These air fryer scallops are juicy, tender, and surprisingly simple to make! Seasoned with zesty lemon pepper seasoning, they are a treat that’s ready in under ten minutes.
Scallops can be tricky to cook well. You don’t want to undercook them, and if you overcook them, they can become rubbery and lose the buttery texture that makes them so delicious. Making air fryer scallops, on the other hand, means they come out perfectly every time.
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This air fried scallops recipe is super low in fat but high in protein. It will add the protein you need in a quick meal without a lot of work from your end. They are also a good source of Iron, Omega 3, and Vitamin B12, which help to keep you strong and in good health.
Ingredients for scallops cooked in air fryer
This easy air fryer recipe only has four ingredients (and one of those is optional!):
- Sea scallops - fresh or frozen.
- Lemon pepper seasoning - you can buy this in most grocery stores or online.
- Olive oil spray
- Fresh chopped parsley to garnish
You can find the full recipe with ingredients at the end of this post or use the jump to recipe button at the top of this page.
How to cook sea scallops in the air fryer
Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400°F for five minutes.
While the air fryer is heating up, pat them dry with a paper towel, spritz with olive oil, and season with the lemon pepper seasoning on both sides.
Put the seasoned scallops in the air fryer basket and cook to 400°F for 6 minutes. Ensure that you turn them halfway through so they cook evenly.
Take them out of the air fryer and serve. Enjoy straight away with your favorite sauce.
Recipe tips
- Cooking time varies depending on the scallops' size and how hot your air fryer can get.
- You can make frozen scallops in the air fryer, but this recipe was tested with defrosted scallops instead of frozen. Defrosting them ensures that they cook properly all the way through. It also means that the seasoning will stick more effectively to the outside for a better flavor, and you’ll get a slightly crispy finish around the outside.
- When making scallops in the air fryer, it’s a good idea to pat them dry first because excess moisture prevents heat from conducting, which means they won’t cook as well.
- Lemon pepper seasoning. I like to use ready-made lemon pepper seasoning as it tastes great and means the recipe is simple for those nights when you don’t have a lot of time to cook. However, you can make a great fresh lemon pepper seasoning using lemon zest and salt and pepper. Try adding dried onion, thyme, or coriander seeds, too!
How to thaw scallops
There are three ways that you can thaw out them to be ready to use in this fried scallops recipe:
Defrost them in the fridge.
- Put as many of them as you plan to cook in a plastic container or bowl in the fridge, and ensure you cover them with a lid or plastic wrap. If you’re using scallops frozen in the shell, remove the meat and rinse it off under the cold tap to remove dirt and grit before transferring to the refrigerator.
Defrost them in cold water.
- If they aren’t in watertight packaging already, ensure that you wrap them well, and submerge them in cold water (not warm as this will start to cook them), changing the water every 30 minutes until thoroughly defrosted.
- For best results, I use the fridge method. The cold water method can sometimes leave them saturated with water if you don’t wrap them very well.
What seasoning do you put on scallops?
When seasoning them, it’s important to remember that scallops have a delicate flavor that you want to highlight rather than overpower.
Using lemon pepper seasoning is the best scallop recipe because it accentuates its natural, slightly salty flavor.
Some other herbs that work well are:
- Thyme
- Tarragon
- Parsley
- Chives
- Basil
- You can also try adding a hint of chili if you enjoy food with a kick!
How long to air fry scallops
Cooking scallops in the air fryer only takes about six minutes, as long as you make sure you’ve preheated the air fryer first.
- Cook them for three minutes on one side, and then three on the other for an even finish.
How do you know when scallops are done?
- You can tell that scallops are done when both sides are golden brown, and they are starting to break down slightly along the edge.
- You can check yours by cutting them with a knife. If they are cooked, they will fall apart with only a little pressure.
- If you’re cooking large scallops in air fryer, you might want to use a meat thermometer to check that they’ve cooked all the way through. What temp are scallops done? You’re looking for a temperature of 125°F at the center of it.
What to serve with scallops
These lemon pepper scallops have a subtle flavor, so it’s best to pair them with dishes that won’t overpower them.
- Scallops go beautifully with kale and apple salad; the sweetness of the apple creates a beautiful contrast.
- Scallops and cured meats are a match made in heaven! Try wrapping them in pancetta or serving them up with these healthy Brussel sprouts, which are roasted with bacon.
- Air fryer butternut squash is a great autumnal pairing.
- If you’re looking for something a little different, try serving air fryer scallops alongside fresh strawberry pineapple salsa and instant pot brown rice or this delicious instant pot risotto recipe.
- For a keto or low carb meal, I like to serve them with this air fryer asparagus or this instant pot mashed cauliflower, or even loaded mashed cauliflower.
How to store air fryer sea scallops
They will keep for between three and four days in the refrigerator if you store them correctly. Be sure to wrap them well in foil and seal them in an airtight container.
Can you reheat scallops?
It’s entirely safe to reheat scallops as long as you have stored them correctly and you eat them within four days.
- When reheating scallops in air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Brush or spray the scallops with a bit of oil and cook them for two to three minutes until they have warmed all the way through.
- You can also reheat scallops in a preheated oven at 400°F for ten to fifteen minutes.
Tools used to make the recipe.
More seafood air fryer recipes
- Air fryer shrimp with garlic lemon butter
- Air fryer halibut (pistachios crusted)
- Tuna steaks with lime dipping sauce
- Fish nuggets
- Smoked salmon taquitos
- Air fryer blackened salmon
- Air Fryer Swordfish Steaks Recipe
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Air Fryer Scallops Recipe
These air fryer scallops are juicy, tender, and surprisingly simple to make! Seasoned with zesty lemon pepper seasoning, they are a treat that’s ready in under ten minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound sea scallops
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- Olive oil spray
- Fresh chopped parsley, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile pat dry the scallops with a paper towel, spritz with olive oil and season with lemon pepper seasoning on both sides.
- Place in the preheated air fryer basket and cook to 400ºF for 6 minutes turning halfway through.
- Remove from the air fryer, serve with your favorite sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cooking time varies depending on the scallops' size and how hot your air fryer can get.
- You can make frozen scallops in the air fryer, but this recipe was tested with defrosted scallops instead of frozen. Defrosting them ensures that they cook properly all the way through. It also means that the seasoning will stick more effectively to the outside for a better flavor, and you’ll get a slightly crispy finish around the outside.
- When making scallops in the air fryer, it’s a good idea to pat them dry first because excess moisture prevents heat from conducting, which means they won’t cook as well.
- Lemon pepper seasoning. I like to use ready-made lemon pepper seasoning as it tastes great and means the recipe is simple for those nights when you don’t have a lot of time to cook. However, you can make a great fresh lemon pepper seasoning using lemon zest and salt and pepper. Try adding dried onion, thyme, or coriander seeds, too!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 314Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 650mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 47g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.