Air fryer Scallops recipe is an easy way to prepare a quick and impressive dinner. All you need are some easy-to-find ingredients, and you’re all set. This is a very scallops meal that the whole family will love.

If you avoid fish and other types of shellfish, you may still like scallops because its eye is firmer than most shellfish meat and its flavor is mild yet sweet. Scallops are rich in vitamin B12 and potassium.

Air Fryer Scallops

Scallops buying tips:

The best scallops come from the top round, cut against the muscle fibers. Cutting against the grain ensures the thin scallops will not buckle when they hit the Air fryer heated pan.

If you are buying scallops for this air fryer scallops recipe, look for a smooth surface, which indicates they have been cut properly.

Fresh scallops should have a slightly sweet aroma and, when packaged, be practically free of liquid.

Scallops should be free of any black spots.

Look for scallops with a sweet smell and a fresh, moist sheen. Avoid any with a strong sulfur odor. Scallops can range in color from pale beige to creamy to orange. Avoid those that are stark white, a sign that they have been soaked in water as a marketing ploy to increase the weight.

Refrigerate shucked scallops immediately after purchase and use within 1 to 2 days.

Preparation Tips:

Scallops must be opened like oysters if purchased unshucked. Some sea scallops still have a small piece of tough connective tissue attached to one side, which should be pulled off and discarded. Scallops need only brief cooking. Overcooking or reheating cooked scallops will toughen them. The roe, if attached, can be cooked right along with the muscle. For the Air Fryer Scallops recipe, the large scallops should be sliced into smaller pieces.

Storage:

Once you leave the market, it is important to keep scallops cool and refrigerate it as soon as possible. At home, scallops should be rinsed under cool, running water, placed in a container, and covered with wet paper towels. Use scallops on the day of purchase, if possible especially for this air fryer scallops recipe, or the next day. Do not seal live scallops in a plastic bag. They need to breathe, so store them covered with wet paper towels. Use them as soon as possible after purchase. Shucked scallops that are refrigerated in the original container should stay fresh for a week. Plan to use commercially packaged frozen seafood stored in your freezer within 2 months for the best flavor.

Air Fryer Scallops Recipe Ingredients:

How to cook scallops in air fryer?

For perfect Air Fryer scallops dish, you need to follow these directions after preparing it as I mention in the preparation tips:

Step1: In a large bowl brush the scallops with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste (optional).

Step2: Place your scallops pieces into the air fryer once it’s heated to 390F, and then cook for two minutes. Flip and cook for an additional two minutes.

Step3: Serve with pasta, salad or roasted vegetables.

Serving Suggestions:

Scallops are suitable for a variety of preparation methods, including sautéing, grilling, broiling, and poaching. They also are used in soups, stews, and salads. Scallops cook very quickly — about 1 to 3 minutes — and no scallop needs to cook longer than 6 to 8 minutes, no matter how large.