Scallops are one of those special ingredients that can transform an ordinary weeknight dinner into something truly restaurant-worthy, and the best part is that they're actually surprisingly easy to cook at home once you know a few simple tricks. Whether you're a scallop cooking beginner or someone who orders them every time you see them on a menu and wants to recreate that magic in your own kitchen, these recipes cover every cooking method and flavor profile you could want, from quick stovetop searing to air frying, baking, smoking, and even incorporating scallops into comforting soups and pasta dishes.
This roundup of 15 scallop recipes includes everything from elegant surf and turf combinations like the All in One Surf & Turf Meal in the Ninja Foodi Indoor Grill and Steak and Scallops with Lime-Dill Hollandaise to quick and easy preparations like Air Fryer Sea Scallops and Lemon Butter Seared Scallops that come together in minutes. You'll find indulgent options like Red Lobster Bacon Wrapped Scallops and Tender Baked Scallops with a Buttery Ritz Cracker Topping, unique dishes like Dried Scallop Congee and Spicy Marisquera Noodles, and hearty seafood combinations including Cioppino, Creamy Seafood Chowder, and Delicious Pasta with Clams and Scallops that showcase how beautifully scallops work with other seafood and bold flavors.
What makes the recipes in this roundup special?
- The recipes were created by a real person-not generated by AI.
- The photos show the actual recipe, made and photographed in real life.
- The blog is run by a human being-not an AI avatar or bot-run site.
- The recipe is original and created by the blogger-not purchased or republished content.
- All recipes in this roundup have earned a star rating of 4 stars or higher from readers or reviewers.
Jump to:
- What makes the recipes in this roundup special?
- Top Tips
- All in one Surf & Turf Meal in the Ninja Foodi Indoor Grill!
- Traeger Smoked Scallops
- Lemon Butter Seared Scallops
- Spicy Marisquera Noodles
- Perfectly Seared Scallops is so EASY in the Ninja Foodi!
- Air Fryer Sea Scallops
- Red Lobster Bacon Wrapped Scallops - Easy Copycat Recipe
- Air Fryer Scallops
- Steak and Scallops with Lime-Dill Hollandaise
- Dried Scallop congee (Cantonese rice porridge)
- Cioppino Recipe (Seafood Stew)
- Tender Baked Scallops with a Buttery Ritz Cracker Topping
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- Creamy Seafood Chowder
- Delicious Pasta With Clams And Scallops - Recipe Tutorial
- Similar recipes...
- Comments
Top Tips
- Always pat scallops completely dry and remove the side muscle - Before cooking, use paper towels to thoroughly dry each scallop on all sides, and check for the small rectangular side muscle (it looks like a small tab on the side) and pull it off if present, as it becomes tough when cooked and the moisture prevents that beautiful golden-brown crust from forming.
- Use high heat and don't move them while searing - For perfectly seared scallops with a caramelized crust, make sure your pan or air fryer is very hot before adding the scallops, then resist the urge to move or flip them until they've had at least 2-3 minutes to develop that golden crust, which also helps prevent them from sticking.
- Don't overcook or they'll turn rubbery - Scallops cook incredibly fast and should be opaque with a slightly translucent center when done, usually taking only 2-3 minutes per side for searing or 8-10 minutes total in the air fryer, so watch them carefully and remove them from heat as soon as they're just cooked through.
- Buy dry-packed scallops instead of wet-packed when possible - Wet-packed scallops are treated with a phosphate solution that adds water weight and makes them harder to sear properly, while dry-packed scallops are untreated and will give you much better browning and flavor, so always ask your fishmonger for dry-packed or check the label if buying packaged scallops.
All in one Surf & Turf Meal in the Ninja Foodi Indoor Grill!
This complete surf and turf meal combines scallops with steak, all cooked together in the Ninja Foodi Indoor Grill. It's a convenient one-appliance approach to making an impressive dinner with both land and sea proteins.
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Photo credit: The Salted Pepper
Traeger Smoked Scallops
This recipe uses a Traeger smoker to infuse scallops with rich, smoky flavor. Smoking adds a unique depth to the naturally sweet scallops that you can't achieve with other cooking methods.
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Photo credit: The Food Hussy
Lemon Butter Seared Scallops
Classic seared scallops are finished with a bright lemon butter sauce in this recipe. The combination of rich butter and fresh lemon perfectly complements the sweet scallop flavor.
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Photo credit: Dutch Oven Daddy
Spicy Marisquera Noodles
These noodles feature scallops in a spicy marisquera (seafood) preparation. The spicy elements bring heat and bold flavor that pairs well with the mild sweetness of the scallops.
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Photo credit: Chili Pepper Madness
Perfectly Seared Scallops is so EASY in the Ninja Foodi!
This recipe demonstrates how to achieve perfectly seared scallops using the Ninja Foodi appliance. It emphasizes the ease and simplicity of the technique when using this multi-cooker.
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Photo credit: The Salted Pepper
Air Fryer Sea Scallops
These sea scallops are cooked in the air fryer for a quick and easy preparation. The air fryer method delivers nicely cooked scallops without the need for stovetop searing.
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Photo credit: The Food Hussy
Red Lobster Bacon Wrapped Scallops - Easy Copycat Recipe
This copycat version recreates the popular Red Lobster appetizer at home with bacon-wrapped scallops. The recipe aims to replicate the restaurant favorite with easy-to-follow steps.
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Photo credit: Copy Kat
Air Fryer Scallops
This straightforward recipe focuses on cooking scallops in the air fryer with simple preparation. It's a basic method that works well for weeknight dinners when you want quick, delicious scallops.
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Photo credit: Air Frying Foodie
Steak and Scallops with Lime-Dill Hollandaise
This surf and turf recipe pairs steak with scallops and finishes them with a lime-dill hollandaise sauce. The bright, herby hollandaise adds an elegant touch to both proteins.
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Photo credit: Cooking with Curls
Dried Scallop congee (Cantonese rice porridge)
This Cantonese rice porridge uses dried scallops to create a deeply flavorful, comforting congee. Dried scallops add an umami-rich depth to the creamy rice base that's characteristic of this traditional dish.
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Photo credit: Greedy Girl Gourmet
Cioppino Recipe (Seafood Stew)
This Italian-American seafood stew includes scallops along with other seafood in a rich tomato-based broth. Cioppino is a hearty, flavorful dish where scallops contribute their sweetness to the overall flavor profile.
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Photo credit: Chew Out Loud
Tender Baked Scallops with a Buttery Ritz Cracker Topping
These scallops are baked until tender and topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust. The cracker topping adds a delicious crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft scallops.
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Photo credit: Copy Kat
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Scallops are wrapped in bacon and cooked in the air fryer in this recipe. The air fryer crisps the bacon while keeping the scallops tender, creating a perfect appetizer or main dish.
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Photo credit: Air Frying Foodie
Creamy Seafood Chowder
This chowder features scallops as part of a creamy seafood mixture. The rich, comforting soup showcases scallops alongside other seafood in a warming, satisfying dish.
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Photo credit: Cooking with Curls
Delicious Pasta With Clams And Scallops - Recipe Tutorial
This pasta recipe combines both clams and scallops for a double seafood experience. The tutorial format guides you through creating a dish where scallops add sweetness to complement the briny clams.
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Photo credit: Living Sweet Moments
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