Bacon-wrapped Shrimp with Honey Drizzle

Ingredients

Method

Long Description

When you need an appetizer that’s equal parts fancy and down-home, bacon-wrapped shrimp is the answer. Juicy shrimp get tucked inside smoky Kountry Boys bacon, crisped to perfection in the air fryer, then finished with a drizzle of golden honey. The result is a bite that’s salty, sweet and downright irresistible.

Whether you’re setting out a tray for game day, passing plates at a holiday party or firing up the grill in the backyard, this bacon-wrapped shrimp recipe is guaranteed to be the first thing gone.

Why Bacon and Shrimp Just Work

Bacon has a way of making everything better, but when it’s paired with shrimp, something special happens. On its own, shrimp is light and slightly sweet, with a tender bite that cooks up fast. Bacon brings the opposite: smoky richness and a satisfying crunch. Together, they create a balance that feels indulgent without being heavy. Every bite offers contrast — the crisp snap of bacon against the juicy burst of shrimp — and when you add that final drizzle of honey, the flavors come alive.

Think about the flavors on a Texas plate. Sweet tea with salty peanuts. A slice of peach cobbler after smoky brisket. Jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon. It’s that play of opposites — sweet with salty, tender with crisp— that keeps folks coming back for more. Bacon-wrapped shrimp belongs in that same family of unforgettable bites.

This recipe also taps into the spirit of celebration. Bacon-wrapped shrimp isn’t something you throw together every night of the week. It feels a little special, the kind of appetizer you’d serve for guests, bring out for holidays or pass around at a tailgate. But thanks to the air fryer, it’s no longer a fuss-heavy dish. Instead of standing over a skillet or turning skewers on the grill, you can load a batch into the basket and be ready to serve in 10 mins flat.

The honey drizzle may seem simple, but it’s what takes this dish from good to unforgettable. That glossy sweetness plays against the smokiness of Kountry Boys Original Bacon and the natural brininess of the shrimp. It rounds out the bite, giving your tastebuds something new with each chew. Sweet and savory are one of cooking’s oldest pairings for a reason — they just work.

Tips for Making It Just Right

Even with a simple recipe like this one, the small details make a difference. Here are a few tried-and-true tips to help you nail it every time:

• Go big on shrimp: Jumbo shrimp hold up best to the bacon wrap. Smaller shrimp can overcook before the bacon is crisp, leaving you with rubbery texture. Look for shrimp labeled 16/20 or 21/25 count per pound for ideal size.
• Dry before seasoning: Pat shrimp dry with paper towels before tossing with garlic, parsley and spices. This helps the seasoning stick and keeps the bacon from steaming instead of crisping.
• Secure the wrap: Sometimes the bacon wants to slide off, especially as it shrinks during cooking. A simple toothpick solves the problem. Just remember to pull them out before serving so folks don’t get a surprise crunch.
• Flavor swaps: Honey is the star here, but there’s room to experiment. Add crushed red pepper flakes to the drizzle for a sweet-heat finish. Brush with barbecue sauce in the last 2 mins of cooking for a smoky glaze. Or try a maple syrup drizzle if you want more breakfast-style sweetness.
• Grill option: No air fryer? No problem. Bacon-wrapped shrimp have been a grill favorite for decades. Preheat to medium heat and cook 2–3 mins per side until the bacon crisps and shrimp turn opaque. The grill adds an extra layer of smokiness that fits right in with the Texas backyard tradition.
• Serving ideas: These little bites shine as appetizers, but you don’t have to stop there. Try them as a salad topper with a tangy vinaigrette, toss them with pasta for a smoky twist on shrimp scampi or serve over rice with roasted veggies for a balanced meal.

What makes this recipe so versatile is that it can be dressed up or down. Serve it on toothpicks at a holiday party or drop a pile of shrimp on a paper plate at the tailgate. Either way, folks will be asking for seconds.

Why Kountry Boys Bacon?

Not all bacon is created equal, and that’s why starting with the right brand makes all the difference. Kountry Boys Original Bacon is smoked low and slow, which gives it that deep, wood-fired flavor that can’t be faked. The slices are cut to cook up evenly — thick enough to deliver flavor, thin enough to crisp all the way through. That balance is exactly what you need when wrapping shrimp, because nothing’s worse than bacon that’s limp on one side and burnt on the other.

It’s also bacon made the Texas way. Bold flavor, dependable quality and the kind of product you’re proud to serve your family and friends. When you bite into bacon-wrapped shrimp made with Kountry Boys, you know you’re getting the real deal — not just smoky on the surface, but flavor all the way through.

Kountry Boys Bacon holds its shape in the air fryer, which means you don’t have to worry about it unraveling mid-cook. It crisps evenly, hugs the shrimp tightly and gives every bite that satisfying crunch. When you start with quality bacon, you don’t need much else. The flavor carries itself.

Bringing Texas Flavor to Your Table

At Kountry Boys, we believe bacon should be front and center. These Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with Honey Drizzle prove just that — smoky, sweet and loaded with Texas-sized flavor.

From backyard cookouts to holiday spreads, this dish is built for sharing and guaranteed to be the first plate gone. Whether you’re feeding the neighbors, surprising your family with something new or planning a tailgate menu, bacon-wrapped shrimp is a surefire winner.

Try more Kountry Boys favorites like our Cheesy Bacon Ranch Sliders or our Buffalo Pig Shots.