My air fryer scallops turn out perfectly golden and succulent every time! I love whipping up these garlicky, breaded, melt-in-your-mouth bites for an impressive and delicious dinner.
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My Easy Recipe for Scallops in the Air Fryer
I first tried making my air fryer scallops when I needed a quick and delicious dinner idea that would impress my friends. My husband Ben and I were hosting a couple of friends for dinner who love seafood, so I wanted to show them what the air fryer could really do.
Scallops can feel intimidating to cook at home, so my goal was to create an easy, foolproof recipe where the scallops turned out succulent and perfectly seasoned every time. I decided to soak each one in melted butter, coat them in a mixture of seasonings and breadcrumbs, then air fry them until golden.
The air fryer ended up being so much easier than frying scallops in a small skillet on the stove. I didn’t have to keep an eye on them 24/7! Plus, I got more consistent results and it was way less of a mess. Best of all, our friends were so impressed! They couldn’t stop talking about how amazing my scallops were!
For more delicious air fryer seafood recipes, be sure to check out my air fryer mahi mahi, air fryer crab cakes, air fryer tilapia, air fryer cod, and fish sticks in the air fryer!
Air Fry Scallops Ingredients
- Scallops – I used fresh sea scallops for this recipe
- Butter – Keeps the scallops tender and allows the breading to stick
- Italian breadcrumbs – Adds the perfect crunch to the outside of the scallops
- Seasoning – I use a combination of garlic powder, salt, and pepper
How to Cook Scallops in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Combine the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together in a shallow bowl. Add the melted butter to a separate shallow bowl.
STEP THREE: Dredge each scallop first through the butter, followed by the breadcrumbs making sure each scallop is coating thoroughly.
STEP FOUR: Arrange the scallops in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Work in batches if there is not enough room for them in the basket with a little space between them.
STEP FIVE: Air fry the scallops for about 5 minutes, flipping them gently with tongs halfway through the cooking time. The scallops are done when they’re golden brown, opaque, and read 115 degrees F with a meat thermometer.
Tips for making the Best Air Fried Scallops
- Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel for the best results. I’ve found that if the scallops are wet, the butter, breadcrumbs, and seasoning won’t stick nearly as well.
- Remove the side muscle from the scallops. It’s usually removed at the seafood counter, but this small muscle holds sand and is tough and chewy, so I always double check to make sure it’s been taken off.
- Coat the scallops thoroughly with the breadcrumbs and seasoning. I use my fingers to pat the coating into each scallop.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. I leave space between each scallop in the air fryer to make sure the hot air can circulate to cook each one properly and crisp up the coating.
- Flip the scallops carefully to avoid taking off the coating. I use rubber tongs to gently grip each scallop.
Air Fryer Scallops Variations and Substitutions
- I sometimes switch up the breading and use panko breadcrumbs instead of Italian breadcrumbs. Panko gives them a little extra crunch!
- For a super fresh dish, I’ll skip the breadcrumbs and make a lemon butter sauce to coat the scallops with using lemon juice, lemon zest, oil, and garlic.
- To make frozen scallops in the air fryer, I always cook them a little longer. I usually air fry mine for about 4 minutes, flip, then air fry for another 3 minutes.
- Swap out large scallops for bay scallops. Because these are smaller, they’ll cook much faster, so I keep an eye on them to make sure I don’t overcook them.
- I like to switch up the spices when I’m in the mood for another flavor. Cajun, lemon pepper, blackened seasoning, or Old Bay seasoning are some of my favorite alternatives.
What to serve with Air Fry Scallops
I love serving my scallops along with a complementary main dish like pasta, risotto, or rice. They also pair nicely on top of salads.
For some simple veggies or sides to round out the meal, I serve them with air fryer asparagus, air fryer carrots, sliced potatoes in the air fryer, or a baked sweet potato in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Scallops FAQs
What’s the difference between sea scallops and bay scallops?
I usually prefer sea scallops because they are larger and have a meatier bite. Their size and texture makes them great for air frying! Bay scallops are smaller and sweeter, so they’re better suited for stews or gumbos.
