If you love scallops and want a fool proof way to enjoy them–then you need to try these Air Fryer Scallops. They’re an easy, quick and tasty way to make a scallop recipe with minimal mess. If you’re looking for detailed video and post on How to Cook Scallops seared or baked–then I got you covered with that post!
Today’s post is as simple as can be, and it’s a post for seafood lovers, particularly Scallops lovers. We love scallops and there are so many ways to cook scallops. Seared Scallops offer you the perfect golden sear with a rich buttery taste. Oven Baked Scallops offer you a luscious scallop with a decadent crunch from the topping.
It was only natural for me to try Air fryer scallops if you’ve been following my love for Air Fryer Recipes. The trick to air fryer recipes is always to keep your food at a single layer, and to check halfway either to shake or flip the food.
What Are Air Fryer Scallops?
Air fryer scallops is one of the fastest ways to achieve tender, juicy seafood with a lightly caramelized exterior with minimal work. You can use our Scallops guide for pan seared or oven baked ways to cook them.
Scallops are extremely sensitive to overcooking, so you can go from buttery, delicate to rubbery without proper moisture control, heat intensity, and timing precision. The air fryer removes much of the hassle, here what it does:
- Dries the surface slightly
- Promotes light browning
- Cooks the interior quickly
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Scallops?
- Super quick! Air fryer scallops are done in 10 minutes max!
- No mess. Skip the sear and splatter of butter when making scallops in air fryer.
- Same delicious taste. Seriously tastes the same! except you won’t have the rich buttery taste, but we solved that with the herb sauce!
- Endless variations! We love flavoring the scallops once they’re done, so we added a drizzle of Chimichurri Recipe on top.
- You can also add Garlic Butter Sauce or any flavored butter over the top.
Types of Scallops
Sea Scallops (Best Choice)
- Large, thick, and meaty
- Ideal for air frying
- Cook evenly and stay juicy
Bay Scallops
- Much smaller and sweeter
- Cook very quickly
- Not ideal for air fryer (easy to overcook and dry out)
- Better suited for sautéing or quick stovetop cooking
Diver Scallops
- Hand-harvested sea scallops
- Premium quality
- Same cooking method as sea scallops
Ingredients for Air Fryer Scallops
Scallops
- Dry packed are best because the wet packed has added water which makes it harder to brown.
- Large sea scallops cook more evenly
- Frozen acceptable if properly thawed and dried
Seasoning and Flavoring
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
- Olive oil. You can use a cooking spray but we love the richness of olive oil here.
- You can add here your favorite spices: onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chilli powder, etc. I however, just added salt and pepper since i’m using Chimichurri Recipe to finish off.
- Lemon wedges for serving, and a dipping sauce like Tartar Sauce Recipe or an exotic Harissa Aioli.
How to Make Air Fryer Scallops Step by Step
- Start by patting your sea scallops dry using a paper towel. This is essential for any spices/flavors to stick over the scallops, and essential for the scallops to crisp up in the air fryer too.
- At that point, place them in a bowl or plate and season the scallops with salt, pepper and olive oil and toss them well.
- Now you’ll arrange the scallops in the air fryer basket. It’s best to spray the basket first, and as always remember to have the scallops arranged in a single layer.
- Now you’ll air fry at 400 degrees F for 5-6 minutes. Then you’ll flip the scallops and air fry for another 2-3 minutes until they’re done. In total, you’ll need about 8-10 minutes depending on the size you’re using.
- Aim for the golden brown color.
- Drizzle the Chimichurri Sauce over the cooked scallops and serve right away! We love serving them over a salad plate with extra capers and red chillies 🙂
Expert Tips for Scallops in Air Fryer
- Use fresh scallops when possible, and always pat dry your scallops before seasoning them and air frying.
- Make sure you spray the basket with oil, and better off, toss the seasoned scallops with olive oil.
- Arrange the scallops in a single layer in your air fryer basket always.
- Don’t forget to flip halfway!
- Choose any size scallops you like and adjust cooking times.
- Add the scallops to pasta, salad, rice, drench them in sauce, or personalize this recipe to your taste however you prefer. Try it with our Lemon Butter Sauce or Citrus Beurre Blanc.
Scallop Recipe Variations
- Garlic Butter Scallops: Finish with butter and garlic after cooking
- Mediterranean Scallops: Olive oil, oregano, lemon
- Spicy Scallops: Chili flakes or paprika
- Lemon Herb Scallops: Fresh herbs and citrus
How to Serve Scallops?
- Over Pasta
- With Rice
- As a salad topping
- With potatoes
- On a side of greens
- Roasted Veggies on the side
Do I need an air fryer to cook Scallops?
Oh no, there are so many ways to Cook Scallops. I share a video and step by step on pan searing scallops in a small skillet on the stove-top, and oven baked scallops. So today’s recipe is just a quick version, and a great way to use your air fryer!
How to know when Scallops are Cooked?
