Buttery Baked Scallops - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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These baked scallops are cooked in a lovely butter, lemon, and Parmesan sauce. They're ready in 30 minutes!

This dish is ready in about 30 minutes, is truly easy to make, and is perfect when served over cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower.

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These baked scallops are so good. They are rich, buttery, and flavorful. I like to make them for guests because this foolproof recipe is enjoyed by everyone (a recent guest has declared it "restaurant-level!"). I also make them for my family because it's such an easy recipe.

Scallops are a delightful way to enjoy seafood. I enjoy their flavor in recipes such as grilled scallops, seared scallops, and broiled scallops.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Scallop Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Reviews

Ingredients

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You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Large sea scallops: Bay scallops won't work in this recipe. They are too small and will become overcooked.
  • Unsalted butter: I like European butter, but any butter will be great.
  • Dry white wine: The wine adds a nice layer of flavor, but it's OK to skip it.
  • Fresh lemon juice: It's best to use fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
  • Grated Parmesan cheese: Use finely grated cheese, not coarsely shredded.
  • To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley, cayenne pepper, and paprika.
  • Chopped fresh parsley: I use it primarily for garnish, but it also adds flavor.

Variations

  • Sometimes, I add a tablespoon of hot pepper sauce for an extra kick.
  • A flavorful variation that my husband likes is topping the finished dish with bacon bits.
  • Sprinkle the finished dish with chopped scallions or chives.
  • Replacing the paprika with smoked paprika adds a lovely smoky flavor.

Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making these buttery baked scallops:

Prepare a mixture of butter, wine, lemon juice, Parmesan, and spices. Spoon the mixture on the scallops.

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Cover and bake the scallops in a broiler-safe dish until cooked through, about 25 minutes, in a 350°F oven.

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Remove the baking dish from the oven and sprinkle the scallops with more cheese and paprika. Place the baking dish under the broiler until the tops of the scallops are browned and crispy.

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Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

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Expert Tips

You Can Use Jumbo Scallops

Instead of 2 pounds of large scallops (15 per pound), you can use 3 pounds of jumbo scallops (12 per pound) and cook them in a 9 X 13-inch pan, as I do in the video below. The remaining ingredients can stay the same.

Don't Use Bay Scallops

It's important to use large sea scallops in this recipe, as shown in the photo below. Small ones, especially tiny bay scallops, will become overcooked.

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Remove the Side Muscle

If the scallops have a small, crescent-shaped muscle attached to their side, as shown in the photo below, use your fingers to peel it off and remove it. It gets tough when cooked.

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Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between sea scallops and bay scallops?

Bay scallops are much smaller. They are sweeter and milder in flavor. Sea scallops have a more robust flavor and a relatively chewy texture.

Because of their size, bay scallops are most suitable for salads and pasta dishes, while sea scallops can be grilled, broiled, seared, or baked.

What is the best way to cook sea scallops?

You can sear scallops, broil, grill, or bake them. Baking is the easiest method; when baked in a buttery sauce, the scallops come out succulent and flavorful.

How long should I cook scallops?

It depends on the recipe. When sauteing them, you only need to sear them for about 3 minutes per side.

But in this recipe, we're taking a different approach and baking them covered, so we're cooking them for about 20 minutes.

How do you know when the scallops are done?

When cooked through, scallops become opaque. You can make a small slit in one of them to check.

But the best way to ensure they're done is using an instant-read thermometer inserted through their side. According to America's Test Kitchen, it should read 115°F. According to the USDA, it should read 145°F. I usually opt for something in the middle, so I aim for 130°F.

Serving Suggestions

These baked scallops come out of the oven saucy, and the sauce is exquisite, so you should make the most of it and serve them on something that would absorb the sauce. Here are a few options:

  • Cauliflower rice
  • Mashed cauliflower
  • Zucchini noodles
  • Spaghetti squash noodles
  • Shirataki noodles
  • Hearts of Palm pasta
  • Sauteed spinach
  • Steamed spinach
  • Mashed butternut squash
  • Mashed pumpkin

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for up to 3 days. Reheat them gently, covered, in the microwave at 50% power. I don't recommend freezing the leftovers.

