Description
Garlic Butter Baked Scallops is a delicious and easy-to-make seafood dish featuring tender sea scallops baked to perfection with a flavorful garlic butter, breadcrumb, and Parmesan topping. This recipe delivers a golden, crispy crust with a juicy and savory interior, perfect for an elegant dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Scallops
- 1 lb sea scallops (cleaned and patted dry)
Garlic Butter Mixture
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Panko preferred)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking the scallops evenly.
- Prepare the scallops: Pat the sea scallops completely dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, then place them carefully in a lightly greased baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make the garlic butter topping: In a mixing bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Top the scallops: Spoon the prepared garlic butter breadcrumb mixture evenly over each scallop, ensuring a generous and uniform coating.
- Bake the scallops: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the scallops become opaque and the breadcrumb topping turns a lovely golden brown.
- Optional broil for crispiness: For an extra crispy topping, switch the oven to broil and cook the scallops for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the scallops from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately to enjoy them at their best.
Notes
- Patting the scallops dry is crucial for getting a nice sear and preventing sogginess.
- Panko breadcrumbs are preferred for a crispier topping, but regular breadcrumbs can be used if needed.
- If you don’t have fresh parsley, you can substitute with dried parsley or chives.
- Cook time might vary slightly depending on the size of scallops; avoid overcooking to keep them tender.
- The optional broiling step is recommended if you love a crunchy topping, but it can be skipped if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Garlic Butter Baked Scallops, baked scallops, garlic scallops, seafood recipe, easy scallop recipe, baked seafood
