This easy Air Fryer Breaded Sea Scallops recipe is the best way to prepare healthy "fried scallops" from the comfort of your own home. Fresh sea scallops coated in seasoned bread crumbs are air fried to perfection in under 20 minutes.
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Check out my Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers and my Healthy Air Fryer Pickles for more delicious air fryer recipes!
Air fryer breaded sea scallops are a great way to change up how you prepare scallops. When cooked correctly, fresh sea scallops are soft with a buttery, slightly sweet flavor which compliments the salty, crunchy breading perfectly.
The air fryer helps achieve a golden crisp outer-layer while the delicate sea scallops stay rich and juicy. This easy air fryer recipe is great to serve as a quick appetizer or as the main course with your favorite sides.
What Are Sea Scallops? Let's first briefly discuss what sea scallops are and what they taste like. These saltwater-dwelling creatures thrive in deep, cold water all around the world. In the US, the majority of fresh sea scallops are harvested off the coast of New England.
Scallops are a type of saltwater fish called Bivalve Mollusks meaning they have two shells (like clams, mussels and oysters). The interior muscle surrounded by the two shells is the part we eat.
The meat tastes similar to lobster or crab. Perfectly cooked scallops are firm yet tender with a buttery, subtlety sweet flavor and a hint of saltiness.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Breading sea scallops before air frying is a unique way to cook and serve this protein packed seafood.
- Fresh scallops are rich in protein and loaded with heart healthy nutrients. They are low in calories and a great addition to your diet.
- The breading is seasoned just right, adding another dimension of flavor and texture to the already delicious scallop meat.
- The air fryer helps achieve the perfect golden brown crisp on the outside of the sea scallops without deep frying in calorie dense oil.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Fresh Sea Scallops: Can be found in seafood markets and grocer seafood departments. Select large, firm and dry scallops. Steer clear of any that are shiny or appear soft.
- Sea Salt: Comes from evaporated seawater, so it just makes sense to use sea salt with seafood. It balances the delicate flavors of the fresh sea scallops.
- Ground Black Pepper: Adds more flavor to the breading. I prefer freshly ground black pepper because it lends more fresh peppery heat to the recipe than prepared black pepper.
- Olive Oil: Lightly coats the sea scallops, giving the bread crumbs and seasonings something to adhere to.
- Garlic Powder: Adds mild garlicky flavor to the breading without overpowering it.
- Onion Powder: Adds a pleasant onion flavor (sweet and savory).
- Traditional Bread Crumbs: Are nothing more than crumbled bread yet they are great for adding crunch and a crispy coating to seafood, chicken, pork, etc.
- Old Bay Seasoning: Traditionally used to season seafood (specifically Maryland blue crabs). The blend itself consists of 18 different herbs and spices and is great sprinkled on way more than just seafood!
Step-By-Step Instructions
The least messy way to bread the scallops is by using 3 separate gallon sized resealable bags. Add olive oil to the first one, salt, pepper, garlic and onion power to the second one and the bread crumbs and Old Bay to the last. Now you're ready to get started.
Step 1: In the first bag (with the olive oil) add the scallops, seal the bag and gently shake until the scallops are coated in oil. With tongs, gently transfer scallops to the second bag with the seasonings, seal the bag and then give the bag a good shake, coating the scallops in seasonings. To finish breading the sea scallops, transfer them to the bread crumb bag, seal and shake.
Step 2: Now it's time to put the air fryer to work but first spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. In the air fryer basket, space out breaded scallops in a single-layer. Do not overcrowd the pieces in the basket. If necessary, work in batches.
Step 3: Cook at 400 ℉ for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of your scallops.
Step 4: Using a meat thermometer check the internal temperature. The scallops are cooked through and safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 145 ℉.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- If the side muscle of the scallop wasn't already removed, simply pull it off with your fingers. The side muscle is consumable. It's just tougher than the rest of the meat.
- Depending on the size of your sea scallops, plan on 4 to 6 scallops per serving.
- Lightly spray breaded scallops with cooking spray before air frying for maximum crispiness.
- If fresh sea scallops aren't locally accessible, you can use frozen. Just be sure to thaw them out completely and pat dry with a paper towel before preparing.
Variations
- Switch up the spice. Old bay tastes more smoky than it does spicy. Craving more heat? Use your favorite Cajun seasoning blend instead.
- Add grated parmesan to the bread crumbs instead of Old Bay.
- Use panko breadcrumbs instead of traditional breadcrumbs. They serve the same purpose. Panko breadcrumbs just have larger flakes, so the texture of the breading will be slightly different.
