Easy Baked Scallops: Perfectly Tender & Golden-Crusted in 15 Minutes
Imagine tender, succulent scallops, baked to a golden perfection with a delightful crust of seasoned breadcrumbs and rich Parmesan cheese. Brushed with softened butter, these savory morsels are then quickly popped into the oven, transforming into a restaurant-quality dish in just about 15 minutes. This recipe for **baked scallops** proves that gourmet seafood can be incredibly simple and quick to prepare right in your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Scallops Recipe
Baked scallops are an absolute delight for seafood enthusiasts, offering a wonderfully delicate texture and rich flavor. While scallops can be prepared in various ways, such as pan-seared or fried, baking them simplifies the process significantly, making it accessible even for novice cooks. This particular recipe stands out for several compelling reasons:
- Effortlessly Elegant: This dish feels incredibly luxurious, yet it requires minimal effort. With just a few simple ingredients and basic steps, you can create a meal that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end restaurant.
- Quick Cooking Time: From preparation to plate, these scallops are ready in approximately 15 minutes of oven time. This makes them an ideal choice for busy weeknights or when you need a fast yet impressive appetizer.
- Irresistible Texture & Flavor: The combination of garlic salt, black pepper, a light breadcrumb coating, and grated Parmesan creates a golden, slightly crisp crust that perfectly complements the naturally sweet and tender interior of the scallops. A final brush of melted butter adds an extra layer of richness and helps achieve that beautiful golden hue.
- Healthier Option: Baking offers a lighter alternative to frying, allowing the natural flavors of the scallops to shine through without excessive oil. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a lean protein.
- Budget-Friendly Gourmet: Skip the expensive restaurant bill! This recipe lets you enjoy the sophisticated taste of scallops without the premium price tag, proving that a fancy seafood course is well within reach at home.
There’s no need to be intimidated by cooking seafood. This recipe is designed to be foolproof, ensuring perfectly cooked, juicy scallops every time. It’s a wonderful way to impress guests or simply treat yourself to a delicious and satisfying meal.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Baked Scallops
Creating truly delicious baked scallops starts with selecting quality ingredients. Here’s a deeper dive into what you’ll need and why each component is important:
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
- SCALLOPS: For this recipe, you’ll want to purchase sea scallops. When shopping, you might notice them labeled “wet” or “dry.”
- Wet Scallops: These have been soaked in a phosphate solution (like STP) to extend their shelf life. While this makes them last longer, it also causes them to absorb more water, leading to a tougher texture and difficulty in achieving a good sear or golden crust when cooked. They often shrivel more in the oven.
- Dry Scallops: These are untreated and are our preferred choice for this recipe. They have a naturally sweeter flavor, a firmer texture, and will caramelize beautifully, yielding that desirable golden-crusted exterior. Look for a natural, slightly off-white or pinkish hue. If using frozen scallops, ensure they are thawed completely and patted very dry before seasoning.
- SEASONINGS:
- Garlic Salt & Black Pepper: This simple yet powerful combination enhances the natural sweetness of the scallops. Garlic salt provides both savory garlic notes and the essential salt needed to bring out flavor. Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle warmth.
- Substitution: If you don’t have garlic salt, use a combination of plain salt and a pinch of garlic powder. Onion powder can also be a nice addition for a more complex savory profile.
- TOPPING:
- Bread Crumbs: A light sprinkle of bread crumbs (Panko or regular) provides a lovely texture and helps create that crispy, golden crust.
- Substitution: For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. You can also toast them lightly in a pan with a little olive oil before adding for extra crispness.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds a wonderfully salty, nutty, and umami depth that pairs perfectly with seafood. It melts into the breadcrumbs, creating an extra layer of deliciousness.
- Tip: Freshly grated Parmesan often melts better and has a more robust flavor than pre-grated varieties.
- BUTTER:
- Softened Butter: A small dollop of softened butter brushed over the top of each scallop is key. As it melts, it bastes the scallops, helps the breadcrumbs brown, and infuses them with rich, buttery flavor. It should be soft enough to spread easily, almost like a pudding.
- Substitution: While butter is highly recommended for its flavor, you could use a good quality olive oil for a dairy-free alternative, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
- LEMON JUICE (Optional Garnish): A squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving brightens the flavors and adds a refreshing tang that cuts through the richness of the butter and cheese.
Get all exact measurements, ingredients, and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
How to Make Easy Baked Scallops: Step-by-Step Instructions
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400 F (200 C). Lightly spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Arrange the Scallops: Place your sea scallops in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded. This allows for even cooking and browning. If your scallops have a small, tough side muscle, gently pull it off and discard it before arranging. It’s also crucial to pat the scallops very dry with paper towels to encourage a beautiful crust.
- Season Generously: Season the scallops evenly with garlic salt and freshly ground black pepper. Don’t be shy, but ensure it’s a balanced sprinkle over each scallop for optimal flavor.
