Description
Succulent garlic butter baked scallops emerge as a luxurious seafood delight that promises elegance on any dinner plate. Golden-brown edges and rich buttery flavors invite passionate cooks to savor Mediterranean-inspired simplicity you’ll want to recreate again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood:
- 1 pound (454 grams) sea scallops (patted dry)
Dry Ingredients:
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika (for color)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Wet Ingredients and Herbs:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking foundation by heating the oven to a precise 400F (200C) and creating a non-stick surface in a ceramic or glass baking vessel using a light butter coating or cooking spray.
- Craft a luxurious garlic butter infusion by whisking together melted butter, finely chopped garlic, fresh lemon juice, aromatic Italian herbs, and a sprinkle of vibrant paprika in a mixing bowl, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Carefully arrange plump, pristine scallops in a single, uniform layer within the prepared baking dish, ensuring each mollusk has ample space. Delicately season with a conservative pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Lavishly drench the scallops with the prepared garlic butter mixture, ensuring each morsel is generously coated and glistening with the fragrant sauce.
- Develop a crisp, golden crown by blending panko breadcrumbs with finely grated Parmesan cheese, then generously dusting this mixture across the scallops to create a textural contrast.
- Transfer the dish to the preheated oven, allowing the scallops to transform into tender, translucent gems over 12-15 minutes. For an extra touch of golden perfection, activate the broiler for a brief 1-2 minute finale.
- Complete the culinary presentation by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the dish and accompanying with bright, zesty lemon wedges to enhance the seafood’s delicate flavor profile.
Notes
- Choose fresh, high-quality sea scallops with a pearly white color and firm texture for the best flavor and texture.
- Pat scallops completely dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure they brown nicely and don’t release excess moisture during baking.
- Avoid overcooking scallops, as they can quickly become rubbery and tough; watch carefully during the last few minutes of baking.
- Swap panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for a celiac-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 360 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg