Air Fryer Scallops

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These Air Fryer Scallops are easy to prepare with minimal ingredients and work as an appetizer or as part of a main meal. They’re tender and succulent and served with garlic butter, fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice!

The air fryer is one of my favourite ways to prepare seafood. These mini air fryer crab cakes are the perfect appetizer for entertaining and this crispy breaded air fryer cod is a delicious alternative to deep fried fish!

Scallops topped with melted butter and chopped parsley on a white plate.

If you’re looking for an easy recipe to add to your seafood line up or you’re just in need of an elegant appetizer for a dinner party, these air fryer scallops are a must try!

They take very little time to prepare and only 5-6 minutes to cook in the air fryer!

While I season them with old bay seasoning, you can change it up with different spices or keep it simple with salt and pepper.

Sea scallops vs bay scallops

The recipe calls for sea scallops, which are large scallops that come from deeper, cold waters. Sea scallops can range in size but usually measure about 1 1/2 – 2 inches in diameter. The sea scallops I used in this recipe were a little on the small side.

Bay scallops, on the other hand, are much smaller (about 3 times smaller) and harvested from shallow bays. They’re also a little more tender and sweeter.

Both types of scallops are delicate and cook quickly.

Given the size difference, sea scallops are ideal for serving as an appetizer and work well pan seared or in the air fryer. I prefer to use smaller bay scallops for stews and chowders like this dairy-free seafood chowder.

Ingredients to make air fryer scallops arranged individually.

Details on the ingredients

Scallops: You’ll need 1 1/2 pounds of sea scallops for this recipe. They’re usually available year round, so you should be able to find them fresh at your local grocery store or fish market. If not, you can use frozen scallops and defrost them first.

Oil: My preferred oil is extra virgin olive oil but olive oil or avocado oil will also work in this recipe.

Old bay seasoning: This is a mix of different herbs and spices that’s mildly spicy with a salty flavour. I used 1 1/2 teaspoons to season the scallops but you can use more or less to suit your taste.

Butter: I used salted butter for the melted garlic butter, but if you only have unsalted, you may wish to add a dash of salt.

Garlic: Just one clove of garlic is minced and added to the butter for serving with the scallops. If you prefer extra garlicky melted butter, feel free to use another clove of garlic.

Lemon: You’ll need a few fresh lemon slices or wedges to serve with the scallops.

Parsley: To garnish, the scallops are served with some chopped fresh parsley. You can also use some fresh thyme, tarragon, dill or chives.

How to prepare scallops for cooking

Place the scallops in a colander and rinse under cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.

Use a knife or your fingers to remove the side muscle. This is a small flap of tissue that can just be torn or cut off the side of the scallop.

Raw scallops in a glass bowl and tossed with seasoning.

Scallops arranged in a single layer in an air fryer basket.

How to cook scallops in the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 400F.

In a large bowl, gently toss the scallops with oil and old bay seasoning.

Arrange the scallops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd them.

Air fry for 5-6 minutes, flipping the scallops halfway through cooking.

Repeat until all of the scallops are cooked.

Serve immediately with melted garlic butter, lemon wedges and fresh chopped parsley.

Serving options

Served on their own, I suggest keeping it simple with a little melted garlic butter, some fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice.

As a main meal, scallops are delicious with steak and paired with side dishes like rice, risotto, salad, air fryer vegetables or air fryer corn on the cob.

You can also serve these scallops with pasta for a complete meal. We love them tossed with this lemon garlic pasta.

Up close view of air fried scallops topped with melted butter and chopped parsley.

Frequently asked questions

Can bay scallops be used instead of sea scallops?

I prefer sea scallops for this recipe, but if you only have bay scallops, just reduce the air frying time to about 3 minutes. Since bay scallops are much smaller than sea scallops, they will be ready in half the time.

Does the side muscle need to be removed?

The side muscle is edible, but it can get tough when it’s cooked, so I recommend removing it from the scallops before cooking. (It can be easily torn off the side of the scallops).

Do scallops need to be rinsed before cooking?

It’s not absolutely necessary, but I like to give them a quick rinse under cold water. You’ll definitely want to do this if you’re using defrosted frozen scallops.

What temperature is best for air frying scallops?

Scallops are usually cooked over high heat, so 400F in the air fryer is the best temperature.

How long does it take to air fry scallops?

Scallops cook quickly, so at 400F, it will only take 5-6 minutes for the scallops to air fry. If you’re using bay scallops, they will cook in about 3 minutes. If your scallops are on the larger side, you may need to add another minute or two.

How do you know when scallops are cooked?

Scallops are fully cooked when they look opaque. Unlike pan searing, scallops do not get golden brown in the air fryer. So be careful not to use this as your cue for doneness. The scallops will dry out before they brown in the air fryer.

Can you air fry frozen scallops?

While I’m sure you can, I recommend defrosting frozen scallops in the fridge overnight before seasoning them and air frying.

Air fried scallops arranged on two white plates next to lemon wedges and a glass of wine.

Key recipe tips

Type and size of air fryer. This recipe was tested in a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer. If you have a different size, brand or model, you may need to adjust the air frying temperature and time slightly.
Preheating your air fryer. Some brands of air fryers call for preheating. I prefer to preheat mine so the scallops hit a hot basket and start cooking right away.
Non-stick basket. If your air fryer doesn’t have a non-stick basket, you may wish to spray your basket with oil or line it with foil or parchment paper to ensure the scallops don’t stick to the basket.
Pat the scallops dry with paper towels. After you rinse the scallops, make sure they are dried before seasoning them. Excess moisture will affect how well they air fry.
Air fry in a single layer. To ensure the scallops cook evenly, you’ll want to air fry them in a single layer and not overcrowd them. This will mean air frying in 2-3 batches.

More air fryer seafood recipes

Close up of air fryer scallops on a white plate.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!

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