Quick & Zesty Garlic Butter Baked Scallops Recipe

Tender sea scallops bathed in a decadent garlic butter sauce create an irresistible seafood delight that melts in your mouth.

Succulent and elegant, these scallops promise a restaurant-quality experience right from your kitchen.

The golden-brown edges hint at the rich, buttery flavor waiting to be savored.

Each bite brings a delicate balance of marine sweetness and aromatic garlic.

Fresh herbs scattered on top add a vibrant touch to this simple yet sophisticated dish.

With minimal ingredients and quick preparation, you can transform ordinary weeknight dinners into something extraordinary.

Dive into this luxurious recipe that will surely impress even the most discerning seafood enthusiasts.

Why Garlic Butter Scallops Are Irresistible

• Gourmet-style seafood dish that transforms simple ingredients into an impressive meal.
• Garlic butter sauce and crispy Parmesan breadcrumb topping combine for an irresistible taste experience that delights every bite.
• Minimal preparation steps and short baking time make this recipe perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious results without complex techniques.
• Elegant enough for special occasions yet approachable for family dinners, delivering restaurant-quality scallops right from your kitchen oven.

Key Ingredients for Garlic Butter Scallops

• Scallops: Delicate seafood with a sweet, buttery flavor that serves as the star of this dish.

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for the garlic sauce.
• Garlic, Lemon Juice, Salt, Pepper: Creates a classic, zesty flavor profile that enhances the scallops.

• Breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese, Parsley: Adds a crunchy, herbal, and cheesy texture to the baked scallops.

• Lemon Wedges: Offers a fresh, bright citrus accent to the finished dish.

Tools for Baked Scallop Perfection

• Baking Dish: Essential for arranging and baking scallops evenly.
• Small Mixing Bowls: Perfect for preparing garlic butter sauce and breadcrumb topping.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, pepper, and ingredients.
• Cheese Grater: Optional for freshly grating Parmesan cheese.
• Cutting Board: Useful for chopping parsley and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for mincing garlic and chopping parsley.
• Spoon or Spatula: Great for mixing sauces and spreading topping.

How to Bake Garlic Butter Scallops Easily

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Get your oven ready by heating it to 400F (200C).

This high temperature will help create a perfect golden crust on your scallops.

Step 2: Create Magical Garlic Butter Sauce

• Melted butter
• Minced garlic
• Fresh lemon juice
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir these ingredients until they blend into a fragrant mixture that will make your kitchen smell amazing.

Step 3: Arrange Scallops Beautifully

Place your scallops in a single layer inside a baking dish.

Make sure they’re spread out evenly so each scallop gets perfectly cooked.

Step 4: Drench In Buttery Goodness

Pour the garlic butter sauce over the scallops, ensuring every single piece gets a luxurious coating.

The sauce will infuse incredible flavor into the seafood.

Step 5: Craft A Crunchy Topping

• Breadcrumbs
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Freshly chopped parsley

This mixture will add a delightful crispy texture to your dish.

Step 6: Sprinkle The Topping

Generously scatter the breadcrumb mixture over the scallops, creating an even layer that will turn golden and crisp during baking.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Watch for the scallops to turn opaque and the topping to become a beautiful golden brown color.

Step 8: Serve With Zest

Transfer the baked scallops to a serving plate and garnish with fresh lemon wedges.

The citrusy squeeze will brighten up the rich, buttery flavors.

Tips for Tender Garlic Butter Scallops

• Select large, plump, and uniformly colored scallops without any strong fishy smell for the best taste and texture.
• Use paper towels to remove excess moisture from scallops, ensuring they brown beautifully and don't become watery during baking.
• Watch scallops carefully and remove from oven when they turn opaque and slightly firm to prevent rubbery, tough texture.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika to the breadcrumb topping for extra complexity and subtle heat.
• Swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko or almond meal to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising crunch.

