Air Fryer Garlic Lemon Butter Scallops

Air Fryer Garlic Lemon Butter Scallops a simple dish prepared in the air fryer. They are such a healthy and delicious dinner. So easy to make, in the air fryer, and so fast.

I love a great plate of scallops, but they are so expensive in the restaurants, so today I air-fried my own, and they were fabulous. I made a simple, simple sauce for them using only lemon and garlic. They were perfectly cooked and seasoned.

This is such an easy recipe, for a quick KETO and Low-Carb dinner or lunch! And with the air fyrer these cook up so quickly.

If you are looking for some other great and easy Air Fryer Seafood Recipes, some of my faovrites are AIR FRYER FROZEN COCONUT SHRIMP, AIR FRYER FLOUNDER FISH, AIR FRYER LEMON PEPPER SHRIMP and AIR FRYER CHORIZO SPICED SHRIMP TOSTADAS.

What Are Scallops?

Scallops are nothing more than the interior of a mollusk. They are similar to oysters, mussels, or clams.

The inside of shell is where the meat lies. You can prepare the scallops in many different ways, including pan-frying, grilling, baked or in our case Air Fried.

Some Tips On Making Air Fryer Scallops

If you have never prepared scallops before, this recipe is easy. You can buy them fresh at the seafood counter in your local grocery store. Or you can grab a bag of frozen scallops from the freezer section.

If you have frozen scallops to thaw them, either place them in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes or place them in the refrigerator the night before you want to cook them.

Air Fryer Scallops

Ingredients:

• Thawed Scallops
• Olive Oil
• Butter
• Minced Garlic
• Lemon Juice
• Salt, Black Pepper, and Parsley

How To Make Air Fryer Garlic Lemon Butter Scallops

1. Spray your air fryer basket with olive oil spray.
2. Place the scallops into the air fryer basket.
3. Set the temperature to 400 degrees F, for about 4 to 6 minutes, air fryer setting.
4. Check the internal temperature of the scallops with a meat thermometer.
5. Remove scallops from the air fryer.
6. In a small mixing bowl, mix the olive oil, melted butter, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and parsley.
7. Serve the scallops with the side of the sauce, or drizzle over them before serving.
8. Plate, serve, and enjoy!

How To Thaw Scallops

If you have frozen scallops, you can easily thaw them for a quick dinner or lunch. To safely thaw them,

• Place them into a bowl of cold water; it will take about 10 to 20 minutes to thaw the scallops fully.
• If you want to thaw them overnight, place them into the refrigerator overnight to thaw safely.

How To Air Fry Frozen Scallops

It is wonderful to air fry frozen scallops, although it is hard to marinade them. Place the frozen scallops directly into the air fryer basket.

Set the temperature to 400 degrees F, air fryer setting, and flipping halfway for 6 to 8 minutes. And basting with butter during the cooking process.

How To Pan Fry Scallops:

If you want to make the recipe in your cast-iron skillet or another skillet, it will take you about 10 minutes. Here is how to prepare them:

• Add vegetable oil into your skillet, turn it to medium-high heat until the oil is heated up.
• Then add your scallops, cook for bout 2 to 3 minutes per side, and then use a spatula to flip the scallops and continue to cook until fully done.

What are the best scallops to use?

There are actually two types of scallops you can purchase at your local grocery store, bay scallops or sea scallops.

I typically end up buying sea scallops because they are larger than bay scallops. People say that sea scallops are sometimes more tender, but they are best used in baked dishes because they are minimal.

If you are looking for a meaty entree to serve your family, I will go with typical sea scallops. But, if you are looking for an appetizer, go with the bay scallops.

What should I look for when buying scallops?

If you are buying frozen scallops, I would choose a larger size scallops. Scallops like shrimp are sold in different sizes, here are the different types available:

• U/10 -This means that it would take about 10 of them to make a pound
• U/15- This means that it would take about 15 of them to make a pound
• U 20/30- This means that it would take about 20 to 30of them to make a pound

Wet- Vs. Dry-Packed Scallops

What I did notice when I went to the grocery store and then on a trip to Whole Foods is there are two different types actually sold, wet or dry-packed scallops.

The difference is that scallops are typically packed in grocery stores with water, a process referred to as Wet Packed Scallops. Unforutnley, the cost of the water is something you will be paying for since the water is inside the scallop.

The other type is Dry-Packed Scallops, which means that dried packed, without any water, which means you are paying only for the scallops themselves.

The price of the wet packed scallops is far less than dry-packed. I have found that some of the best prices for scallops is actually at Costco or Trader Joes.

Can you make them ahead of time?

Truthfully, since these take such a little time to cook up, and they taste so much better fresh, This is one item that I would make and then serve right away.

If you have any leftover, place them into an airtight container and then reheat them on the stove or back into the air fryer. You will only need a few minutes, and for the best flavor, I would brush them with butter.

What To Serve Air Fryer Garlic Lemon Butter Scallops With

I love serving scallops with a big old garden salad, especially as the summer comes and when produce becomes in season.

But you can serve it with pasta or rice, as a side dish. Or make a great air fryer surf and turf dinner, with a great air-fried steak.

However you serve it, it will be delicous!

Some Other Great Air Fryer Seafood Recipes-

AIR FRYER SHRIMP

EASY AIR FRYER SHRIMP ROLL

AIR FRYER LOBSTER GRILLED CHEESE

SOME HELPFUL PRODUCTS USED IN MAKING THIS RECIPE–

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. At no cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

INSTANT VORTEX PRO AIR FRYER OVEN 9 IN 1 WITH ROTISSERIE, 10 QT, EVEN CRISP TECHNOLOGY

DON’T FORGET TO PIN–

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