Air Fryer Scallops

Keto Air Fryer Scallops

Air fryer scallops are one of my favorite ways to make a dinner that feels fancy without spending hours in the kitchen. They cook in 6 minutes and come out with a golden sear on the outside and a buttery, tender center. Top them with the garlic lemon cream sauce and the whole plate looks like something you’d get at a seafood place. I make these whenever we have company and everyone always asks how I made them.

These are great for keto too. Scallops are naturally low in carbs and the garlic butter cream sauce keeps everything low carb. Most people default to bacon wrapped scallops, but this version lets the scallop flavor shine on its own.

Why the Air Fryer Works Better Than a Skillet

I’ve tried pan searing, broiling, and baking scallops, and the air fryer beats them all for consistency. With a skillet, the timing window is tiny. Thirty seconds too long and you get rubbery scallops. The air fryer circulates heat evenly so they cook through without overcooking the edges. You still get a nice sear on the outside with a slightly crispy edge, and the whole thing takes about 6 minutes.

Do You Have to Line Your Air Fryer with Parchment Paper Or Foil?

If your air fryer has a tray with a non stick coating, just spray it with cooking spray. No parchment or foil needed. If you have a wired basket, line it with parchment paper or foil and poke a few holes for air circulation. You can also grab perforated parchment sheets made specifically for air fryers. I use these for my air fryer wings too.

Tips for Juicy Scallops

Here are my tips for juicy scallops every time:

1. Pat them dry. Use paper towels and press firmly on both sides. Any moisture on the surface leads to steaming instead of searing. I usually go through 3 to 4 paper towels per batch.

2. Salt right before cooking. If you salt too early, it pulls moisture out of the scallop and you end up with a dry, chewy texture. Season them and put them straight in the air fryer.

3. Spray with cooking spray. A light coat of olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray helps the surface crisp up. Don’t use too much or the scallops will taste greasy instead of clean.

How Long to Cook Scallops in the Air Fryer

Fresh sea scallops need about 6 minutes total at 400 degrees. Flip them at the 3 minute mark. If you’re using smaller bay scallops, reduce the time to 4 minutes total (2 minutes per side). Frozen scallops that have been thawed need the same 6 minutes. Don’t add extra time for previously frozen scallops as long as they’re fully thawed and patted dry.

How to Tell When Scallops Are Done

Check the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer. You want 130 degrees for perfectly tender scallops. Don’t wait for them to turn brown on top. They won’t get golden in the air fryer the way they do in a skillet, so go by temperature, not color. If you don’t have a thermometer, press the scallop gently. It should feel like the fleshy part of your palm below your thumb (firm but with some give).

Spoon the garlic lemon cream sauce on top, or crumble some bacon over them if you want extra richness.

Do you have to preheat the air fryer?

Yes. Preheat at 400 degrees for 4 to 5 minutes before adding the scallops. A hot air fryer gives you a better sear right from the start. If you skip preheating, the scallops will steam instead of sear and you lose that crispy edge. A quick spray of olive oil cooking spray on the basket helps prevent sticking.

How to Pick Good Scallops at the Store

Look for scallops labeled “dry” or “chemical free” at the seafood counter. Wet scallops have been soaked in a sodium tripolyphosphate solution that adds water weight and makes them harder to sear. Dry scallops will feel firm when you press on them (similar to a pork chop). Avoid any that look shiny, translucent, or feel soft. Give them a sniff too. Fresh scallops smell like saltwater or seaweed, not fishy.

Garlic Lemon Butter Cream Sauce

This garlic lemon butter cream sauce is what pulls the whole dish together. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat, add minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then whisk in heavy cream, white wine, and fresh lemon juice. The sauce thickens in about 2 minutes. Make it while the scallops rest so everything is ready at the same time.

If you want to change it up, add a pinch of cajun seasoning for some heat, or stir in fresh thyme at the end. Garlic powder works fine if you don’t have fresh cloves. You can also swap the butter for olive oil if you want a lighter sauce, though you’ll lose some of the richness.

Sea Scallops vs Bay Scallops

Sea scallops are roughly three times bigger than bay scallops (about 1.5 inches across vs. half an inch). Sea scallops work better in the air fryer because they’re big enough to get a proper sear without overcooking through the center. Bay scallops tend to be sweeter and more tender, but they cook so fast that they can go from done to overcooked in under a minute.

If you use bay scallops, reduce the air fryer time to 4 minutes total and check them early. Bay scallops peak in fall and usually cost less than sea scallops.

Storing and Freezing Scallops

Fresh or frozen scallops both work in this recipe. Fresh scallops should be cooked within one day of buying them. Two days in the fridge is the maximum, and by that point the texture starts to change.

For frozen scallops, thaw them in a bowl of cold water for 10 to 20 minutes, or overnight in the fridge. Either way, pat them completely dry with paper towels before cooking. Frozen scallops release extra moisture during thawing, so you may need a few extra paper towels compared to fresh.

Leftover cooked scallops keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 2 to 3 minutes. The microwave works but the texture won’t be as good.

More Low Carb Seafood Recipes

If you like seafood on keto, try my air fryer salmon (same method, different fish), almond flour crusted rockfish for something with a crispy coating, or garlic butter shrimp which uses a similar garlic butter sauce.