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More Scallop Recipes

  • Grilled Scallops
  • Seared Scallops
  • Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

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Recipe Card

Buttery Baked Scallops - Healthy Recipes Blog (16)

4.98 from 1686 votes

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Buttery Baked Scallops

These baked scallops are cooked in a lovely butter, lemon, and Parmesan sauce. They're ready in 30 minutes!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 296kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds sea scallops large (15 per pound)
  • 6 tablespoons butter unsalted, melted
  • 2 tablespoons dry white wine
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese grated, divided
  • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or ½ teaspoon of any other salt)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Rinse the scallops and pat them dry. Place them in a lightly greased oven-and-broiler-safe casserole dish.

    Buttery Baked Scallops - Healthy Recipes Blog (17)

  • In a small bowl, use a fork to mix the butter, wine, lemon juice, ½ cup of Parmesan, salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley, and cayenne. Set aside for a couple of minutes until the mixture thickens.

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  • Spoon a little of the mixture on top of each scallop, dividing the mixture evenly between the scallops.

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  • Cover the pan with foil and bake until the scallops are cooked through and opaque and their internal temperature is 130°F. This should take about 25 minutes if your scallops are extra-large and less if they’re smaller. Start checking after 20 minutes.

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  • Remove the baking dish from the oven. Switch the oven to broil and set a rack 6 inches beneath the heating element (not directly below).

    Buttery Baked Scallops - Healthy Recipes Blog (21)

  • Uncover the scallops, sprinkle them with the remaining Parmesan and paprika, and broil until their tops are browned and crispy, 2-3 minutes. Check on them constantly to ensure they don't burn.

    Buttery Baked Scallops - Healthy Recipes Blog (22)

  • Sprinkle the scallops with chopped parsley and serve.

    Buttery Baked Scallops - Healthy Recipes Blog (23)

Video

Notes

  • It's important to use large sea scallops in this recipe. Small scallops, and especially tiny bay scallops, will become overcooked.
  • You can make this recipe with 3 pounds of jumbo scallops (12 per pound for a total of 36 scallops) and use a 9 X 13–inch pan, as I do in the video above. The remaining ingredients can stay the same.
  • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for up to 3 days. Reheat them gently, covered, in the microwave at 50% power. I don't recommend freezing the leftovers.
  • According to America's Test Kitchen, scallops should be cooked to an internal temperature of 115°F. According to the USDA, they should be cooked to 145°F. I usually opt for something in the middle, so I aim for 130°F.

Nutrition per Serving

Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 664mg

Made this Recipe?

If you made this recipe, please leave a comment sharing your experience with others. Thank you so much!

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Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

About the Author

Buttery Baked Scallops - Healthy Recipes Blog (24) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Review this Recipe or Ask a Question:

  1. lauren s

    Buttery Baked Scallops - Healthy Recipes Blog (25)
    Hi - I've made this before with fresh parm and it was amazing! Does 'pantry parmesan' work as well?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Lauren,
      Great question! I only tested this recipe with freshly grated parmesan. I assume that by "pantry parmesan," you mean bottled - if you give it a try, please come back and let us know how it was!

      Reply

  2. Gina

    Buttery Baked Scallops - Healthy Recipes Blog (26)
    This is a wonderful recipe! Easy to follow, great ingredients, fantastic results!
    I made this as a main instead of an appetizer, served with a fresh garden salad, some sautéed green beans and fresh bruschetta - an absolutely amazing meal.❤️

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Gina! Your meal sounds amazing.
      Thank you so much for leaving a comment.

      Reply

  3. Kelly

    I accidentally got bay scallops, do you think I can use these and just check after about 10 minutes? I only ask because I’d hate to waste the scallops I purchased.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Kelly, I would bake them *uncovered* for 10-15 minutes, then check to see if they are ready.

      Reply

  4. Donna Henderson

    Buttery Baked Scallops - Healthy Recipes Blog (27)
    This was really delicious! I only added fresh garlic instead of the garlic powder. Definitely a keeper recipe!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Donna!

      Reply

  5. Jean Grey

    Buttery Baked Scallops - Healthy Recipes Blog (28)
    I made this exactly as the recipe states and we loved it. It happily fed a hungry husband, a picky 8-year-old girl, my 21-year-old, and myself… and I wouldn't change a thing. Saved!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad everyone in the family enjoyed these scallops, Jean! Especially the picky one... that's the best compliment. 🙂

      Reply

Buttery Baked Scallops - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

What's the healthiest way to eat scallops? ›

Cook them at high heat, moisten them and don't cook them for too long. Making sure they are healthy is the easiest part. Simply don't add anything that contains large amounts of fat, sugar or salt. A 450 F oven, a sprinkle of lemon juice and pepper and 10 minutes is all you need for scrumptious baked scallops.

