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Are you looking for an easy, delicious appetizer that even the pickiest eaters will devour? Look no further! This honey glazed bacon wrapped shrimp recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Using fresh shrimp and bacon, this simple dish takes less than 20 minutes to make and leaves plenty of time to prepare other appetizer cuisine before your guests arrive. The sweet and savory glaze made of honey paired with bacon and spicy shrimp makes this recipe unexpectedly flavorful. Serve this delectable appetizer at your next gathering for something special - your friends and family won't be able to resist!
This Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Recipe May Be Sweeter Than Our Honey
Believe it or not, this bacon wrapped shrimp recipe was my first honey recipe post on this blog in 2013. I wrote to at least a dozen friends and asked for their best ideas on what I should make with honey. When Chef Jerry Edwards wrote me back with this recipe, I was tickled. I went to the market, picked up all the ingredients, and headed over to my friend Joyce's house where she showed me how to wrap shrimp in bacon. This dish makes a terrific appetizer or a full meal served with rice pilaf or a lightly tossed salad. We have lots of recommendations for other preparations also. The trick to doing this right is finding the thinnest sliced bacon possible. If you can go to a butcher who can cut the bacon for you, that's the best option.
Ingredients Needed for Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
To make the perfect bacon wrapped shrimp, you'll need the following ingredients:
- Large shrimp, peeled and deveined: Fresh, deveined shrimp are essential for this recipe. They cook quickly and absorb the flavors of the bacon and glaze beautifully.
- Slices of bacon, preferable medium-thin: Medium-thin bacon wraps around the shrimp easily and crisps up nicely without overpowering the delicate shrimp.
- Bee Inspired Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness that caramelizes during baking, enhancing the savory bacon. Acts as a healthier alternative to brown sugar.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Optional dipping sauce of your choice: A delicious dipping sauce can add an extra layer of flavor and make the dish even more enjoyable.
How to Prepare Fresh Shrimp
Preparing shrimp can seem daunting at first. Trust us, it isn't too bad! If you prefer, you can always buy frozen shrimp and let them thaw. Buying already deveined shrimp will also make this recipe a little easier so that you don't have to do it yourself.
There are a few different ways to peel fresh shrimp: completely removing the shell, head-on, or tail on. This recipe calls for tail-on shrimp, however feel free to take them off if they annoy you. Peeling and cleaning before cooking makes for a more appealing presentation. It's not difficult; just follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove the Shell
To remove the shell, begin at the underbody, where the legs are, and peel the shell back with your fingers. Remove the entire shell and twist the head to remove it.
Step 2: Devein Shrimp and Dry
Run a pairing knife along the spine without cutting too deep. Run shrimp under cold water to remove the black vein. Dry shrimp before cooking.
Note: If you have a lot of shrimp to devein, put them on ice while working.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Honey Galze
First, you'll need to get all of your ingredients together. Here's a list to make life easy:
- Prepared white shrimp 16-20 count
- Apple-wood smoked think cut bacon
- Panko crumbs
- Bee Inspired Honey
- Sea salt & pepper
Step 1: Preheat Oven & Wrap Shrimp
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Wrap each cleaned shrimp with a piece of bacon, making sure to cover all of the shrimp flesh. If your bacon is too long, feel free to cut it.
Step 2: Roll in Panko Crumbs & Bake
Pour the Panko crumbs into a bowl. Roll each bacon wrapped shrimp into the crumbs to completely coat them. Place them on a baking sheet lined with tinfoil and bake for 4 minutes in the oven.
Step 3: Season & Bake Again
Remove the bacon wrapped shrimp from the oven and let cool. Prepare a new baking sheet and set the bacon wrapped shrimp on it. Season the bacon wrapped shrimp with salt and pepper. Pour 1/2 of the honey on the shrimp. Put the honeyed and seasoned shrimp back in the oven and bake for 4-6 minutes until you have crispy bacon. You want your bacon crispy for the ultimate eating experience.
