Bored with the same old seafood dishes? Looking for something new to try? Look no further than this delicious recipe for air fryer breaded scallops!
Not only is this recipe quick and easy, but it’s also packed with flavor and texture.
The succulent taste of scallops is perfectly complemented by the crunch of breadcrumbs, making this dish a true crowd-pleaser.
From choosing the right scallops to selecting the perfect breadcrumbs and ensuring even cooking, I’ll guide you through every step of the process.
And for those who like to mix things up, I’ve included some unique and delicious variations on the recipe.
But no meal is complete without the perfect sides and dipping sauces, and I’ve got you covered there too.
From roasted garlic mashed potatoes to quinoa salad, and from tartar sauce to sweet chili sauce, you’ll find plenty of ideas to round out your meal.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
Quick and easy – Let’s face it, cooking seafood can be intimidating.
But with this recipe, you don’t have to be a master chef to make a restaurant-quality meal. In just a few easy steps, you can have perfectly crispy and succulent scallops on your plate.
Healthy – If you’re looking for a healthy meal option, this recipe has got you covered. Air frying the scallops means you can enjoy the crispy texture without the added calories and fat of deep frying.
👨🍳 Air Fryer Breaded Scallops Ingredients
For this breaded scallops air fryer recipe you will need:
- 1 pound (450g) Scallops
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Cajun Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
✨ Making Breaded Scallops In Air Fryer
Easily make panko breaded scallops in air fryer with this recipe:
Step 1
Remove the side muscle from each scallop and throw it away.
Step 2
Place the scallops on a plate and pat them dry with paper towels.
Step 3
Drizzle the scallops with olive oil. Then, in a bowl- combine the breadcrumbs (regular or panko) with the cajun and salt. Place the scallops inside and mix well until they are evenly coated.
Step 4
Line the air fryer with foil. Place the scallops on it (you may need to cook them in batches if there’s not enough room). Spray the scallops with olive oil cooking spray.
Step 5
Air fry them at 390F (200C) for 7-9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
Step 6
Remove the scallops from the air fryer and serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauce. That’s it! Enjoy these delicious air fryer breaded scallops!
🟢 More Air Fryer Recipes
If you liked my air fryer breaded bay scallops recipe, make sure to check out these great air fryer recipes as well:
💡 Important Tips
Here are my top tips for making the best air fried breaded scallops:
1. Choose The Right Scallops
When buying scallops, you have two options: sea scallops and bay scallops. Sea scallops are larger and meatier than bay scallops, and they are perfect for this recipe.
Bay scallops are smaller and more delicate, but still- delicious and you can use them for this air fried breaded scallops recipe.
When shopping for scallops, look for fresh, dry-packed scallops that are free from preservatives or chemicals.
Avoid scallops that are treated with sodium tripolyphosphate (STP), as it can make the scallops soggy and affect the flavor.
2. The Breadcrumbs
The type of breadcrumbs you use in this recipe can make a big difference in the texture and flavor of your air fryer breaded scallops.
Regular breadcrumbs are fine, but panko breadcrumbs will give you a lighter, crispier coating.
Panko breadcrumbs are Japanese breadcrumbs that are coarser and flakier than regular breadcrumbs. They absorb less oil, which makes them perfect for air frying.
When buying breadcrumbs, make sure to check the label and avoid those that contain added sugar or other additives.
3. Don’t Overcrowd The Air Fryer
When air frying scallops, it’s important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket.
If you put too many scallops in the basket at once, they may not cook evenly or come out crispy. Instead, cook them in batches, leaving some space between each scallop.
This will allow the hot air to circulate around the scallops, ensuring that they cook evenly and come out crispy.
4. Add Parmesan Cheese For Extra Flavor
If you want to add extra flavor to your panko breaded scallops in air fryer , you can add grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture.
Parmesan cheese adds a nutty, salty flavor to the scallops and helps to create a crispy coating.
Simply mix in about 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese with the breadcrumbs, Cajun seasoning, and salt. You can adjust the amount of Parmesan cheese to your liking.
5. Use Cooking Spray To Prevent Sticking
Using cooking spray on the scallops before air frying them will help prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket.
Be sure to use an oil spray that is suitable for high-temperature cooking.
✔️ Variations
1. Air Fryer Coconut Crusted Scallops: For a tropical twist on this recipe, substitute the breadcrumbs with sweetened shredded coconut.
Mix the coconut with flour, salt, and cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. Dip the scallops in egg, then coat them in the coconut mixture. Air fry as directed.
2. Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Scallops: For a bright, zesty flavor, skip the Cajun seasoning and use lemon pepper instead.
Coat the scallops in the breadcrumb mixture, then air fry as directed in my breaded scallops in air fryer recipe. Serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
3. Air Fryer Buffalo Style Scallops: For a spicy kick, mix hot sauce with melted butter and coat the scallops in the mixture. Then, coat the scallops in a mixture of breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and salt.
