These succulent air fryer scallops are a game-changer for seafood lovers seeking a quick, restaurant-worthy meal at home. Ready in just 15 minutes, these perfectly seared scallops boast a golden-brown exterior while maintaining their tender, juicy center.
With only 193 calories per serving and packed with 7g of protein, they’re not just delicious – they’re a healthier alternative to traditional pan-fried versions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Large Fresh Scallops: 7-9 pieces, cleaned and thoroughly patted dry for best results
- Seasonings: 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper for perfect flavor balance
- Unsalted Butter: 3 tbsp, melted to create a luxurious sauce
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced for aromatic flavor
- Italian Seasoning: 1/2 tsp to enhance overall taste
- Garnishes: Fresh parsley and lemon wedges for bright, fresh finish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preparation: Season scallops evenly on both sides with salt and pepper
- Arranging: Place scallops in air fryer basket ensuring they don’t touch each other
- Air Frying: Cook at 400F for 10 minutes, remember to flip halfway through
- Sauce Making: While scallops cook, combine minced garlic and herbs with melted butter
- Finishing Touch: Transfer scallops to serving plate and drizzle with garlic-herb butter
- Serving: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges
Cooking Techniques
Getting perfect scallops in your air fryer is super easy! The key is starting with dry scallops – just pat them gently with paper towels before seasoning. This helps you get that lovely golden-brown outside. The air fryer basket needs some space between each scallop, so they cook evenly and get that nice color all around.
Quick Tips for Success
Want the best results? Here are some friendly tips: Don’t skip patting the scallops dry – it’s what helps them brown nicely. When you flip them halfway through cooking, use tongs to be gentle. If your scallops are smaller than usual, check them at 8 minutes instead of 10. Your garlic-herb butter can be made ahead while waiting, but warm it up again just before drizzling.
Serving Suggestions
These buttery scallops make a wonderful meal! Try them on a bed of angel hair pasta or with a side of roasted asparagus. They’re also amazing with creamy risotto or simple steamed rice. Don’t forget to squeeze those fresh lemon wedges right before eating – it adds such a bright, fresh taste! For a light meal, serve them over a mixed green salad with the garlic-herb butter as a warm dressing.
Storage Tips
Scallops are best eaten right away while they’re warm and tender. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To warm them up, pop them in the air fryer for just 1-2 minutes at 350°F – any longer and they might get tough. The garlic-herb butter can be stored separately and reheated gently in the microwave.
Air Fryer Scallops
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 7-9 Large Fresh scallops cleaned and patted dry
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
- 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter melted
- 2 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- Fresh Parsley for garnish
- Lemon Wedges for serving
Instructions
- Season the scallops with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Place the scallops in the basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 400F/204C degrees for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cook time.
- Meanwhile, stir the garlic and herbs into the melted butter.
- Transfer cooked scallops to a plate and drizzle with the garlic-herb butter.
- Serve immediately garnished with parsley, with lemon wedges on the side.