Step 4: Garnish & Serve
Once finished, season the bacon wrapped shrimp with more salt and pepper. Move the shrimp to your serving plate, and drizzle with the rest of the honey. Serve and enjoy!
Alternative Cooking Methods for Wrapped Shrimp
While baking is a popular method for cooking bacon wrapped shrimp, you can also try alternative cooking methods to achieve crispy bacon and perfectly cooked shrimp. Here are a few options:
- Air Fryer: For a quick and easy method, cook the shrimp in the air fryer at 400°F for 11-14 minutes. This method ensures crisped bacon and tender shrimp without the need for oils.
- Grilling: If you love that smoky flavor, grill the shrimp over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side. The direct heat will crisp up the bacon while keeping the shrimp juicy.
- Pan-Frying: For a stovetop option, cook the shrimp in a skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side. This method allows you to monitor the cooking process closely and achieve perfectly crispy bacon.
Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
To achieve perfect bacon wrapped shrimp, follow these tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh shrimp and thick-cut bacon make a big difference in flavor and texture.
- Pat the shrimp dry: Before wrapping them in bacon, make sure to pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture, which can affect the crispiness of the bacon.
- Use a baking rack: Placing the shrimp on a baking rack prevents them from sitting in bacon grease, ensuring even cooking and crispiness.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet: Give each shrimp enough space to cook evenly. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and soggy bacon.
- Cook until just done: Shrimp cook quickly, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. They should be pink and opaque when done.
Adapting our Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
A recipe is not perfect until you’ve added your own touch. That’s why we encourage you to play with your food. Call your inner chef to come out and play and change up this recipe. Here are some ideas:
- Try this technique with scallops, lobster tails, or even chicken breast.
- You can wrap sturdy vegetables like asparagus and cook them with this technique.
- Sprinkle lemon juice or lime juice over the bacon wrapped shrimp before serving.
- Add some diced chilies to the honey for some extra heat.
- Just two tablespoons of bourbon in with the honey will add a nice flavor.
- This homemade Honey BBQ Sauce would make an excellent dipping sauce.
- Grill outside on skewers for that extra smoky flavor.
- Try cooking bacon wrapped shrimp with different types of honey for different flavor variations.
- Try adding melted butter. It will help to coat the shrimp and bacon, adding a rich, buttery flavor.
- Add garlic powder to infuse the shrimp with a subtle garlic flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
- Try cooking or dipping into soy sauce for a rich, umami flavor that complements the sweetness of the honey glaze.
Wildflower Honey is a perfect match for this recipe
What to Serve Bacon Wrapped Shrimp With
Most southern recipes accompany spicy and smoked dishes. Southern Cornbread is a beautiful go-along with this dish, which aids in resting the palette from the smokey bacon.
Serving these bacon wrapped shrimp as a meal? This Healthy Slaw will cool off the palette as it adds fiber to this delicious meal.
Perfectly timed for autumn, this Roasted Butternut Squash is as delicious as it is simple to prepare and makes a great companion to this perfect bacon wrapped shrimp dish.
How to Store Leftover Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
If you have leftover bacon wrapped shrimp, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply cook the shrimp in the oven at 400°F for a few minutes, or until they’re heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop. This way, you can enjoy your delicious bacon wrapped shrimp even after the party is over.
The Sweet and Savory Glaze Perfectly Compliments Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Delicious, beautiful, and effortless - this honey glazed bacon wrapped shrimp has it all. From simple ingredients to wow-factor presentation, this appetizer will make a lasting impression on your guests and family. Whether you're entertaining or want something special to eat, this recipe is sure to rise to the occasion. Plus, the fact that you made it will always leave you feeling rewarded. The best part is that it's easy enough for anyone to do. So why not try it and make a memorable meal today? Why not challenge yourself and get creative with the presentation? And when you do, don't forget to share your masterpiece with us - we'd love to see it!
My friend Chef Jerry Edwards of Baltimore is amazing. My first year as a beekeeper I asked him for help with a recipe and he shared a few that were way out the ordinary.
