Description
Succulent air fryer scallops bring ocean-fresh flavors to your dinner plate with minimal effort. Perfectly golden and delicate, these tender seafood gems offer a restaurant-quality experience right from your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) sea scallops
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 2 small cloves)
Cooking Fat:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted (or olive oil)
Instructions
- Inspect the scallops and remove any tough side muscle using a sharp knife for clean preparation.
- Thoroughly rinse the seafood under cold water, then meticulously dry each scallop with paper towels to ensure optimal searing.
- Transfer the scallops into a mixing bowl and incorporate melted butter, minced garlic, Old Bay seasoning, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.
- Gently toss the ingredients, ensuring each scallop is uniformly coated with the aromatic seasoning blend.
- Prepare the air fryer basket by lightly coating with cooking spray or placing a parchment liner to prevent sticking.
- Carefully arrange the seasoned scallops in a single, non-overlapping layer within the basket to promote even heat circulation.
- Configure the air fryer to 400°F and cook the scallops for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side, totaling 8-10 minutes of cooking time.
- Monitor the scallops closely, looking for a tender, opaque appearance and light golden exterior as indicators of perfect doneness.
- Once cooked, remove the scallops immediately to prevent overcooking and preserve their delicate texture.
Notes
- Remove the side muscle from scallops to ensure tender, smooth texture and prevent chewiness.
- Thoroughly pat scallops dry to achieve perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming in the air fryer.
- Use melted butter or olive oil to enhance flavor and help seasonings adhere to the delicate seafood.
- Arrange scallops in a single layer without overcrowding to guarantee even cooking and crispy exterior.
- Flip scallops midway through cooking to develop uniform color and prevent uneven heat distribution.
- Check doneness by ensuring scallops are tender, opaque, and have a light golden-brown crust without overcooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 202
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 274mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 50mg