Air-Frying Seafood: Shrimp And Scallops Perfection

Yes, you can cook shrimp and scallops in an air fryer. In fact, seafood is a popular food group to cook in an air fryer, as it can be cooked quickly and easily without the mess and grease of traditional frying. Scallops, in particular, are a favourite food to cook in an air fryer, as they can be cooked in under 10 minutes and come out juicy, tender, and with a delicate, slightly sweet flavour. They are also naturally packed with protein and have very little fat.

Air fryer scallops with lemon butter sauce

Yes, you can cook shrimp or scallops in an air fryer. In fact, scallops are a quick and easy seafood dish that can be made in just a few minutes. They are naturally packed with protein and have very little fat.

Ingredients:

• Scallops
• Butter
• Lemon
• Salt
• Pepper
• Salt-free lemon pepper seasoning
• Parsley
• Garlic (optional)
• Chives (optional)

Steps:

Preheat your air fryer to 400˚F. Once preheated, spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel and season them well with salt, pepper, and salt-free lemon pepper seasoning on both sides. Place the seasoned scallops in the air fryer in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other.

Cook for 6 to 7 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. For really thick scallops, you may need to add another minute of cooking time. The scallops are cooked when they are slightly golden and firm to the touch.

While the scallops are air frying, melt butter with garlic, lemon zest, and chives in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant.

Remove the scallops to a plate and serve with the lemon butter drizzled on top. You can also sprinkle them with finely chopped parsley and serve with fresh lemon juice.

This dish is best served with a light and refreshing side to complement the natural flavor of the scallops. Some good options include a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or pasta.

Cooked scallops can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days or frozen for up to two months.

Air fryer scallops with garlic herb butter

Yes, you can cook shrimp or scallops in an air fryer. In fact, cooking scallops in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a luxurious meal at home. This air fryer scallops with garlic herb butter recipe is one of my go-to meals when I want something quick, easy, and impressive.

Ingredients:

• Scallops
• Butter
• Garlic
• Salt
• Parsley
• Lemon juice
• Oil
• Bay seasoning

Method:

First, preheat your air fryer to 400˚F. Rinse and pat the scallops dry, then season with salt, pepper, oil, and bay seasoning on both sides. Place the scallops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Cook for 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.

While the scallops are cooking, make the garlic herb butter by melting butter and adding minced garlic and parsley, then stirring. Once the scallops are cooked, top them with the garlic herb butter and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Scallops are best served with a light and refreshing side dish such as a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or pasta. Avoid anything too heavy or rich, as this will let the natural flavour of the scallops shine through.

Cooked scallops can be stored in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to two months. They can be reheated in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave, but the air fryer is the quickest and easiest method. Simply reheat in the preheated air fryer at 400˚F/200˚C for 1-3 minutes.

Air fryer breaded sea scallops

Yes, you can cook shrimp or scallops in an air fryer. In fact, cooking scallops in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a seafood dish that can be made in just a few minutes.

Ingredients:

• Sea scallops
• Butter
• Italian breadcrumbs
• Cracker crumbs (optional)
• Garlic powder
• Seafood seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper
• Parsley
• Lemon

Instructions:

• Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F (198 degrees C) or 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Mix cracker crumbs, garlic powder, and seafood seasoning together in a shallow bowl. Place melted butter in a second shallow bowl.
• Dip each scallop in melted butter, then roll in the breading until completely coated. Set on a plate and repeat with remaining scallops.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
• Arrange scallops in the prepared basket so that they are not touching each other; you may need to work in batches.
• Cook in the preheated air fryer for 2 minutes.
• Turn scallops over gently with a small spatula and cook until opaque, about 2-3 more minutes.
• Brush them with more butter, sprinkle finely chopped parsley over them, and serve with sliced lemon.

Note: It is important to pat dry the scallops with a paper towel before cooking to remove excess moisture. This will ensure that the breading sticks properly and that the scallops cook evenly.

Juicy and tender scallops

Firstly, pat the scallops dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then, season them generously with salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add some paprika or lemon pepper seasoning. Brush the scallops with butter before cooking.

Next, generously grease an air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the scallops in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes, then cook the scallops for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. The scallops are cooked when they are slightly golden and firm to the touch, with an internal temperature of 125-130°F.

Finally, brush the scallops with more butter and sprinkle with finely chopped parsley. Serve with fresh lemon juice and a light and refreshing side dish, such as a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or pasta.

You can also reheat scallops in the air fryer. Reheat at 400°F/200°C for 1-3 minutes until warm.

Storing and reheating scallops

Storing scallops:

According to the US Department of Agriculture, cooked scallops can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three or four days before bacterial growth starts to accumulate. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to two months.

Reheating scallops:

There are several ways to reheat scallops, including using an air fryer, stovetop, oven, or microwave.

Air fryer: Reheating scallops in an air fryer is a great way to maintain their crispy exterior. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) or 400°F/200°C. While the air fryer is preheating, arrange the scallops in a single layer on the air fryer basket or tray, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Place the scallops in the preheated air fryer and cook for 1-3 minutes or 2-3 minutes, depending on the heat setting. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.

Stovetop: The stovetop method is a classic way to reheat scallops. Start by heating a skillet or pan over medium-low heat. Add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the skillet to prevent sticking and add flavour. Place the scallops in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired internal temperature. Remove the scallops from the pan immediately after heating to prevent further cooking.

Oven: To reheat scallops in the oven, place them in a lightly greased pan and cover them with foil or a lid. Reheat at a low temperature (275°F) for 20-25 minutes, or 10-15 minutes followed by a quick sear in a heated pan.

Microwave: Place the scallops in a microwave-safe dish with any sauce or a small amount of water. Cover with a microwave-safe cover or plastic wrap. Set the power to 90% and cook for 20-30 seconds, or until heated through. If you want a crust on the scallops, sear them quickly in a hot pan after microwaving.

Steaming is also a recommended method for reheating scallops, as it helps prevent them from drying out.

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