- If scallops aren't your thing, this recipe will also work with shrimp. Select extra large to jumbo peeled shrimp and follow the recipe as is.
Storing & Freezing
- Storing: Let scallops cool to temperature before placing in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Place cooled scallops in a freezer safe container or freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before reheating.
- Reheating: To reheat, place scallops in a single-layer in a 375 ℉ air fryer for 6 to 8 minutes or until the breading is once again golden brown and the internal temperature is at least 145 ℉. I do not recommend microwaving breaded scallops.
Recipe FAQ‘s
Bay scallops are much sweeter and much smaller than sea scallops. Sea scallops are great for pan searing and frying while bay scallops are more often used in soups and stews.
There are approximately 189 calories in a 4 ounce serving.
No air fryer? That's okay. To bake, place breaded sea scallops on a baking sheet and cook at 400 ℉ for 16 to 20 minutes (flipping each piece halfway through).
These scallops are great served with homemade French fries, coleslaw and a side of cocktail. For a lighter option, serve hot scallops over a bed of mixed greens with your favorite vinaigrette.
More Air Fryer Recipes You'll Enjoy
Air Fryer Breaded Sea Scallops
Special Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh sea scallops defrosted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ cup traditional bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a large bowl, or resealable bag. Add scallops and coat thoroughly.
- Combine the salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder to a second bowl, or bag. Transfer scallops from olive oil to seasonings and toss to coat.
- Combine bread crumbs and Old Bay seasoning to third bowl, or bag. Transfer scallops from seasonings to bread crumb mix and toss to coat.
- Remove the basket from the air fryer and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray. Space out the scallops in the basket. You may need to cook scallops in a couple batches so they aren’t overcrowded.
- Cook at 400°F for 12 minutes. Up to 15 minutes if the scallops are larger, reaching an internal temperature of 145°F.
Notes
- Depending on the size of your sea scallops, plan on 4 to 6 scallops per serving.
- Scallops are considered cooked through and safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 145 ℉.
- Different air fryer brands may cook at different rates, so be sure to keep on eye on food.
- Lightly spray breaded scallops with cooking spray before air frying for maximum crispiness.
- If fresh sea scallops aren’t locally accessible, you can use frozen. Just be sure to thaw them out completely and pat dry with a paper towel before preparing.
- Storing: Let scallops cool to temperature before placing in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Place cooled scallops in a freezer safe container or freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before reheating.
- Reheating: To reheat, place scallops in a single-layer in a 375 ℉ air fryer for 6 to 8 minutes or until the breading is once again golden brown and the internal temperature is at least ℉. I do not recommend microwaving breaded scallops.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Jeff
Making these tonight, and just wondering why the breading is 3 steps instead of 2 -- I plan to add the salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder to the breadcrumbs along with the Old Bay.
Kate
You can definitely do it that way. I like to season the food and then add seasoned breading for layers of flavor, but either way will be fine here.
Faith Still
These look delicious 😋
Joyce
Try crushed pork rinds instead of bread crumbs very good!
Catherine Fitzgerald
Delicious and so easy! I will definitely be making these again and often! I used three shallow bowls which are washable rather than plastic bags which aren't eco-friendly or recylable.
Erika
I'm glad you enjoyed them, Catherine. Great idea on the shallow bowls. 🙂
Deborah
Great recipe. My only quibble is that very fresh scallops (or fish) are best cooked to 125-130 degrees. I understand why your recipe recommends a safe 145 degrees, however the scallops will be overdone. Your yummy scallop recipe will be the headliner for the Superbowl game this weekend!
simplylowcal
I understand, Deborah. I go off the USDA food temperature guidelines, but definitely use your best judgement when cooking. I hope you enjoy your scallops and the game. 🙂
linda
Looks delicious. I wonder, can you substitute panko bread crumbs? Thank you!
simplylowcal
Yes, you can do that. 🙂
Garima
I never thought of making in air fryer....looks so great
Cookilicious
The more successful recipes I see using an Air Fryer, the more tempted I am to get one!
Cyndy
You must have read my mind because I just bought scallops yesterday and was trying to come up with a new way to prepare them! This is perfect and I am always looking for new fun air fryer recipes. Can't wait to test this out.
Angela
What a fabulous way to make scallops! Perfect texture and the crust is delicious!!
Andrea Metlika
Oh my do these sea scallops sound delicious. Very happy this is an air fryer recipe.
Charla
Never tried air frying scallops before, now you have inspired me to try it. Thanks!