Air-Fried Scallops: A New Wave Of Deliciousness

Scallops are a delicious seafood option that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including pan-frying, deep frying, and air frying. Air fryers have become an increasingly popular way to cook scallops, as they produce crispy and perfectly cooked scallops without the need for excessive oil. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make scallops using an air fryer, as well as offer tips and tricks to ensure a delicious and easy cooking experience.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cooking process. It ensures your food cooks evenly and efficiently, achieving that desirable crispy texture. Here's a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer to 400°F:

Step 1: Understand the Benefits of Preheating

Preheating your air fryer is similar to preheating an oven. It ensures that your food starts cooking at the desired temperature from the get-go, reducing the overall cooking time. This is especially beneficial when cooking frozen foods or aiming for a crispy texture.

Step 2: Prepare the Air Fryer

Before preheating, ensure that your air fryer is clean, plugged in, and ready to use. Refer to your air fryer's manual for any specific instructions or troubleshooting advice. Leave the basket inside the air fryer during preheating to ensure even heating.

Step 3: Set the Temperature and Time

Set the air fryer's temperature to 400°F. The preheating time can vary depending on the size of your air fryer and the specific model. Smaller air fryers may take around 2 to 3 minutes, while larger ones might need 4 to 5 minutes. Most air fryers will reach 400°F in about 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 4: Initiate Preheating

If your air fryer has a preheat button, simply press it, set the temperature, and let the air fryer do its work. If there's no preheat button, manually start the heating process by setting the timer for the appropriate preheating duration.

Step 5: Wait for the Desired Temperature

Let the air fryer warm up to 400°F. You can monitor the temperature using the air fryer's display or by referring to its indicator lights. Once it reaches the desired temperature, you'll be ready to start cooking your scallops or any other delicious dish!

Remember, preheating at 400°F is ideal for achieving a crispy texture on foods like steaks, burgers, fried chicken, and breaded items. It's also perfect for baking, ensuring your treats are cooked evenly and avoiding underbaked goodies. However, always refer to your recipe and the air fryer's manual for specific instructions. Now you're all set to cook those scallops to perfection!

Prepare the scallops

Start by removing the side muscles from the scallops. Pat them dry with paper towels—this will help you achieve the perfect sear. If your scallops are frozen, you can defrost them overnight. If you're in a hurry, you can use the microwave on low power.

Next, season the scallops. You can use a mixture of olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper, or opt for lemon pepper seasoning, salt, and pepper. You could also try a Cajun or Creole seasoning, or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Make sure to coat the scallops evenly.

If you're using a deep fryer, you'll need to prepare a flour mixture, an egg batter, and some dry breadcrumbs. Dip the scallops in the flour mixture, then the egg batter, and finally, roll them in the breadcrumbs.

For an extra crispy texture, you can try using crushed buttery crackers instead of flour. Dip the scallops in melted butter, then roll them in the cracker crumbs, along with some garlic powder and seafood seasoning.

Season the scallops

Seasoning the scallops is an important step in the cooking process. It helps bring out the scallops' natural flavours and ensures that every bite is just right.

Firstly, you'll want to pat the scallops dry with a paper towel. This will help you achieve a golden sear without any steam getting in the way. You should also remove the tough side muscle, as this is chewy and not pleasant to eat.

When it comes to choosing your seasonings, you have a few options. A simple option is to use salt and pepper, which will elevate the taste of the scallops. You can also add olive oil to ensure your scallops get a beautiful sear and to prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket.

If you want to get a little more creative, you can try using Old Bay Seasoning, a classic blend of spice and warmth. You can also add garlic for a punch of flavour and a fragrant, irresistible aroma. For a zestier taste, swap out the Old Bay for lemon pepper seasoning, which will give your scallops a fresh, citrusy kick.

Once you've chosen your seasonings, mix them together in a medium bowl and toss the scallops until they are evenly coated. Make sure to be generous with the seasoning to really bring out the flavours.

Cook the scallops for 6-8 minutes

Now that you've prepared your scallops, seasoned them, and preheated your air fryer, it's time to cook them to perfection. Place the scallops in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch each other. This will allow the hot air to circulate evenly and give your scallops that perfect golden edge with a tender middle. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the scallops in batches.

Close the air fryer and let the scallops cook for 6-8 minutes. Flip them over halfway through to ensure even cooking on both sides. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your scallops, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Smaller bay scallops, for instance, will require less time, so adjust your timer accordingly. Aim for an internal temperature of 125-130°F for perfectly cooked scallops.

While the scallops are cooking, you can start making the garlic butter sauce. Melt some butter in a skillet and sauté garlic cloves until they release their fragrant aroma. The scallops will be ready when they turn opaque and have a firm feel to them. Plate them with lemon wedges and fresh parsley, then drizzle the garlic butter sauce on top for a mouthwatering finish.

And that's it! Your air fryer scallops are now ready to be devoured. Enjoy the juicy, tender scallops with their natural sweetness enhanced by the garlic butter sauce. Don't forget to serve them with your choice of sides, such as rice, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or linguine. Bon appétit!

Make a sauce to serve with the scallops

Now that you have your perfectly cooked scallops, it's time to make a sauce to serve with them. Here are some ideas:

Garlic Butter Sauce

This sauce is a classic choice for scallops. To make it, simply melt some butter in a pan and saute garlic cloves until fragrant. You can also add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for extra flavour. Toss the scallops in this garlic butter sauce and serve immediately.

Lemon Caper Sauce

For a bright and tangy sauce, you can make a lemon caper sauce. Start by creating a brine solution with kosher salt and hot water, then add ice water to cool it down. Add the scallops to this brine and let them sit for about 10 minutes. Remove the scallops from the brine, rinse them, and pat them dry. Heat some olive oil in a pan, add the scallops, and sear them until golden brown. Remove the scallops from the pan and set them aside. In the same pan, add garlic, white wine (optional), chicken broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, capers, and Dijon mustard. Reduce this mixture until you have a thickened sauce. Finally, add the scallops back to the pan and cook until warmed through.

Citrus Ginger Sauce

For a refreshing and spicy sauce, try making a citrus ginger sauce. Pat your scallops dry and sprinkle them with salt. Heat some avocado oil in a pan until very hot and sizzling, then add the scallops and sear for about 1.5-2 minutes on each side until golden. Remove the scallops from the pan and set aside. In the same pan, add butter, orange juice, lemon juice, and grated ginger. Whisk the sauce together until it simmers, then add the scallops back to the pan and spoon the sauce over them. Plate the scallops, drizzle with more sauce, and garnish with fresh thyme.

Tartar Sauce

A quick homemade tartar sauce can be made by combining mayonnaise, finely chopped sweet bread and butter pickles, and lemon juice. Cover and chill the sauce until it's time to serve.

Rémoulade Sauce

Rémoulade sauce is another delicious option to serve with your scallops.

Frequently asked questions