Cody Casey
Breaded scallops are a quick and easy seafood dish that can be made in an air fryer in just a few minutes. They are a great option for those who love the flavour of shellfish but don't enjoy the grease and mess that come with frying. Breaded scallops can be cooked in an air fryer in a similar way to deep-fried scallops, but without the smell and mess. This method also results in a lighter and healthier dish.
How to cook breaded scallops in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat temperature | 390-400°F |
| Preheat time | 5 minutes |
| Scallop preparation | Pat dry, season, coat in butter, roll in breadcrumbs |
| Scallop arrangement | Single layer, not overlapping, with space between each scallop |
| Air fryer preparation | Spray basket with cooking spray or wipe with high-heat cooking oil |
| Cooking time | 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway through |
| Scallop appearance | Golden brown, opaque, slightly firm to the touch |
| Internal temperature | 115-130°F |
| Serving suggestions | Melted butter, tartar sauce, lemon wedges, salad, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, pasta |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is the first step to cooking breaded scallops. Set your air fryer to 390–400°F (198–200°C) and allow it to preheat for 5 minutes. The exact temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model, so refer to its instructions if necessary.
Once preheated, you should prepare your air fryer basket or tray. Lightly spray or wipe the basket with cooking spray or high-heat cooking oil. This will prevent your scallops from sticking to the basket and ensure even cooking. You can also line your air fryer with foil to make the clean-up process easier, but this is optional.
When preparing the scallops, ensure that they are patted dry before placing them in the air fryer. This will help them develop a crispy texture during cooking. It is also important to ensure that your scallops are not overcrowded in the air fryer. Leave some space between each scallop to allow for proper air circulation, which will ensure even cooking and a crispy coating.
By preheating your air fryer and preparing your equipment and scallops, you will create the optimal environment for cooking breaded scallops. This will help ensure that your scallops are cooked evenly and have a desirable crispy texture.
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Prepare the scallops
Preparing scallops for cooking in an air fryer is a simple process. Firstly, ensure your scallops are fresh, with a nice sheen to them. If you are using frozen scallops, remember to thaw them in the refrigerator ahead of time.
Before breading the scallops, pat them dry with a paper towel. This is an important step to ensure your scallops turn out crispy. You can also remove the side muscle from the scallops at this point. The muscle is usually removed at the seafood counter, but it can be tough and chewy, and it may retain sand.
Next, prepare your breading. You can use a mixture of breadcrumbs and seasoning, such as Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, or salt and pepper. You can also add an egg to your breading mixture to help the breading stick to the scallops. If you are using a simple breadcrumb mixture, you can dip the scallops in melted butter before coating them.
Once your breading is ready, coat the scallops thoroughly. Use your fingers to pat the coating into each scallop. Make sure the scallops are completely coated and that there is no excess breading that will fall off into the air fryer.
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Coat the scallops
To coat the scallops, you'll first need to pat them dry with a paper towel. This will help the coating stick to the scallops and ensure they become crispy when cooked.
Next, prepare your coating. You can use a mixture of breadcrumbs and seasoning, such as Italian breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, or Cajun seasoning. You can also add salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder to your mixture. For an extra crispy coating, you can dip the scallops in melted butter before rolling them in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure each scallop is thoroughly coated.
If you want to be extra thorough, you can use a three-step coating process. First, dip the scallops in cornstarch, then beaten egg, and finally, coat them in panko crumbs. This will give your scallops an extra crispy and golden crust.
Once your scallops are coated, you can place them in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch each other to avoid overcrowding. You may need to cook them in batches.
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Cook the scallops
To cook the scallops, start by preheating your air fryer to 390-400°F. You should then lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Next, dip each scallop into melted butter, and then roll them in the breadcrumb mixture until they are completely coated. Make sure to pat the scallops dry first, as this will help the butter and breadcrumbs stick better. You can also season the scallops with salt, pepper, paprika, and salt-free lemon pepper seasoning before coating them in butter and breadcrumbs.
Once the scallops are coated, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the scallops in batches. Leave space between each scallop to ensure the hot air can circulate and cook each one properly.
Now, you can air fry the scallops for 5-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The scallops are done when they are opaque and golden brown, and have an internal temperature of 115-130°F.
Finally, serve your scallops with a light and refreshing side dish such as a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or pasta. Enjoy!
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Serve the scallops
Now that your scallops are cooked, it's time to serve them! Breaded scallops are best served with a light and refreshing side dish to avoid overpowering their delicate flavour. Some good options include a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or pasta. If you're feeling fancy, you can also serve them with a dipping sauce like melted butter, tartar sauce, or a squeeze of lemon.
If you have any leftover scallops, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze cooked scallops for up to 2 months. To reheat, use the air fryer for the quickest and easiest method—it will help retain the crispy texture of the breading. Simply reheat the scallops in a preheated air fryer at 350°F/200°C for 1-3 minutes, until they are warmed through.
If you're looking to elevate your breaded scallops even further, try experimenting with different seasonings and coatings. For example, you can use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy texture. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, coat your scallops in a cajun-breadcrumb mixture for a spicy kick.
With their crispy golden exterior and tender, juicy centre, your air-fried breaded scallops are sure to impress. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Start by preheating your air fryer to 390-400°F. While the air fryer is preheating, coat the scallops in a mixture of cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and breadcrumbs. You can also add some beaten egg to the mixture. Place the coated scallops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other. Air fry for 5-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The scallops are done when they are opaque and golden brown.
Cooking breaded scallops in an air fryer typically takes around 5-8 minutes, depending on the size of the scallops. Smaller bay scallops will cook more quickly, needing only 1-2 minutes per side. Larger sea scallops may take 1-2 minutes longer than average-sized scallops.
To make breaded scallops crispy in an air fryer, it is important to pat the scallops dry before cooking and to ensure that the air fryer basket is well-coated with cooking spray or high-heat cooking oil. You can also spray the scallops with a little olive oil or avocado oil spray before air frying to make them even crispier.