Garlic Butter Scallop Variations to Enjoy

• Herb-Crusted Seafood Alternative: Replace scallops with shrimp or white fish, keeping the same garlic butter sauce and herbed breadcrumb topping for a versatile seafood dish.
• Dairy-Free Version: Swap butter with olive oil, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese, and follow the original recipe technique for a lactose-free option.
• Keto-Friendly Approach: Eliminate breadcrumbs, use almond flour as a low-carb coating, and maintain the rich garlic butter base for a protein-packed meal that fits ketogenic dietary needs.
• Spicy Mediterranean Spin: Add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce, sprinkle smoked paprika on top, and incorporate chopped fresh oregano for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired variation.

Serving Baked Scallops for Dinner Parties

• Seaside Feast Pairing: Serve alongside crisp white wine and crusty French bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce.
• Mediterranean Plate Companion: Create a colorful side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette to complement the rich scallops.
• Elegant Dinner Presentation: Plate the golden-brown scallops on a white ceramic dish, garnish with extra fresh parsley, and add a quick drizzle of additional lemon juice for brightness.
• Coastal Dinner Experience: Pair with roasted asparagus or buttery herb rice to transform this dish into a complete gourmet seafood meal perfect for special occasions.

Storing Baked Scallops for Next-Day Enjoyment

• Store leftover scallops in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them in the coldest part of the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Carefully transfer cooled scallops to a freezer-safe container, seal tightly, and freeze for maximum 1 month, preventing freezer burn by removing excess air.
• Preheat oven to 275F, place scallops in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 5-7 minutes to prevent overcooking and maintain moisture.
• Reheat scallops on 50% power in 30-second intervals, checking temperature to avoid rubbery texture, which can happen quickly with delicate seafood.

FAQs

• What are the best types of scallops to use for this recipe?

Fresh sea scallops are ideal, preferably large and dry-packed, which means they haven’t been treated with preservatives and will brown better when baked.

• How do I know when the scallops are perfectly cooked?

Look for an opaque white color and a slightly firm texture. Overcooking will make them tough and rubbery, so remove them from the oven as soon as they turn opaque.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have everything on hand?

Yes, you can use dried parsley instead of fresh, and if you don’t have Parmesan, a similar hard cheese like Pecorino Romano works well. Replace breadcrumbs with panko for extra crispiness.

Garlic Butter Baked Scallops Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent garlic butter baked scallops reveal Mediterranean coastal cuisine’s elegant simplicity. Delicate seafood meets rich butter and herbs, creating a luxurious dish perfect for special dinners you will savor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 grams) large scallops, patted dry
• 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Dry Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (30 grams) breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup (25 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated

Seasoning and Garnish:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges (for serving)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to a high temperature of 400°F (200°C), creating an ideal environment for perfectly roasted scallops.
2. Craft a luxurious garlic butter sauce by whisking together melted butter, finely minced garlic, zesty lemon juice, and a harmonious blend of salt and pepper.
3. Arrange the delicate scallops in a single, elegant layer within a spacious baking dish, ensuring each piece has ample room to cook evenly.
4. Generously drench the scallops with the aromatic garlic butter sauce, meticulously coating each morsel to enhance their natural sweetness.
5. Construct a crispy topping by combining golden breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and vibrant chopped parsley in a separate mixing bowl.
6. Lavishly scatter the textured breadcrumb mixture across the sauced scallops, creating a tempting golden crust that will crisp during baking.
7. Transfer the prepared dish to the preheated oven and roast for 10-12 minutes, watching for the scallops to transform into opaque pearls and the topping to turn a beautiful golden brown.
8. Plate the succulent baked scallops immediately, accompanied by bright lemon wedges to provide a fresh, citrusy contrast to the rich, buttery seafood.

Notes

• Choose fresh, high-quality scallops with a sweet, ocean-like smell for the best flavor and texture.
• Pat scallops completely dry with paper towels to ensure a golden, crispy topping and prevent watery results.
• Avoid overcooking scallops by watching carefully; they become rubbery and tough when cooked beyond 12 minutes.
• Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond meal or crushed gluten-free crackers for a celiac-friendly version.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 17g
• Cholesterol: 40mg