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Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Sweet and Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp the perfect combination of large succulent shrimp wrapped in crispy bacon tossed in a sweet and spicy mixture and ready in under 30 minutes.

A plate of bacon wrapped shrimp.


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Bacon makes everything extra delicious like my Bacon Wrapped Chicken and Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf. Shrimp is always a win in our house any night of the week like my sweet Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp or a spicy shrimp dish like my Spicy Shrimp recipe. These little bites of heaven will be a huge hit on New Year's Eve or a Super Bowl party.

Why this recipe works

This bacon-wrapped shrimp uses simple ingredients will be your new favorite appetizer for game day, parties, or a backyard bbq! It's a quick recipe to whip up like my Pigs in a Blanket and perfect for your next gathering. It's usually served as a shrimp appetizer, but add a side dish like a green salad and some No-Knead Artisan Bread and you got yourself a healthy meal.

Ingredients needed

All the ingredients needed for this recipe.

ingredient notes

  • Shrimp: You'll want to use deveined shrimp the larger size of shrimp works best like 16/20.
  • Bacon: Thin-cut bacon works best.
  • Brown sugar: Dark or light will work.
  • Paprika: I prefer smoked paprika but regular will work in a pinch.
  • Cayenne pepper: you can also use red pepper flakes.

how to make this recipe

bacon slices placed on a baking sheet and partly cooked.
  • Step 1: Place the bacon on a baking sheet covered with foil and bake in the oven.
  • Step 2: Cook the bacon until partially cooked but still bendable.
A small bowl with the brown sugar and spices and raw deveined shrimp.
  • Step 3: In a small bowl add the brown sugar and spices and mix until combined.
  • Step 4: Peel and devein the large shrimp if needed, I leave the tails on.
Raw bacon wrapped shrimp with the brown sugar coating sprinkled on top.
  • Step 5: Wrap each piece of bacon around the raw shrimp and secure it with a toothpick.
  • Step 6: Coat each bacon-wrapped shrimp in the sugar mixture.
Bacon wrapped shrimp placed on a baking sheet.
  • Step 7: Place the shrimp in a single layer on a foiled-lined baking sheet. Bake until the shrimp turn pink or opaque and the bacon is crispy.
Bacon wrapped shrimp on a plate and one being grabbed.

recipe tips

  • Make sure you par-cook your bacon to ensure it gets crispy and the delicious shrimp stays tender.
  • You can also par-cook the bacon in a large skillet on medium-high heat.
  • Cover your baking sheet with aluminum foil or a piece of parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  • Store any leftover shrimp in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
A bacon wrapped chrimp being held.

recipe faq's

How to peel and devein shrimp

If you can't get deveined fresh shrimp, you just need to first remove the shell but try to leave the tail on. Then run a small paring knife down the back of the shrimp (the opposite side from the legs) where you see a dark line. Once you make a cut down the shrimp use the knife the remove that dark line, rinse in cold water and place the shrimp in a large bowl lined with paper towels.

Why do I have to pre-cook bacon?

Shrimp cooks much faster than bacon does so in order to get the bacon crispy you need to get a head start with it

How long do you cook bacon-wrapped shrimp?

This easy recipe will only take about 8-10 minutes to bake in the oven. You don't want to overcook shrimp or else you'll get a rubbery texture. If your using smaller shrimp than recommended your shrimp may be done quicker,

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes and no! The best way to make this easy shrimp recipe ahead is to mix the brown sugar and spice mixture in a small bowl, par-cook the bacon and then wrap the shrimp the day before and place in an airtight container. Then prior to the event just coat the shrimp and bake.

Can I air fry these bacon-wrapped shrimp?

Yes, they can! No need to par-cook the bacon, just spray a little cooking spray into the basket and cook at 400 degrees for 4 minutes then flip and cook for another 5-6 minutes or until done. You can also reheat leftover shrimp in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.

Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

4.60 from 5 votes
Written By: Wendie
Sweet and spicy bacon-wrapped shrimp will be your new favorite appetizer for game day, parties, or a backyard bbq! The perfect combination of large succulent shrimp wrapped in crispy bacon and tossed in a sweet and spicy mixture and ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 134

Ingredients
  

  • 12 slices thin cut bacon cut in half
  • 6 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 24 large shrimp peeled and deveined (16/20)

Instructions
 

  • 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • 2. Arrange bacon slices on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 5-6 minutes until partially cooked but still pliable. Remove from the oven and let cool 5 minutes, then wipe off the bacon grease from the foil.
  • 3. While the bacon cooks combine brown sugar, cayenne pepper, paprika and salt.
  • 4. Wrap each shrimp with a piece of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.
  • 5. Roll the bacon-wrapped shrimp into the sugar/spice mixture until well coated and place on a baking sheet.
  • 6. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until shrimp is pink and bacon is crispy.

Notes

Make sure you par-cook your bacon to ensure it gets crispy and the delicious shrimp stays tender.
You can also par-cook the bacon in a large skillet on medium-high heat.
Cover your baking sheet with aluminum foil or a piece of parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Store any leftover shrimp in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 134kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 10gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 607mgSugar: 8g
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!
Course Appetizers
Cuisine American
4.60 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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