Coat the scallops in the mixture and air fry. Serve with a squeeze of lemon and marinara sauce for dipping.
4. Air Fryer Herb Crusted Scallops: Mix fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary with breadcrumbs and salt. Coat the scallops in the mixture.
5. Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Scallops: Mix grated Parmesan cheese with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and breadcrumbs.
Air fry as directed and serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
↩️ Ingredient Substitutions
Breadcrumbs: If you don’t have breadcrumbs, you can use crushed crackers, cornflakes, or even oatmeal.
Cajun seasoning: You can make your own by combining paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
🔁 How To Reheat
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes. Place your scallops in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Make sure they are not touching each other so they can heat evenly.
Reheat the scallops in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy on the outside. Check on them after a couple of minutes to make sure they don’t overcook.
🌟 Side Dishes Ideas
Pair these air fryer scallops panko with any of these delicious side dishes for the perfect meal:
1. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes with a rich garlic flavor will complement the breaded scallops’ Cajun seasoning.
3. Coleslaw: A refreshing and crunchy coleslaw is a great side dish for breaded scallops in air fryer.
The cool, tangy dressing of coleslaw complements the warm, crispy scallops, and the crunch of the coleslaw adds a pleasant textural contrast to the dish.
4. Quinoa Salad: A quinoa salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and feta cheese is a healthy and flavorful option that pairs well with the breaded scallops.
5. Garlic Butter Green Beans: Fresh green beans with a garlic butter sauce are a classic side dish that goes well with seafood.
👍 Best Dipping Sauces
No breaded scallops in air fryer recipe is complete without some delicious dipping sauces to complement the flavors of the dish. Here are some dipping sauce ideas to try:
1. Tartar Sauce- Tartar sauce is a classic dipping sauce for seafood and a perfect match for air fryer breaded sea scallops.
2. Aioli- Aioli is a garlic-flavored mayonnaise that adds a flavorful punch to any dish. It’s easy to make at home by mixing mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and salt.
3. Cocktail Sauce- Cocktail sauce is a tangy and spicy sauce made with ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice.
The bold flavor and zingy kick make it a perfect match for the crispy texture of the breaded scallops.
4. Sweet Chili Sauce- If you’re looking for a sweet and spicy dipping sauce, try sweet chili sauce. This sauce is made with red chili peppers, garlic, sugar, and vinegar.
Its sweet and tangy flavor will complement the savory taste of the breaded scallops and add some heat to the dish.
5. Lemon Butter Sauce- Lemon butter sauce is a simple yet delicious dipping sauce that pairs well with seafood. This sauce is made by melting butter and adding lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
6. Remoulade Sauce
Remoulade sauce is a tangy, slightly spicy dipping sauce made with mayonnaise, mustard, capers, and herbs.
Its bold and flavorful taste will complement the Cajun seasoning of the breaded scallops and add some extra zing to the dish.
🎉 Gluten Free Version
To make this breaded scallops in air fryer recipe gluten-free, simply use gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of regular breadcrumbs. You can also use crushed pork rinds.
Be sure to check the label to ensure that they are free from any gluten-containing ingredients.
Additionally, check the label of the Cajun seasoning to make sure it is gluten-free or make your own gluten-free Cajun seasoning at home.
👑 Keto / Low Carb Version
To make a low carb and keto version of this breaded scallops air fryer recipe, you can replace the breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds.
👪 FAQ
What type of scallops should I use?
You can use either sea scallops or bay scallops. Sea scallops are larger and meatier, while bay scallops are smaller and more delicate. Both types of scallops will work well in this recipe.
What should I serve with the scallops?
The scallops are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with a variety of sides. Some popular sides include rice, pasta, vegetables, and potatoes.
How can I make the scallops more flavorful?
You can add more flavor to the scallops by marinating them in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs before cooking. You can also add Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture.
I hope you enjoyed my breaded scallops air fryer recipe. They are the perfect appetizer or side dish and so easy to make. All you need is some scallops, bread crumbs, eggs, and seasonings to make a delicious dish.
If you have any questions about this air fryer breaded scallops recipe, feel free to comment below. Don’t forget to check out other air fryer recipes on my blog for more ideas. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Breaded Scallops
- 1 pound Scallops (450g)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Cajun Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- Remove the side muscle from each scallop and throw it away.
- Place the scallops on a plate and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Drizzle the scallops with olive oil. Then, in a bowl- combine the breadcrumbs (regular or panko) with the cajun and salt. Place the scallops inside and mix well until they are evenly coated.
- Line the air fryer with foil. Place the scallops on it (you may need to cook them in batches if there’s not enough room). Spray the scallops with olive oil cooking spray.
- Air fry them at 390F (200C) for 7-9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
- Remove the scallops from the air fryer and serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauce. That’s it! Enjoy these delicious air fryer breaded scallops!
So tasty!