Bacon Wrapped Shrimp makes the most delicious holiday appetizer! Tender shrimp wrapped in crispy, candied bacon with a hint of spice and a drizzle of honey… these savory-sweet shrimp are easy, addictive, and guaranteed to be a favorite!

You know what they say… everything’s better with bacon! Whether it’s appetizers, sandwiches, or even desserts… bacon has a way of taking even the most basic recipes to a whole new level. Case in point? This Bacon Wrapped Shrimp!

Table of Contents

We all know that shrimp is a party favorite (shrimp cocktail, anyone?) and pairing it with bacon can only make it better. Especially when the bacon is coated with sweet brown sugar and spicy chipotle chili powder, then baked to crispy perfection. And when you add a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of fresh cracked pepper on top? The end result is basically the best thing ever!

It makes the perfect appetizer for holiday parties, the ultimate snack for game days, and the most versatile side dish for any meal. We love serving it with extra honey for dipping, OR it’s equally delicious paired with any of your favorite dipping sauces!

What you need for this recipe

Bacon – This recipe calls for 1 pound of bacon. I used regular cut, hickory smoked bacon, which I cut in half to wrap around each shrimp. Feel free to use any flavor variety you like, but I would NOT suggest using thick cut, as it takes longer to cook and will have a hard time crisping up.

Shrimp – For this recipe you’ll need 1 pound (about 25 count) of raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tail off. You definitely want to use raw, not cooked, shrimp to avoid it becoming overcooked and rubbery.

Brown sugar – To give this recipe a savory-sweet caramelized flavor, you’ll need 1/2 cup of light brown sugar to coat the bacon before wrapping.

Spices – I kept the spices light, using just 1 teaspoon of chipotle chili powder and a touch of fresh cracked pepper. You can feel free to add additional spice by using more chipotle chili powder or a pinch of cayenne, as well.

Honey – A drizzle of honey after baking adds the perfect finishing touch to this recipe. I love serving the shrimp with extra honey for dipping, or you can serve with any of your favorite sauces.

How to make Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Prepare the bacon – Cut each strip of bacon in half, then lay flat on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spoon 1 teaspoon of the brown sugar mixture onto each piece of bacon, then spread it out using the back of a spoon or your fingers to cover the length of it.

Wrap the shrimp – Starting at one end of each bacon strip, wrap the shrimp tightly inside the bacon, securing the end with a toothpick.

Bake & broil – Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes, then broil on high for an additional 3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Drizzle with honey – Remove the baking sheet from the oven, transfer shrimp to a serving plate, and drizzle with honey and fresh cracked pepper. Serve with additional honey for dipping.

Dipping sauce suggestions

Make-ahead & storage tips

This Bacon Wrapped Shrimp can easily be made in advance by following the instructions just to the point of baking. Unbaked, wrapped shrimp can be stored, covered, on a baking sheet or in an airtight container for a few hours or even overnight. When you’re ready to bake, simply remove them from the refrigerator and bake according to the recipe instructions.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheated briefly in the oven, in a skillet, or in an air fryer. Be careful not to overheat, as the shrimp may become rubbery when overcooked.

More appetizer recipes you’ll love