Air Fryer Scallops are such a great way to make scallops! Air frying fresh or frozen (then thawed) scallops makes perfectly cooked scallops every time ready to serve with pasta, steak, salads and tacos.
Looking for more easy Air Fryer recipes? Also try my Air Fryer Chicken Legs, Best Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Potatoes, Air Fryer Shrimp, and my super tender and delicious Air Fryer Salmon.
Why This Recipe Works
You get evenly cooked scallops every time: No messing around with a hot pan, your air fryer will cook perfectly tender and cooked-though scallops every single time.
They work with so many recipes: I’ve kept things simple with these Air Fryer Scallops so they’re a versatile add-in to luxe up a simple meal – ideas below!
Ingredients
- Large scallops
- Salt
- Cracked black pepper
- Cooking spray: Try to use an all natural cooking spray and always check the manufacture instructions as some cooking sprays can damage the non-stick coating on your air fryer basket.
- Fresh lemon wedges: Optional, to serve.
Here’s How To Make It
Step by Step Instructions
- Prepare the scallops: Clean your scallops and remove the roes if desired. Pat very dry on kitchen paper and season on each side with a few twists of both the salt and pepper mill. (photo 1)
- Prepare the air fryer: Spray the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray and arrange the scallops in a single layer with at least an inch between them. (photo 2)
- Cook the scallops: Cook the scallops for 6 minutes, without turning at 400F. The internal temperature of each cooked scallop should be 120F. If they’re a little on the small side, reduce cooking time by 1 minute. Don’t worry if the scallops don’t color, they won’t in the air fryer. (photo 3)
- Serve: Serve immediately finished with a spritz of fresh lemon. (photo 4)
Expert Tips
- Remove the roe if it does not suit the recipe. Some people don’t like the taste and want to remove the orange roe if the scallops come with them attached. However, they will happily cook with the scallops so only remove them if their rich, fishy flavor does not suit how you’re serving them.
- Change up the flavors. I’ve written this recipe to make plain Air Fryer Scallops so you’re left with a versatile cooked scallop that will work with almost any recipe. But, you can also toss them with different spices and seasonings, or pair them with other citrus to suit whatever you’re cooking. If it works with shrimp, it will probably work with scallops!
Frequently Asked Questions
They’re delicious added to pastas, tacos, salads, and even stuffed into a bacon sandwich for an old-school British type of surf-n-turf. Or, you could serve them with greens, potatoes and my lemon butter sauce, or in the place of shrimp or lobster alongside a Valentine’s Day steak.
No, for the scallops to cook evenly this recipe is only really suited to a basket air fryer without a rotator paddle.
It is safest to thaw them completely before cooking. Also, they’ll be too wet cooking them from frozen and will turn slightly rubbery in texture.
More Easy Seafood Recipes To Try
- Simple Grilled Salmon with Cajun Spices
- Old Bay Shrimp Boil Foil Packs
- Best One Pan Cajun Shrimp and Rice
- Healthy Baked Salmon with Lemon, Garlic and Herbs
- Baked Salmon and Asparagus in Foil with Herb Butter
Did you make this recipe? FANTASTIC. Please rate the recipe below and be sure to tag me on social when you share a photo on social – I love seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!
Air Fryer Scallops
Ingredients
- 8 scallops - choose large ones
- salt - to taste
- cracked black pepper - to taste
- cooking spray
- lemon wedges - to serve
Instructions
- Clean your scallops and remove the roes if desired. Pat very dry on kitchen paper and season on each side with a few twists of both the salt and pepper mill.
- Spray the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray and arrange the scallops in a single layer with at least an inch between them.
- Cook the scallops for 6 minutes, without turning at 400F. The internal temperature of each cooked scallop should be 120F. If they’re a little on the small side, reduce cooking time by 1 minute. Don’t worry if the scallops don’t color, they won’t in the air fryer.
- Serve immediately finished with a spritz of fresh lemon.
Notes
- Some cooking sprays can damage the non-stick coating on your air fryer basket.
- These scallops don’t reheat well so scale the recipe to only cook as many as you need.