How long to cook scallops in the air fryer
I find that fresh, unfrozen sea scallops take about 5 minutes in the air fryer at 390 degrees F to cook all the way through. I air fry them until they are opaque and golden brown with a firm yet tender texture.
What size scallops should I use?
For air frying scallops, I recommend using sea scallops. Because they’re larger, it’s easier to avoid overcooking them. In my experience, smaller bay scallops can cook too quickly and become rubbery if I don’t watch them closely.
How to store leftover air fried scallops
I transfer any leftover air fryer scallops to a shallow airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. If I have extra uncooked scallops, I’ll store them the same way and make sure to cook them within 2 days.
How to cook frozen scallops in the air fryer
To make frozen air fryer scallops, I start by preheating the air fryer to 390 degrees F. I follow the usual steps to coat the scallops in butter and breading, then air fry them for about 7 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
How to reheat leftover scallops in the air fryer
The air fryer is perfect for reheating scallops! I preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F, then air fry the scallops for 2-3 minutes until they’re warmed all the way through and the breading is crispy again.
Do I need to remove the muscle before air frying the scallops?
Yes, I absolutely advise removing the side muscle! This part of the scallop is tough and chewy, plus it can retain sand, so it’s best to remove before air frying scallops.
How do I get my air fryer scallops crispy?
My biggest tip for getting crispy scallops is to dry them really well. This helps the butter, breading, and seasonings adhere better, which is the key to getting a crunchy coating.
I also give my air fryer enough time to preheat so the basket is hot when the scallops go in. This is crucial to getting the scallops nice and crispy on the outside.
More Air Fryer Dinner Recipes
- Air fryer pork chops
- Air fryer tuna steaks
- Air fryer chicken legs
- Air fryer roast beef
- Air fryer chicken tenders
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Easy Air Fryer Scallops
Ingredients
- 1 pound sea scallops patted dry
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, pepper, and salt together. Pour the melted butter into a second shallow bowl.
- Dredge each scallop through the melted butter, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture until they’re completely coated.
- Arrange the scallops in a single layer in the air fryer, working in batches if necessary.
- Air fry them for 5 minutes, using tongs to carefully flip them over halfway through cooking until they are opaque and golden brown, and read 115 degrees F with a meat thermometer.
Video
Notes
- Use sea scallops because they are larger and have a meatier bite.
- Pat the scallops completely dry to allow the butter and seasonings to stick better.
- Remove the side muscle from the scallops. It’s usually removed at the seafood counter, but this small muscle holds sand and is tough and chewy.
- Leave space between each scallop in the air fryer to make sure the hot air can circulate to cook each one properly and crisp up the coating.
- Flip the scallops carefully to avoid taking off the coating. I use rubber tongs to gently grip each scallop.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Reheat scallops in a preheated air fryer at 390 degrees F for 2-3 minutes until they’re warmed all the way through and the breading is crispy.
- To make frozen air fryer scallops, cook them in a preheated air fryer at 390 degrees F for about 7 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
I’m starting to believe that the air fryer is a perfect solution for almost all cooking. These are spectacular! Thanks for sharing your easy recipe.
Wow, so good, I had never had fried scallops. Loved them air-fried.
Very tasty, super easy to make. It’s a keeper!
Made these as my first air fryer recipe and loved them! Husband said they were as good as any restaurant scallop.
I think the method is great. I did season differently, once thawed, I brushed w/melted butter then sprinkled on a bit of garlic powder, salt, paprika, curry powder & blk pepper, the repeated seasoning on other side when I turned 1/2 way through. seasoned very lightly, they were great, ty!
Super easy to make and tastes great! I just cooked them for around 10 minutes….air fryer and scallops is a great combo!
Followed the recipe exactly, but the most of the breading fell off almost immediately. Took much longer than suggested to get the scallops brown. Had to finish them in the frying pan.
Hi Graham, it’s important to pay dry anything you will be breading so everything will stick. I’m thinking the scallops might have been still wet when breaded which caused the breading not to stick well.
What kind of air fryer do you have? I used a basket air fryer for this, preheated, but an air fryer oven will take a few minutes to cook and brown them up.