TIPS AND TRICKS
How many scallops do you make per person? It may not look like a lot but I typically serve four to six scallops per person. With a side of pasta or salad this is a light and quick dinner recipe but still very satisfying.
Do you have to use tin foil to make the scallops in the air fryer? There are a lot of different basket types in air fryers. Mine is a wire rack and isn’t particular non stick. Because of this, I opted to line my basket with aluminium foil to prevent sticking. If you have a nonstick basket you can just spray it lightly with cooking spray and should be all set.
Can you reheat scallops? Scallops overcook very easily so I’d recommend reheating them very slowly or eating them cold on a salad. Scallops is one of those foods that I only cook enough for dinner and no extra because of how quickly they overcook.
What do you serve with cajun scallops? I like to serve these on some pasta, on a salad in the summer or with a few sides of roasted vegetables like roasted cauliflower or roasted brussels sprouts.
METHOD
How do you make cajun scallops in the air fryer? First, preheat your air fryer to 400 F. Next, take out your fresh sea scallops and rinse them quickly under cold water to remove any sand that may be in there. Remove the side muscle with your fingers and then pat dry with paper towels. Once the air fryer is preheated, line the basket with a small piece of aluminium foil and spray it lightly with cooking spray. Spray the scallops lightly with cooking spray and season the scallops on both sides slightly with salt and cajun seasoning. Place four to six scallops in the air fryer and cook for 3 minutes. Flip and cook for another three minutes until 130 F internally. The scallops will not develop a brown sear like in a pan. Serve with pasta, salad or roasted vegetables. If you need to make multiple portions, cook the scallops in batches to avoid crowding the basket and prohibiting air flow.
Ingredients
- 4-6 Sea scallops
- Cooking spray
- Kosher salt to taste
- Cajun seasoning
Instructions
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Preheat your air fryer to 400 F.
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Take your fresh sea scallops out of the fridge and quickly rinse them in cold water. Remove the side muscle with your fingers and pat dry with paper towels.
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Once your air fryer is preheated, line the basket with aluminium foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.
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Lightly spray the scallops with cooking oil and season with kosher salt and coat with cajun seasoning all over.
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Place all the scallops in the air fryer and cook for 3 minutes. Flip and cook for 3 more minutes until they are opaque and register at least 130 F internally.
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Serve with pasta, salad or alongside roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Be sure to only buy dry packed fresh sea scallops for this recipe.
- 4-6 scallops is perfect for one person for one meal. Scale up as necessary.
- Scallops are done when they reach an internal temperature of 130 F and are opaque.
- Because these are not cooked in a pan, the scallops will not turn brown but can still be done cooking.
- Serve with pasta, a salad or roasted vegetables.
