This air fryer scallops recipe is so easy that anyone can make it. I love scallops and always wanted to make them at home but was so intimidated. The air fryer makes it easy to cook and clean up so you can enjoy a little bit of a fancy take on dinner at home!
Air Fryer Scallops
After I learned how to make seafood recipes like halibut and tilapia in the air fryer, I knew I had to tackle scallops. They’re one of those foods I love but only have every so often. Now we can enjoy them much more often!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy! You can make scallops in about 15 minutes. You only need about 5 minutes prep time and then 8 to 10 minutes to cook them!
- So versatile! You can enjoy air fried scallops as a main dish but they’re also great as appetizers, snacks, and for lunch! You can also serve them with a bunch of stuff. They go well with rice and vegetables but can also be used in pasta or just dipped in your favorite sauce!
- Easy to make your own! You can easily tweak the flavor by using your favorite sauces and seasonings. So you can give them a variety of flavor and enjoy them again and again.
- If you’re worried about the scallops sticking, you can spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray.
Ingredients & Equipment
Here’s what you will need to put on your shopping list for this recipe:
- Scallops
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Lemon wedges for garnish
For the butter sauce:
- Butter
- Minced garlic (you can mince your own or use jarred minced garlic!)
- Parsley
The exact measurements for each ingredient can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You will also need some things from your kitchen:
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Tongs – to flip the fish
How to Cook Scallops in Air Fryer
This recipe makes 4 servings. It takes 5-10 minutes prep time and 8-10 minutes of cook time. Follow these step-by-step instructions for delicious scallops!
Step 1. Place the scallops on a paper towel lined plate and dry the scallops to soak up extra moisture from the packaging. You can pat them lightly to absorb the moisture.
Step 2. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat setting, you can set it to cook for a few minutes to heat up.
Step 3. Transfer the scallops to a bowl and toss with olive oil, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning.
Step 4. Place the scallops in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer.
Step 5. Cook at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping the scallops halfway through the cook time.
Step 6. When ready to serve, prepare the butter sauce. Melt butter then add the garlic and parsley.
Step 7. Garnish scallops with additional parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.
Leftover Storage & Reheating
I recommend eating all of your scallops you air fry right after cooking. They don’t reheat that well, but you can store your leftovers instead of letting them go to waste.
You can store leftover scallops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can also freeze them in a freezer safe container for up to two months.
To reheat leftover scallops, put them in the air fryer or microwave for a very short time. You just want to warm them up and not let them get rubbery.
Tips & Tricks
- Be sure to pat the scallops dry before seasoning and cooking. If they’re wet, they will be softer because the air fryer will steam them. They won’t be the same as pan seared scallops but the drier they are, the crispier they can get in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space around the scallops so the air can circulate. They can touch a bit but you do not want them to overlap.
- Pay attention to the size of your scallops. Larger scallops may need more cooking time while smaller scallops may need less time. Don’t overcook the scallops or they could get rubbery and chewy. When they’re golden brown and firm, they’re ready. The internal temperature should be 125-130°F.
- Try different flavors with these scallops! Try seasoning with just salt and pepper. Or add a pop of flavor with Cajun seasoning. Try different sauces too. These are good with garlic butter but also with lemon butter sauce.
FAQs
Can you use frozen scallops?
You can use frozen scallops. If you decide to thaw them, then you can follow the cooking time in this recipe. If you want to cook them from frozen, you may need a few extra minutes of cooking time.
For best results, I do recommend that you thaw them so you can use a paper towel to get additional moisture out of them.
How do you know when scallops are done?
The scallops may not get as golden brown as you’re familiar with when they’re pan seared. But you do want them to be opaque all the way and feel firm. The internal temperature should be 125-130°F.
More Easy Air Dinner Recipes
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Sirloin Steak (Surf and turf alert!)
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Air Fryer Carrots
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Fresh scallops
- ½ tablespoon Olive oil
- ½ tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
Butter Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Butter melted
- 1 Garlic clove minced
- ½ tablespoon Fresh parsley finely chopped, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Place the scallops on a paper towel lined plate and dry the scallops to soak up extra moisture from the packaging. You can pat them lightly to absorb the moisture.
- Transfer the scallops to a bowl and toss with olive oil, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning.
- Place the scallops in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer.
- Cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping the scallops halfway through the cook time.
- When ready to serve, prepare the butter sauce. Melt butter then add the garlic and parsley.
- Garnish scallops with additional parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.
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