Air Fried Scallops with Lemon Butter

Air Fried Scallops with Lemon Butter are quick to make, use only a few simple ingredients, and are super versatile. The scallops are perfectly tender, flavorful, and made even better with the lemon butter pairing.

Why I Love It:

• Cooks in Under 10 Minutes - Scallops cook crazy fast in the air fryer!
• Staple Spices - All you need are a couple of staple spices to well season the scallops.
• Versatile - Such a easy protein to make that can be served with lots of sides.

Ingredients

• Scallops - I used sea scallops. If you use bay scallops, you will need to reduce the cooking time as they are smaller.
• Spices - Lemon Pepper, Paprika, Salt
• Lemon Butter - Lemon Zest, Fresh Parsley, Butter, Minced Garlic
• Cooking Spray

How To Make Air Fried Scallops

1. Season Scallops - Start by seasoning the dried scallops on both sides with the spices.
2. Air Fry - Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray then add the scallops (make sure they're not touching). Air Fry for 5-6 minutes at 4000 degrees F until cooked through (opaque and 125 degrees F internal temp.)
3. Lemon Butter - Mix together the melted butter, lemon zest, parsley, and garlic. Drizzle over the cooked scallops or serve on the side for dipping.

Substitutions

• Cajun or Old Bay Seasoning - Try swapping in Cajun or Old Bay seasoning for the Lemon Pepper and Paprika.

Variations

• Crispy Breaded Scallops - If you want a crunchy outside, try dipping the raw scallops in melted butter then dredge in plain breadcrumbs mixed with the spices.
• Cook in the Oven - Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 14-16 minutes in a 400 degrees F oven.
• Cook on the Stovetop - Heat up a little oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the seasoned scallops for 4-5 minutes on each side.

Equipment

• Air Fryer - You can use a basket style air fryer or a toaster oven style air fryer. If you don't have an air fryer, you can make them in the oven or on the stove (see the Variations section for more info.)

Leftovers and Storage

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, either eat leftovers cold (like on a salad) or reheat in the air fryer for just a couple of minutes.

Recipe Tips

• Dry Scallops - Make sure to dry them thoroughly before seasoning so you can get a nice crust on the outside.
• Don't Overcook - Scallops cook very quickly and they only need to be an internal temperature of ~125 degrees F. If you overcook them, they can get tough.

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Thaw Scallops

• In the Refrigerator - Frozen scallops can be thawed in the fridge overnight.
• In Cold Water - For faster thawing, you can place the scallops or package in a bowl of cold water. They will thaw in just 1-2 hours. Make sure the water stays cold

Serving Ideas

• Grilled or Roasted Veggies - like this Roasted Broccolini
• Pasta - I love this Herbed Lemon Orzo or a creamy pasta.
• Rice or other grain
• Salad - Like this Arugula Salad

Other Air Fryer Seafood Recipes

• Air Fryer Crab Cakes - They are crunchy on the outside, tender and moist on the inside, and super flavorful.
• Air Fryer Salmon - Takes only minutes to cook, is flavorful, healthy, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. Mix up a simple salmon seasoning to rub on the salmon filets then pop in the air fryer.

Like this recipe? Sign up for my e-mail list so you get a weekly e-mail with new recipes from the week as well as occasional ‘bonus’ content not found on the blog! E-mail link sign up!

Those ads on the page? A portion of all ad revenue is being donated to Warrior Dog Rescue. A MN-based dog rescue that I foster and volunteer with.

Print

Recipe