Although they are delicious all year round, fresh scallops shine during the summer as a delicious and light seafood option for a nutritious meal. For quality seafood, shopping daily caught and locally sourced scallops will yield the most delicious results. Upgrade your menu by incorporating these three different ways to prepare scallops into your dinner menu.
Buttery Pan Seared Scallops
A quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare scallops, this method takes only about 10 minutes and requires minimal preparation. Simply pat down fresh scallops and season them with salt and pepper– or any specific seasoning you prefer.
Prep the pan or skillet by increasing the heat to medium/high, once heated, add a conservative amount of a high smoke point oil, such as olive oil, to the pan.
Place the scallops in the pan, with room left in between them so that they are not touching one another. Sear the scallops for approximately two minutes on one side, adding butter once flipped. Continue to cook the other side for one minute. Be careful not to overcook the scallops, as they will become tough to chew.
Once ready, serve alongside a grain, or try adding them into a salad for a light and fresh summer meal.
Air Fried Scallops
The air fryer has taken the world by storm and in recent years has become a staple in many kitchens. Scallops are fair game in the realm of what you can air fry. On hot summer days skip heating a big oven and opt for this quick method instead.
Begin by preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once heated, spray the fryer with a non-stick cooking spray. Prep the scallops by patting them down and seasoning them to taste. Once preheated, place the scallops in the fryer and heat for three minutes. Flip the scallops to the other side, then continue to cook for another three minutes.
Soften a couple of tablespoons of butter (relative to the number of scallops you are cooking) in a separate dish. Once scallops are finished cooking, toss them with the softened butter and serve.
Crispy Baked Scallops
If you want to add some crunch to the buttery smooth flavor of fresh scallops, simply preheat your oven to about 425 degrees Fahrenheit. In a bowl, mix melted butter, salt, and garlic. In a separate bowl toss together panko breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. Set these bowls aside.
Remove the fresh scallops from their packaging, drying them off with a paper towel. Take each scallop (similar to the process of making fried chicken) and dip each one in the butter mixture, and once coated, coat thoroughly in the panko breadcrumb mixture.
Once coated, place the scallops on a baking tray and be sure to leave space between them. If desired, add the additional butter mixture and extra sprinkles of parmesan cheese to the tray.
Bake anywhere from 10 to 14 minutes, depending on the size and amount of scallops you have. Serve and enjoy!
Fresh scallops are a crowd-pleasing favorite anytime of the year and as one of the most versatile seafood options available, you can completely customize the flavor and method of cooking to your taste.