Is it better to use butter than oil to cook scallops? ›

Let that butter brown a bit. Then the scallops go in. Scallops are low-fat and high in protein with lots of vitamins, minerals and antioXidant. while I recommend cooking them in butter for the best Sear,you can cook them in vegetable, canola or grapeseed oil if prefeerd.

Why do you soak scallops in milk? ›

Scallops, like many other types of seafood, can have a mild fishy odor that some people find off-putting. Soaking scallops in milk before cooking can help alleviate this odor. Milk can neutralize or mask the fishy smell, resulting in a milder scent.

Are baked scallops healthy? ›

Scallops are an excellent source of lean protein. Research shows that high-protein diets can help with weight loss, as you feel fuller for longer. Protein may also boost your metabolism. Scallop protein also contains taurine and glycine, amino acids that research has found to prevent weight gain and obesity.

Are scallops better fried or baked? ›

Health-conscious it may not be, but most everything tastes better fried—including scallops. The deep fryer is an excellent way to cook scallops, and it takes out some of the trepidation you might feel if cooking scallops feels intimidating.

What happens if you don't rinse scallops before cooking? ›

It is not necessary to wash scallops before cooking. Washing or soaking scallops in water will cause the scallop to absorb water. This will make it harder for the scallop to sear and caramelize and can create excess seepage water in the pan, which negatively affects the dish.

What is the secret to perfect scallops? ›

The secret is that you just pat them dry (buy dry-packed scallops), season with salt and pepper, and put them in a hot pan coated with oil and you leave them alone. Don't touch them. Don't move them.

Is butter or oil healthier in baking? ›

For starters, using oil in your cookie recipe is a healthier alternative to butter. Butter is high in saturated fat, which can increase your risk of heart disease, whereas vegetable oil contains unsaturated fats, which are better for your heart health.

Do you rinse milk off scallops before cooking? ›

Keep the milk-soaked scallops in your fridge for about an hour and drain before using. If you're planning on searing your scallops, make sure to pat them dry of any remaining milk before proceeding.

Why do you not wash scallops? ›

No, you don't need to rinse our scallops before eating them. Our scallops are shucked and go through a saltwater rinse, which removes any sand, grit, or debris. That being said, some people may still prefer to rinse their scallops before cooking or eating them, and that's totally fine.

Why do scallops taste like baking soda? ›

Wet scallops appear very shiny and white. The extra water in these scallops causes them to shrink when cooked, and the sweet natural flavor of the scallop is diminished by a slight aftertaste similar to baking soda.

How many scallops should you eat? ›

Scallops can be expensive and don't reheat well, so budget for the exact amount you need. We generally count 3–4 large scallops per person. Like shrimp, scallops vary in size; many stores will provide a count per pound, which you can use to estimate how many scallops you'll need.

Should I wash scallops before baking? ›

Never thaw scallops at room temperature. Rinse and pat dry. Rinse the scallops, then pat them dry with paper towels before cooking. If scallops have too much moisture on the outside, they won't brown properly.

What are the cons of scallops? ›

Depending on their environment, scallops may accumulate heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, lead, and arsenic. Since your body cannot excrete heavy metals and because heavy metal build-up in your body can be dangerous, it's important to limit your exposure from food, water, and environmental sources.

Are scallops better grilled or fried? ›

While grilling scallops may sound crazy, it's actually the perfect way to cook them! Quick, high heat is ideal for a food that you want to be certain not to overcook, and a light, quick kiss of char and smoke brings these gorgeous shellfish to life.

Are scallops healthy or unhealthy? ›

Scallops are not just low in calories and cholesterol, but also low in most unhealthy saturated fats, so they're great for weight management. Whether you're looking to gain or lose weight, scallops can be an excellent part of your regular diet.

How often should you eat scallops? ›

Fortunately, scallops are considered a “good choice,” or a lower mercury fish, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (29). To reap the benefits of scallops and other seafood, it's recommended to eat 2 to 3 servings of “good choice” fish per week.

Are scallops healthier than shrimp? ›

Although shrimp is relatively high in cholesterol, it can still be a part of a heart-healthy diet. This is because it contains a high amount of 'good' cholesterol. Scallops are low in cholesterol and therefore do not pose a risk of raising your cholesterol levels. They are also low in saturated fats.

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