Air Fryer Scallops are easy to make in just minutes! This restaurant-quality seafood dish is delicious when served as either an appetizer, side dish, or main course. Read on for all of my air fryer tips and this simple way of cooking scallops in the air fryer that delivers big flavors.
Scallops are a delicious and decadent seafood that are easy to prepare at home.
I love cooking with scallops! If you’ve never cooked scallops at home before, there are so many different ways you can cook them.
You can sear scallops, like in this Seared Scallops and Corn recipe or this Seared Scallops with Pasta recipe. Or you can sauté scallops in a sauce, such as this One Pan New Orleans-style BBQ Shrimp and Scallops.
Grilled scallops are also delicious, like in these Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Scallops.
But one of the fastest and easiest ways to cook scallops is in the almighty air fryer. It’s SO easy!
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🌟 Why this recipe works
Air fryer scallops are amazing to cook at home!
- You’ll save money – a LOT of money. At most restaurants, you’ll find scallop dishes ranging from $15 to $40 for one serving. You can buy a pound of frozen scallops at your local grocery store for around $13 to $18 right now, and that’s enough scallops for at least four dinner serving portions.
- They cook quickly. Scallops sear quickly in a cast-iron skillet (like for these Seared Scallops and Corn recipe), but cooking scallops in the air fryer is even faster!
- Less mess. Cooking scallops in the air fryer prevents the oil or butter splatter that can happen when you cook them in a pan on the stove.
- Big flavors. The air fryer circulates hot air around the scallops, similar to a convection oven, so the scallops absorb all of the aromatics and herbs. So tasty!
🛒 Ingredient notes
You don’t need a lot of ingredients to make amazing scallops at home.
Scallops – You can use fresh or frozen scallops, but if you’re using frozen, be sure to thaw them out in the refrigerator overnight first. Buy sea scallops (also known as diver scallops), which are larger in size than bay scallops.
Aromatics and herbs – Use a combination of fresh minced garlic, fresh or dried dill, salt and pepper, and a bit of paprika to season the scallops.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
- Start by rinsing thee scallops and patting them dry with a paper towel. Place scallops in a large bowl then season with salt and pepper. Then add the olive oil, butter, garlic, lemon, dill, and paprika.
2. Gently mix together the scallops until they are well coated with the herbs and spices.
3. Place scallops in a single layer placed slightly apart with room around each scallop in your air fryer basket(s). You may need to work in batches if the scallops will not all fit in a single layer in your air fryer.
4. Air fry at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes. Scallops are done when a thermometer has an internal reading of 120°F. Serve immediately.
👩🏻🍳 Air frying tips and recipe FAQs
The scallops need room around each one so the heated air can circulate and cook them each properly. If you crowd the scallops so they’re all pushed next to each other, you run the risk of not cooking them properly and evenly.
So do not wait until you see the classic golden brown seared outside before you check the temp! When cooked in the air fryer, scallops will no longer be translucent and will be a more solid white color. But because there’s no searing involved, they will not have a dark seared crust as they would when cooked on the stove. Always use a food thermometer and check the temp to make sure the scallops are fully cooked at 120°F.
Rubbery scallops are often the result of overcooking. Be sure to see the notes above for what to watch for in cooked air fryer scallops. And always check the temperature
🍽 Serving ideas
You can serve these air fryer scallops as an appetizer, a starter, or as the main course for dinner.
If serving as a main course, try serving them over Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Instant Pot Garlic Rice. Then serve some grilled asparagus or air fryer broccoli on the side.
🥂 Scallop wine pairing
These scallops are so delicious and easy to pair with wine! Pair scallops with a bright white wine with some minerality to help bring out the salinity of the scallops. Go for a Pinot Grigio, a dry Riesling, or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you’ll need:
- Air fryer – This is the large air fryer that I have and use every single day. We love it so much! I also air fry in this XL multicooker.
- Kitchen tongs – Use kitchen tongs to move the coated scallops into the air fryer basket and to remove the cooked scallops out.
- Food thermometer – a food thermometer is an important kitchen tool! Use it to check the temperature of your scallops once they are done. If they are still below 120°F, air fry them for another minute and check the temp again.
More seafood recipes
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Easy Air Fryer Scallops
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound scallops
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
Instructions
- Rinse scallops and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, gently mix together the scallops, olive oil, butter, garlic, lemon, dill, and paprika.
- Place scallops in a single layer placed slightly apart your air fryer basket(s).Don't overcrowd the air fryer. You may need to work in batches if the scallops will not all fit in a single layer in your air fryer.
- Air fry at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes. Scallops are done when a thermometer has an internal reading of 120°F. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Such a genius idea to make scallops in the air fryer! Sooo good.
I could eat scallops every day so always great tofind a new way to prepare them. Such a delicious flavouring too.
I love scallops and was a little apprehensive to cook them in an airfryer, but wow, the result was just as you said – perfection! Definitely a great way to cook them :)
WOW! These scallops look fantastic. I am drooling. Cant wait to try your recipe.
What a great way to use the air fryer and these scallops look perfectly cooked.