Once scallops have cooked, you’ll notice they’ll be opaque in color and feel quite firm to the touch. If you have a thermometer and want to check, then you’ll be looking for an internal temperature of 125-130 degrees F.
Leftover Scallops
Store leftovers in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Best way is to reheat the scallops in the air fryer at 350 for 3 minutes, they taste just as fresh! Be careful about over heating as they can become rubbery.
Why Do I have Rubbery scallops
- You have overcooked them.
What if they’re No browning
- Too much moisture was in the scallops before cooking
Why do I have Watery scallops
- You didn’t dry them well
What if there’s Uneven cooking
- Overcrowding the air fryer will create uneven cooking.
Air Fryer Recipes
- Frozen Broccoli In Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- BEST Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- Air Fryer Pizza
- Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Hot Dogs
- Whole Chicken in the air fryer!
- Pizza Rolls
- Best Baked Potato
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Fish Tacos
- Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Poblano Sauce
Air Fryer Scallops
Air fryer scallops are the easiest Scallops recipe you'll ever make! Seriously delicious, quick, no fuss and TASTY scallops! Video and Tips!
Ingredients
- 1 lb scallops
- 1/4 teasppon salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 2-3 tabelspoons chimichurri sauce to serve https://www.twopurplefigs.com/chimichurri-recipe/
Instructions
-
Start by patting the scallops dry using kitchen papers on a plate.
-
Season the scallops with salt, pepper and olive oil. Make sure to toss the scallops well in seasoning.
-
Arrange all the scallops in your air fryer basket in a single layer. It's crucial for them to be in a single layer to cook evenly and have a golden crust.
-
Air fry the scallops at 400 degrees F for 6 minutes, and then flip the scallops and continue air frying for another 4 minutes.
-
The scallops should look golden, opaque and feel firm to the touch when done.
-
Remove the air fryer scallops and place them on a salad plate, serve along salad, pasta, rice, potatoes, veggies, however you want.
-
Don't forget to drizzle some chimchurri sauce on top for more flavor.
-
Enjoy
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Tips for Scallops in Air Fryer
- Use fresh scallops when possible, and always pat dry your scallops before seasoning them and air frying.
- Make sure you spray the basket with oil, and better off, toss the seasoned scallops with olive oil.
- Arrange the scallops in a single layer in your air fryer basket always.
- Don’t forget to flip halfway!
- Choose any size scallops you like and adjust cooking times.
- Add the scallops to pasta, salad, rice, drench them in sauce, or personalize this recipe to your taste however you prefer. Try it with our Lemon Butter Sauce or Citrus Beurre Blanc.
Scallop Recipe Variations
- Garlic Butter Scallops: Finish with butter and garlic after cooking
- Mediterranean Scallops: Olive oil, oregano, lemon
- Spicy Scallops: Chili flakes or paprika
- Lemon Herb Scallops: Fresh herbs and citrus
How to Serve Scallops?
- Over Pasta
- With Rice
- As a salad topping
- With potatoes
- On a side of greens
- Roasted Veggies on the side
Do I need an air fryer to cook Scallops?
Oh no, there are so many ways to Cook Scallops. I share a video and step by step on pan searing scallops in a small skillet on the stove-top, and oven baked scallops. So today's recipe is just a quick version, and a great way to use your air fryer!
How to know when Scallops are Cooked?
Once scallops have cooked, you'll notice they'll be opaque in color and feel quite firm to the touch. If you have a thermometer and want to check, then you'll be looking for an internal temperature of 125-130 degrees F.
Leftover Scallops
Store leftovers in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Best way is to reheat the scallops in the air fryer at 350 for 3 minutes, they taste just as fresh! Be careful about over heating as they can become rubbery.
Why Do I have Rubbery scallops
- You have overcooked them.
What if they're No browning
- Too much moisture was in the scallops before cooking
Why do I have Watery scallops
- You didn't dry them well
What if there's Uneven cooking
- Overcrowding the air fryer will create uneven cooking.
I love this new way to cook scallops! They come out just as tender and tasty as traditional cooking methods and I love the easy cleanup.
I love this healthier way of cooking scallops. It’s so easy yet so delicious!
I’ve always been so careful with scallops, they’re so delicate! So I would have never thought to air fry them—I’m a pan-seared scallop gal through and through. But girl. These were awesome! So tender, so sweet, so flavorful!
Great recipe, love using my air fryer and these were so tender and tasty AND QUICK!
Love how easy it was to cook these scallops in the air fryer. They came out perfectly!
Perfectly cooked scallops every time in the air fryer. YUM!
I just love scallops, but I have never made them in the air fryer before! 🙂 I will have to try this soon.
I have never tried air-frying scallops. Sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing
I am now 100% convinced that air-frying is the best way to cook scallops. So nice with chimichurri too!
I’ve never made scallops in the air fryer before and I can’t wait to try it. Thank you for sharing your recipe!