallops 2-3 minutes per side. Watch closely to avoid burning.

• Air fryer – Set air fryer to 370°F and cook 5-7 minutes, tossing halfway through.

• Skillet – Fry over medium heat in butter or oil 2-3 minutes per side.

• Avoid microwaving – The texture gets rubbery. Slow reheating is best.

Be gentle when reheating to prevent overcooking. Bacon wrapped scallops are best served warm, not piping hot. Err on the side of under-reheating and test a sample first.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some serving ideas and accompaniments for your tasty bacon wrapped scallops:

• Garnish with fresh lemon, chopped parsley or diced chives

• Serve with cocktail sauce, aioli, teriyaki sauce or lemon butter for dipping

• Pair with crackers, breads or crunchy vegetables like celery and carrots

• Present on a tiered platter or skewer for easy pick-up finger food

• Stack creatively on a bed of rock salt, greens, or other base

However you choose to serve them, your guests will be impressed with these fancy yet easy bacon scallops. Make them ahead for a stress-free appetizer everyone will love.

Ready to Try Bacon Wrapped Scallops?

Here is a quick summary of tips for preparing bacon wrapped scallops in advance:

• Raw scallops can be wrapped in bacon up to 24 hours before baking.

• Fully cooked scallops keep for 2-3 days refrigerated.

• Partially bake halfway then finish cooking right before serving.

• Store wrapped or cooked scallops promptly in the fridge on a tray.

• Reheat gently in the oven or broiler until warmed through.

• Garnish and serve with sauces or sides for a complete appetizer.

With the convenience of making them ahead, you can now enjoy easy yet elegant bacon wrapped scallops anytime without the last minute rush. They make fantastic appetizers for parties, game day, holiday meals, date nights, or any special occasion.

The combination of sweet tender scallops enveloped in savory crispy bacon is sure to satisfy any crowd. Using high quality ingredients like fresh sea scallops and artisan bacon really takes this recipe over the top.

For step-by-step instructions and helpful cooking tips, check out these popular bacon wrapped scallops recipes:

• Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Lemon Butter Sauce

• Quick and Easy Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Take the headache out of appetizer prep and make bacon wrapped scallops ahead of time. You’ll be so glad you did!

More Useful Tips for Appetizer Success

Planning and preparing appetizers for a party doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are some bonus tips to help your starters shine:

• Set up a prep station or space for easy assembly.

• Make dips and cold items 1-2 days ahead. Bake hot foods day-of.

• Skewer, slice, arrange finger foods for easy eating.

• Cook bacon, pre-bake crusts, and do other components in advance.

• Clean as you go to minimize last minute chaos.

• Review ingredients ahead so you don’t miss something crucial.

• Set timers and have a game plan for any multi-step or baked dishes.

• Display appetizers attractively on platters, boards, or tiered stands.

• Keep cold foods chilled on ice or mini-fridges if the event is long.

• Have serving utensils, small plates, napkins, and drinks ready to go.

Putting thought into the preparation and presentation will pay off with a stunning spread your guests can’t stop raving about!

Let the Good Times Roll!

Appetizers kick off a party or meal on a delicious note and set the tone for more fun to come. Guests will be eager to mingle and chat over your tasty offerings. Master appetizer success with make-ahead bacon wrapped scallops and planning. Then relax and enjoy the quality time with loved ones!