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Home » Recipes » air fryer » Air Fryer Scallops

June 12, 2021

Air Fryer Scallops

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Air Fryer Scallops | Foodtastic Mom #airfryerrecipes #scalloprecipes #airfryerscallops #howtocookscallops via @foodtasticmom

Air Fryer Scallops is a fool-proof recipe for cooking pre-frozen, smaller scallops. Perfect for topping salads and pasta.

air fryer scallops served on a Caesar salad
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I love seafood, but I usually order it in a restaurant rather than fix it at home. Although my air fryer is helping me to serve more fish at home in these past couple of years. There’s nothing like large, fresh scallops seared to perfection. But I live in Ohio, so I do not have access to fresh seafood on a regular basis. I always go with frozen. Frozen scallops at my Kroger are pretty small and they aren’t ideal for searing in a hot pan. It’s very easy to overcook them. As with other types of protein, the air fryer comes to the rescue again! Air Fryer Scallops are stupid simple to make.

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taking a bite of air fryer scallops

How to make Air Fryer Scallops

Buy some frozen scallops and seasoning. I like a Cajun seasoning on my scallops. Blackened seasoning would also be a good choice (and is very similar). Whatever you use, a little goes a long way.

Thaw the scallops and remove side muscles

Here’s a photo collage to show what I mean. After thawing my scallops according to package directions (quick thawing means soaking the bag of scallops in a bowl of cold water for about 15-20 minutes) I look through them. Some still have this little side muscle attached. It’s edible, but tough when cooked. It pulls off very easily.

how to remove the side muscle from scallops

Make sure they are dry before seasoning

I rinse my scallops under cold water and then gently pat them dry in between layers of paper towels. Sprinkle them lightly, and only on one side, with your seasoning. Trust me, a little goes a long way!

Do you have to preheat your air fryer?

Scallops cook very quickly and overcook easily. I have never found it necessary to preheat my air fryer with any of my recipes. So the answer is no, do not preheat your air fryer.

How many scallops can you cook at once in the air fryer?

It depends on the size of your air fryer basket. You should be able to easily cook 12 – 15 smaller scallops at one time.

How do you know when the scallops are done?

Take their temperature! An instant read digital thermometer is necessary when cooking raw meat and seafood in your air fryer. Scallops are safe to eat (tender and delicious) when their internal temperature reaches between 125 – 130 degrees F.

taking the temperature of air fryer scallops

AIR FRYER TIPS

  • I use a Philips XXL Air Fryer to test all of my recipes.
  • Click to find all my Best Air Fryer Recipes.
  • Here’s my favorite instant read digital thermometer.
  • Aerosol cooking sprays like Pam will destroy the non-stick coating of your air fryer basket over time. There’s no need for oil of any kind to cook scallops.
  • To clean your air fryer basket (and remove any “fishy” smell) add about 1/4 cup of lemon juice (bottled) to the bottom of your basket and let it soak for a few minutes before washing it.

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Air Fryer Scallops | Foodtastic Mom #airfryerrecipes #scalloprecipes #airfryerscallops #howtocookscallops

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Air Fryer Scallops | Foodtastic Mom #airfryerrecipes #scalloprecipes #airfryerscallops #howtocookscallops
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5 from 5 votes

Air Fryer Scallops

Air Fryer Scallops is a fool-proof recipe for cooking pre-frozen, smaller scallops. Perfect for topping salads and pasta.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes minutes
Servings 2
Calories 124kcal
Author Jill McOwen

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 12 oz bag of frozen scallops
  • 2 tsp Cajun or blackened seasoning

Instructions

  • Thaw the frozen scallops according to package directions.
  • Rinse the scallops under cold water and drain well.
  • Gently remove any visible side muscles.
  • Gently dry the scallops between two layers of paper towels.
  • Lightly season one side of the scallops with your seasoning of choice.
  • Place the scallops in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
  • Cook them at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches between 125 and 130 degrees F. There's no need to flip the scallops over during the cooking process.
  • Serve the scallops on top of a Caesar salad or Fettuccine Alfredo.

Nutrition

Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 667mg | Potassium: 362mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

More Air Fryer Recipes

  • Homemade Fish Sticks
  • Air Fryer Salmon
  • Fish Tacos
  • Air Fryer Shrimp
  • Shrimp Tacos
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Found In: air fryer, seafood

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Claudia Lamascolo says

    June 12, 2021 at 2:42 pm

    5 stars
    I can’t wait to try these scallops are my all time favorite seafood!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      June 13, 2021 at 5:09 pm

      I think you’ll really love them!

      Reply
  2. Jac says

    June 12, 2021 at 3:15 pm

    5 stars
    These look so simple but impressive. I have to host my family for dinner this week so I know what they will be enjoying for starters. Thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      June 13, 2021 at 5:09 pm

      Great idea! Glad to help. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Biana says

    June 12, 2021 at 3:32 pm

    5 stars
    We like seafood, and this is an amazing air fryer recipe to make seafood! Such a great summer recipe.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      June 13, 2021 at 5:08 pm

      I agree. Thanks Biana!

      Reply
  4. Emily Liao says

    June 12, 2021 at 3:33 pm

    5 stars
    These scallops came out perfectly after cooking in the air fryer!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      June 13, 2021 at 5:08 pm

      Thank you! So glad you liked them!

      Reply
  5. Jayne says

    June 12, 2021 at 3:44 pm

    5 stars
    I make scallops all the time! Love them. Have never tried them in my air fryer. Can’t wait to try this recipe, thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      June 13, 2021 at 5:08 pm

      I was pleasantly surprised at how well they turned out. Enjoy!

      Reply

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My name is Jill and I share simple and delicious, family-friendly recipes. I want you to feel super in YOUR kitchen!

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