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Delicious air fryer scallops plated with herbs and lemon

Air Fryer Scallops

Tender and juicy scallops cooked to perfection in an air fryer, finished with a garlic-smoked paprika butter for a quick yet elegant seafood dish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Scallops and Seasoning
  • 1 lb Jumbo Sea Scallops (U-10 or U-12 size) Ensure they are fresh and dry.
  • 1 tbsp Avocado oil Handles high heat well.
  • 1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper
Garlic Butter Topping
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cloves Garlic, finely minced
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika Adjust to taste for smokiness.
  • 1 tbsp Fresh parsley, finely chopped For garnish.
  • 1 Lemon cut into wedges For serving.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Remove the side muscle from each scallop.
  2. Dry the scallops thoroughly with paper towels until they feel tacky.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for at least 5 minutes.
  4. In a bowl, toss the dry scallops with avocado oil, sea salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
  5. Arrange the scallops in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are at least ½ inch apart.
Cooking
  1. Air fry the scallops at 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
  2. While they cook, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, and smoked paprika.
  3. After 3 minutes, quickly brush or spoon half the garlic butter over the scallops.
  4. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the centers are opaque.
Serving
  1. Remove scallops from the air fryer immediately and drizzle with the remaining garlic butter.
  2. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Serve immediately for best texture. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently.