If you're looking for an easy and delicious seafood dish to make in your air fryer, look no further than Air Fryer Scallops! This recipe is simple, requiring just a handful of ingredients, and the results are always tender and delicious.
It's much faster than pan-frying them on the stovetop, and you don't need any extra oil. So if you want a delicious seafood meal but don't want to spend a pretty penny at your local seafood restaurant, try making Air Fryer Scallops!
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❤️ Why you'll love it
Air-fried scallops are absolutely packed full of flavor. And they take very little time to prepare. You don't need oil or butter to cook them - just a few simple ingredients and spices.
This easy recipe is perfect for a quick dinner, served with your favorite side dishes. No matter how you choose to serve them, these delicious scallops will impress your family and friends!
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🥘 Equipment Used
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You can use any conventional air fryer in the market though you might have to do more batches if your air fryer is small.
My favorite brand is Ninja Air Fryer. You can also use a Ninja Foodi, which I've really come to love as it crisps up so fast! Of course, you can use any air fryer you have in your kitchen.
🧾 Ingredients Used
- Large scallops: you can use fresh scallops or frozen ones. If using frozen, you may want to let them thaw in the fridge overnight before preparing them for the air fryer. You can get them from your local grocery store or from a seafood market.
- Olive oil cooking spray: you can also use avocado oil spray.
- Spices: garlic powder, cajun seasoning, black pepper, and salt.
- Optional garnish: fresh parsley, red pepper flakes.
🔪 How To Make This Recipe
This easy air fryer recipe is ready in no time.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F.
- Season the scallops with the spices.
- Spray the air fryer with olive oil, then place the scallops in the air fryer and arrange them in a single layer.
- Air fry for 6-8 mins, shaking the basket halfway.
🥫 Storing and Reheating
Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, simply place the scallops on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) until they reach your desired temperature.
You can also air fry them again, but you may need to spray more oil as the scallops will likely be drier. For best results, use tongs when handling hot scallops, so you don't burn yourself.
💭 Expert Tips
- If you are using frozen scallops, be sure to thaw them completely before air frying.
- You can also try pan-searing the scallops before finishing them in the air fryer.
- If you don't have access to an air fryer, you can easily make this recipe in your oven instead. Just bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes.
- Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel before adding the seasonings so that they adhere well.
- You can use a small sheet of parchment paper in your air fryer during the cooking process for easy cleanup.
Recipe Variations
- Add some melted butter and old bay seasoning for a richer flavor.
- Serve your scallops with some garlic butter, lemon zest, or lemon juice, and some fresh dill for extra flavor.
- Add a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or red pepper flakes for garnish, if desired.
- Try coating the scallops in some pork rind crumbs before air frying for a more crunchy texture.
- If you are following a low-carb diet, try serving the scallops with roasted vegetables or a salad as a side dish.
- Serve with some lemon wedges for a nice citrus flavor.
🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?
These easy air fryer scallops are excellent on their own as an appetizer or snack. However, you can also serve your scallops as a main course with some delicious low carb sides for a complete meal.
Some of my favorite simple sides to serve with a scallop dinner include Keto Mashed Cauliflower, Air Fryer Frozen Okra, and Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables.
👩🍳 Frequently asked questions
Don't wait for the scallops to have a golden brown crust to indicate they are done because they might not brown in the air fryer. Make sure you use a meat thermometer for cooking the scallops to an internal temperature of about 130°F.
Depending on how thick each scallop is, this ought to take around 6 minutes. Just be sure to check the internal temperature of each scallop to make sure they are done.
Yes, you can. It will just take a bit longer to cook than fresh scallops. Place the frozen scallops directly into the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 400 degrees F on the air fryer setting, and flip halfway for about 10 minutes. Just check the temperature when finished cooking to make sure they are not. If not entirely done, cook them for a few more minutes.
Depending on the size of the scallops and how hot your air fryer can get, cooking times can vary. Although you can cook frozen scallops in an air fryer, defrosting them guarantees they will cook thoroughly.
📚 Related Recipes
Check out these other air fryer recipes!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Scallops
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb scallops large
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- olive oil spray
- fresh parsley optional garnish
- red pepper flakes optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F.
- Wash and pat dry the scallops.
- Season the scallops with the spices.
- Spray the air fryer with olive oil, then place the scallops in the air fryer and arrange them in a single layer.
- Air fry for 6-8 mins, shaking the basket halfway.
Notes
- If you are using frozen scallops, be sure to thaw them completely before air frying.
- You can also try pan-searing the scallops before finishing them in the air fryer.
- If you don't have access to an air fryer, you can easily make this recipe in your oven instead. Just bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes.
- Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel before adding the seasonings so that they adhere well.
- You can use a small sheet of parchment paper in your air fryer during the cooking process for easy cleanup.
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