Air Fryer Scallops

Scallops are not just for eating in a fancy restaurant anymore! Learn to make delicious and perfectly cooked Air Fryer Scallops with a garlic and herb butter sauce that will rival any seafood chef’s best dish.

Recipe Overview

This dish features fresh scallops, cooked up quickly and easily in the air fryer and then topped with decadent garlic-herb butter.

Garnished with fresh lemons and parsley and served with your favorite side dishes, these scallops will be one of your go-to fancy dinner meals. Serve this for a romantic dinner for two, or double the recipe for a small dinner party or family meal.

The best part about this restaurant style meal is that it’s completely simple. Just put the scallops in the air fryer and let the air fryer do its magic.

what do scallops taste like?

Scallops are a decadent seafood treat, one that is usually saved for a special occasion or an expensive night out. The good news is, that in my lifetime, scallops have become much more available in grocery stores. You can make them whenever you like!

Scallops are described as tasting both light and rich at the same time. They are buttery, slightly sweet, and salty like the ocean. The flavor of scallops is similar to lobster or crab, but the texture is more firm.

ingredients you’ll need

• Fresh Scallops – We’re using 7-9 large fresh scallops, about a pound. They should be in the meat or seafood section at the grocery store.
• Salt and Pepper – To season the scallops before cooking.
• Unsalted Butter – We will create a sauce for the scallops with a melted butter base.
• Garlic – You’ll need two fresh cloves of garlic, finely minced.
• Italian Seasoning – This blend of herbs is perfect on almost anything.
• Fresh Parsley– I love the little bits of green and the bright flavor that parsley adds here.
• Lemon Wedges – Serve wedges alongside your scallops as a functional garnish.

how to make them

1. Season the scallops with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Place the scallops in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
3. Air fry at 400F/204C degrees for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.
4. Meanwhile, stir the garlic and Italian seasoning into the melted butter.
5. Transfer cooked scallops to a plate and drizzle with garlic-herb butter.
6. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, with lemon wedges on the side.

what to serve with scallops

I think a dish like scallops calls for simple and delicious side dishes.

Try a potato, like Air Fryer Baked Potatoes or Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes, topped with butter. Add in a green vegetable like Air Fryer Green Beans and you’ll have a beautiful dinner plate.

Scallops also pair well with something like Risotto.

can use this recipe for frozen scallops?

Yes! Please note that this recipe was created using fresh scallops, so the timing here likely will be different for frozen scallops.

If you’d like to use frozen scallops for this recipe, I would suggest thawing them in the fridge before cooking them.

do I need to use oil with these scallops?

I did not need to oil my air fryer basket to cook these scallops. They are cooking at a high heat, so they don’t stick.

If you have had trouble with your air fryer basket sticking to other meats or seafood, then I would suggest brushing or spritzing your basket with a mild flavored oil before cooking.

more air fryer seafood recipes

If you have five minutes you can make some delicious Air Fryer Shrimp. It’s that fast in the air fryer!

Air Fryer Salmon is another favorite restaurant dish that can be easily made at home. You might also like these Air Fryer Salmon Patties.

This Southern style Air Fryer Catfish recipe will have everyone raving.