Buttery air fryer scallops recipe is tender and delicious in your Ninja Foodi or Cosori are geat served on rice or butter noodles. We will show you how to cook fresh, defrosted, or how to cook frozen scallops here.
Super easy Air Fryer Scallops are made in under 20 minutes are elegant, and the perfect dinner option for any occasion. Buttery scallops with garlic on a pile of butter noodles are one of the best air fryer recipes will ever eat. (affiliate links present)
You guys already know how obsessed I am with Ninja foodi recipes. But did you realize you could seriously throw something as delicate as bay scallops inside and cook them in a matter of minutes?!?! It doesn’t matter what name brand you have, they all basically work the same.
How Long to Cook Scallops in Air Fryer
Stay close as how long to cook scallops in this case typically only take 5-7 minutes depending on their size and shouldn’t be over-cooked. This will vary depending on size, thickness, and whether they are frozen but still under 15 minutes is about right.
The biggest tip no matter what you use is to keep your food spread out and in one layer. That will ensure you get a nice crisp on the outside all the way around no matter what type of air fryer fish recipes you decide to make.
There are lots of seasonings you can add when these are done, but these two are the most common. When cooked we leave it pretty simple but when crisped a bit on the outside it is game on!! If you like a bit of heat you can use our Cajun Garlic Butter Sauce instead of just plain. 😉
Sometimes we get in the mood for seafood or my favorite air fryer crab cakes from Joe’s Crab Shack…..but I don’t feel like traveling to a nice restaurant to make it happen.
with frozen scallops
Starting out from rock hard is possible with the butter on top to keep them moist. You will need twice as long and I like to flip them more than once during the 10-12 minutes total to cook evenly. A lower temperature is key at 360 degrees so they can thaw and gently cook from the outside in.
The best way to defrost them is to leave them in the bag they came in and set that inside a bowl with cool water. Check, and if it has warmed up but they aren’t softened yet, change the water to cool again.
What temperature is best for air frying scallops?
You don’t want it too high or the outside will get too browned before the center can cook all the way thru. 360F is the best heat as far as we have found. If you forgot to defrost these babies it is okay. For this you want to cook a bit lower in temperature to get them just right.
While these are known for being served at fancy dinner parties, you can totally make them any time or for any reason. I served this with some butter noodles. It’s the most simple recipe ever, and you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen. Plus, even the kids will eat the noodles without complaint even if they don’t want them! Parenting win!
Drizzled with melted butter, sea salt, pepper, garlic with a glass of wine, a fresh garden salad, you can enjoy your sea scalloped cooked in the air fryer this way.
What should the internal temperature of scallops be?
They should reach an internal temperature of 130 degrees F. before serving. You never want to overcook these, or they will turn tough. On the other hand, it’s equally as important not to undercook either. They can make you very ill if you eat them raw or undercooked.
More Seafood Air Fryer Recipes
Looking for other air fryer fish recipes you’ll love? We have a bunch because each one has turned out so great like:
- Frozen fish in air fryer saves the day when you forgot to defrost dinner.
- We’ve even made air fryer frozen shrimp and air fryer fried shrimp before.
- Air fryer fish and chips is probably my girls’ favorite snack.
- This very lightly breaded air fryer tilapia is a great choice as well with some vegetables.
- We’ll end these ideas with some air fryer oysters…oh yes we did!
Air Fryer Scallops
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 16 oz scallops, fresh or defrosted
- 1 stick butter
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- salt and pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Boil egg noodles on stovetop (if you want to serve scallops with this).
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- Put your fresh or defrosted sea scallops on paper towels to dry scallops on outside of each.
- Sprinkle each one with salt and pepper.
- Spray air fryer basket with non stick spray and lay scallops inside so they aren't touching.
- Cook for 3 minutes. While you're waiting, combine butter and garlic in a bowl and melt in microwave.
- Flip over scallops after 3 minutes and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Then open basket and brush some butter on each one. Continue cooking for last 2 minutes for 7 min. total (timing will vary slightly depending on how large your pcs. are).
- Remove, serve over butter noodles that are cooked and pour remaining butter mixture over the top of everything. Serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What do scallops taste like?
When perfectly cooked with a bit of cooking oil in a preheated air fryer basket, they have a very similar taste to clams, oysters, lobster, and crab, all tied together. They are sweet and have a flavor that is sort of nutty. If you haven’t tried scallops before, now is the time to make it happen. You aren’t going to regret it.
How do you thaw frozen scallops?
In the refrigerator
Place the frozen scallops in a bowl and add a piece of plastic wrap. Let them sit in the fridge overnight or until they are thawed. This is the best way to thaw them, but you will notice you have to plan ahead a little bit since it takes longer.
In cold water
Simply place the scallops in a ziplock bag and make sure it’s closed tightly. Then put the bag into a bowl and add cold water. The reason you need to put the frozen scallops in a bag is if you put them directly in the water, they will be watered down.
What temperature do you air fry the scallops?
@Peggy,
Sorry, somehow missed the temp is 400.
I think I will try using cauliflower or broccoli rice as the bed to put the scallops on. Will have to find wild caught scallops first, though. Assuming I find the ingredients, will let you know how we like it .