Air Fryer Scallops
Temperature
400°F
200°C
Time
5 min
6-8 scallops
Safe internal
145°F
63°C · piping hot
Prep
5 min
Cook
5 min
Total
10 min
Scallops cook in about five minutes with a little sear, and the air fryer is far more forgiving than the split-second timing a hot pan demands. Pat them really dry first for the best color.
Ingredients
Quantities for 6-8 scallops - the times on this page assume that much in the basket.
- 6-8 sea scallops, patted very dry
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
- Salt and white pepper
- A squeeze of lemon, to serve
How to air fry scallops
- Pat the scallops very dry - a wet scallop steams and turns rubbery - then brush with the melted butter and season with the salt and white pepper.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Add the fresh scallops to the basket. Keep them in a single layer.
- Cook for about 5 minutes, turning them once halfway through.
- Check it has reached a safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) before serving.
Pro tip
Pat dry; if they are wet, they will steam instead of sear.
How to tell when it's done
They're done at 145°F (63°C), when they turn opaque and just firm with a bit of give. A moment too long and they tighten and go rubbery, so take them out the second the middle's no longer see-through.
Safe internal temperature
Cook to 145°F (63°C) at the thickest point. An instant-read thermometer is the only reliable way to confirm it.
Converting from an oven recipe
If your recipe is written for a conventional oven, lower the temperature by about 25°F (15°C) and reduce the time by roughly 20% to land near 400°F for 5 minutes. Need a different starting point? Use the conversion calculator.
Air fryer scallops: FAQ
How long does it take to air fry scallops?
Air fry scallops at 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes, turning them once halfway through. That's for 6-8 scallops in a single layer; adjust slightly for a fuller basket or a different model.
What temperature do you air fry scallops at?
Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). If you're converting an oven recipe, that's roughly 25°F (15°C) below the oven temperature, with the time cut by about 20%.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer for scallops?
A 2-3 minute preheat gives the most accurate timing and the best browning, but it isn't essential - if you skip it, add a minute or two to the cook time.
What's the safe internal temperature for scallops?
Cook scallops to a safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), measured at the thickest point with an instant-read thermometer. Cooking time is a guide; internal temperature is what confirms it's safely done.