Cream Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
A quick and easy appetizer featuring plump shrimp stuffed with a creamy, spicy Cajun cream cheese filling, wrapped in crispy thick-cut bacon. Perfect for entertaining and crowd-pleasing with bold flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings (4 shrimp per serving) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 10 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Toothpicks or small skewers for securing bacon wraps
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and evenly blended.
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels to help bacon stick and prevent sogginess.
- Stuff each shrimp cavity with about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture using a small spoon or piping bag.
- Wrap each shrimp with half a slice of bacon, starting at the thickest part and spiraling towards the tail. Secure with a toothpick.
- Arrange wrapped shrimp on a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. If no rack is available, place shrimp directly on a foil-lined baking sheet and turn halfway through cooking.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes until bacon is crispy and shrimp are opaque and cooked through. Optionally, broil for the last 2 minutes for extra crispness, watching carefully.
- Remove toothpicks and serve immediately, optionally with lemon wedges or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Use thick-cut bacon for best crispiness and sturdiness. Pat shrimp dry before stuffing to prevent soggy bacon. For grilling, use indirect heat and watch carefully to avoid flare-ups. Prepare ahead and refrigerate to shorten active cooking time. Leftovers reheat best in oven to maintain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 shrimp
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 18
Keywords: bacon wrapped shrimp, cream cheese stuffed shrimp, Cajun shrimp, appetizer, easy shrimp recipe, party food, crowd pleaser