- Add the Golden Topping: Lightly top each scallop with bread crumbs, then a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Finally, add a small dollop of well-softened butter on top of each scallop. Gently spread or flatten the butter a little to help cover the surface. This creates the golden, savory crust as it bakes.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking sheet with the scallops into your preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 12-15 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size of your scallops and your oven’s calibration. Keep an eye on them for that perfect golden crust.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Baked Scallops
While scallops are truly best enjoyed immediately after cooking, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. However, scallops spoil relatively quickly, so it’s always recommended to consume them as fresh as possible. Reheating can sometimes affect their delicate texture, making them a bit tougher, so gentle reheating methods are best (e.g., in a warm oven or gently in a pan).
Determining doneness is crucial for perfectly tender scallops. I recommend checking the scallops around the 12-minute mark, as oven temperatures can vary. Baked scallops are done when they are opaque throughout and have a beautiful lightly browned, golden crust on the outside. When gently pressed, they should feel tender-firm, with a slight spring back. If they feel squishy, they are likely undercooked. If they are very firm with little to no give, they are probably overcooked and will be rubbery. For precise cooking, use an instant-read thermometer. Remove them from the oven when they reach an internal temperature of about 115°F (46°C). Scallops will continue to cook slightly from residual heat (carryover cooking) once removed, typically rising about 10 degrees, reaching their ideal doneness at around 125°F (52°C).
Absolutely! This is one of the most important tips for cooking scallops, whether baking or searing. Patting them thoroughly dry with paper towels removes excess moisture, which is essential for achieving a beautiful golden crust and preventing them from steaming instead of browning. Moisture is the enemy of a good crust!
Yes, feel free to customize the flavors! A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives after baking adds freshness and color. For a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be mixed with the breadcrumbs. Lemon zest, mixed into the butter or breadcrumbs, will also amplify the bright flavors of the seafood.
If your butter isn’t softened, you can quickly soften it in the microwave for a few seconds (about 10-15 seconds for 2 Tablespoons, depending on your microwave) until it has that soft, “puddling-like” texture described. Be careful not to fully melt it, as it will be harder to spread evenly.
Serving Suggestions for Baked Scallops
Baked scallops are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of side dishes, making them perfect for both casual meals and elegant dinner parties. Here are some delicious ideas:
- Vegetables: Lightly steamed or roasted green beans, asparagus, or tender carrots are excellent choices that complement the delicate flavor of the scallops. A simple squeeze of lemon over the vegetables will tie the meal together.
- Starches:
- Rice: A fluffy bed of white rice, wild rice, or even a flavorful lemon herb rice can soak up the delicious buttery juices from the scallops.
- Pasta: Serve over a light pasta dish, perhaps with a touch of olive oil, garlic, and cherry tomatoes, or a creamy scallop pasta.
- Potatoes: Classic options like mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or elegant au gratin potatoes provide a comforting contrast.
- Salad & Bread: A fresh, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette can offer a refreshing counterpoint. Don’t forget some crusty bread to sop up any leftover sauce!
- Wine Pairings: For a complete culinary experience, pair your baked scallops with a crisp, dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or a unoaked Chardonnay. Their acidity will beautifully cut through the richness of the butter and cheese.
More Delicious Scallop Recipes to Try
If you love scallops as much as we do, you’ll want to explore these other fantastic recipes:
- Crispy Fried Scallops
- Creamy Scallop Pasta
- Air Fryer Scallops (Crispy & Quick!)
- Perfect Pan-Seared Scallops
- Irresistible Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- Flavorful Grilled Scallops
I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes!
Baked Scallops
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds large scallops sea scallops
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 Tablespoons bread crumbs
- 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons butter well softened. should have a soft puddling-like texture
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice optional as garnish
Things You’ll Need
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Baking sheet
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Vinyl gloves
Before You Begin
- You may have leftover ingredients. We are giving you measurements so you have enough. It’s not necessary to use them all if you are happy with the coverage and seasoning.
- You will want to purchase sea scallops for this recipe. You may notice them labeled “wet” and “dry” at the grocery store. Wet scallops are soaked in a preservative to extend shelf life, but this causes the scallops to retain more moisture when cooked. We prefer to use dry sea scallops for this recipe.
- I would recommend checking the scallops for doneness at the 12-minute mark, as individual ovens will vary in heat. Baked scallops are done cooking when they are opaque in color, with the outside being lightly browned. When you press down on the scallop it should feel tender-firm and not overly squishy. If the scallops are squishy, they’re undercooked and if they are firm with not a lot of give, they are overcooked. Aim for around 115F on an instant-read thermometer when you remove them from the oven if you want to be more precise. As they sit outside of the oven, they should rise in temperature a few degrees (normally around 10 degrees) at which they should be perfectly cooked.
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
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Place scallops on baking sheet.
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Season scallops with garlic salt and black pepper.
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Top lightly with bread crumbs, parmesan, and a small dollop of softened butter. Gently spread/flatten the butter a little to cover the top of the scallop.
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Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.