Healthy Recipes Blog

  • ♥️ Saved Recipes
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Index
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ♥️ Saved Recipes
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Index
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • ♥️ Saved Recipes
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Index
×
Home » Seafood Recipes » Broiled Scallops

Broiled Scallops

A photo of Vered DeLeeuw.
by Vered DeLeeuwUpdated May 31, 2025
4 Comments
5 from 10 votes

Jump to Recipe Review Recipe

These flavorful broiled scallops are coated in butter and parmesan and placed under the broiler until wonderfully crispy.

Broiled scallops are served with green beans.

Scallops are a great way to enjoy seafood. I love these recipes for grilled scallops, baked scallops, seared scallops, and bacon-wrapped scallops. But when I want a truly quick and easy recipe, I make these broiled scallops. The parmesan coating crisps as they broil, turning them into a delicacy. A quick 25-minute recipe, these scallops are perfect as an appetizer, or you can serve more of them per person as a main course with a side dish.

Ingredients

The ingredients needed to broil scallops.

See the recipe card for exact measurements. Here are my comments on some of the ingredients.

  • Grated Parmesan: Use finely grated cheese and not coarsely shredded.
  • To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
  • Melted butter: I typically use unsalted butter.
  • Extra-large sea scallops: This recipe is not suitable for small bay scallops.

Instructions

The detailed instructions and step-by-step photos are included in the recipe card. Here's a quick overview.

In a shallow bowl, mix the grated parmesan with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Place the melted butter in another shallow bowl. Rinse the scallops and pat them dry. Dip each scallop in the melted butter, then dredge it in the parmesan mixture.

Dredging a scallop in parmesan.

Place the coated scallops on a greased roasting rack. Lightly spray them with avocado oil.

Spraying the scallops with oil.

Broil the scallops 6 inches from the heating element until the cheese is golden brown and the scallops are cooked through. Serve immediately.

Broiled scallops are ready on the pan.

5 stars rating. I followed the recipe to the letter. I am not a chef, even by the wildest imagination. The scallops turned out better than perfect. I am so happy, as were our guests. We served the scallops with white rice/ cilantro/ butter, and green beans. Clean-up was super easy.
Tom Lunday
Read more comments

Recipe Tip

How to Tell When Scallops are Done

Much like shrimp, you can tell by simply looking at them. When cooked through, scallops are no longer translucent. They become opaque, as shown in the photo below. And since we're broiling them, their tops should become browned. Even though their center should be white and opaque, it shouldn't be dry. It should be moist. If it's dry, it means they are overcooked.

A halved scallop with a white, moist center.
This scallop is perfectly cooked; its center is white and moist.

Bay Scallops Won't Work

Bay scallops are tiny and are suitable for casseroles, salads, ceviche, and pasta dishes. They won't work in this recipe. You should use sea scallops, and in fact, I recommend using extra-large sea scallops for the best results. I typically use colossal scallops - 13 per pound. The photo below clearly shows the difference in size between bay and sea scallops.

Sea scallops and bay scallops on a plate in a photo that shows the difference between them.

Storage Tips

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

Serving Suggestions

Broiled scallops make an amazing appetizer, but I often serve them as a main dish. When I do, I divide this recipe into two servings instead of four. I like to serve the scallops with one of the following side dishes:

  • Zucchini noodles
  • Creamed spinach
  • Mashed cauliflower
  • Spaghetti squash noodles
  • Hearts of Palm pasta
  • Sauteed spinach
  • Sauteed green beans, as shown in the photos on this page.

Recipe Card

Broiled scallops are served on a white plate with green beans.
5 from 10 votes
Save this RecipeSaved! Rate this Recipe Print Recipe

Broiled Scallops with Butter and Parmesan

These flavorful broiled scallops are coated in butter and parmesan, then broiled until wonderfully crispy. They're ready in 25 minutes!
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time25 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 540kcal
Author: Vered DeLeeuw
Prevent your screen from going dark

Video

Ingredients

  • Avocado oil spray
  • 1 ⅓ cups parmesan - grated
  • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt - or ¼ teaspoon of any other salt, including Morton kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter - melted
  • 2 pounds sea scallops - Extra-large, 12-16 per pound

Instructions

  • Line a rimmed, broiler-safe baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Fit the baking sheet with a roasting rack (I use a cooling rack) and spray the rack with avocado oil.
    A baking sheet lined with foil and fitted with a wire rack.
  • Place an oven rack 6 inches below the heating element (the second rack from the top of the oven) and heat the broiler on high (500°F).
    Heat the broiler on 500°F.
  • In a shallow bowl, mix the grated parmesan with the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
    Grated parmesan and spices in a bowl.
  • Place the melted butter in another shallow bowl.
    A bowl with melted butter and a bowl of seasoned parmesan.
  • Rinse the scallops and pat them dry with paper towels. If they have a small, crescent-shaped muscle attached to their side, use your fingers to remove it (it gets tough when cooked).
    Scallop side muscle.
  • Dip each scallop in the melted butter, then dredge it in the parmesan mixture, turning to coat.
    Dredging a scallop in parmesan.
  • Place the coated scallops on the prepared roasting rack. Lightly spray them with avocado oil.
    Spraying the scallops with oil.
  • Broil the scallops 6 inches from the heating element (not directly below) until the cheese is golden brown and the scallops are cooked through - white and moist in the middle - 6-10 minutes, depending on their size. Serve immediately.
    The scallops are done.

Notes

  • Omitting the salt reduces the sodium per serving to 986 mg.
  • Exactly how long to broil will depend on the size of the scallops. Today I used colossal scallops - there were 13 per pound - and they needed 10 minutes under the broiler. Start checking after 6 minutes.
  • There's no need to turn the scallops, but I rotate the baking sheet midway through cooking.
  • You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power. I don't recommend freezing the leftovers.

Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 0.25 recipe | Calories: 540 kcal | Carbohydrates: 7 g | Protein: 52 g | Fat: 32 g | Saturated Fat: 18 g | Sodium: 1126 mg

Save this Recipe!

We'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!

We will also add you to our weekly newsletter. Unsubscribe anytime. See healthyrecipesblogs.com/privacy/ to learn how we use your email.

Disclaimers

Most recipes are low-carb and gluten-free, but some are not. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate. Please verify it independently. The carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Please read these Terms of Use before using any of my recipes.

Share this Recipe

1.9K shares

More Seafood Recipes

  • White fish fillets are served in a baking dish.
    Baked White Fish
  • Pan fried salmon is served on a white plate.
    Pan Fried Salmon
  • Grilled scallops are served with lemon slices.
    Grilled Scallops
  • Grilled mahi mahi is served on a white plate with lemon slices.
    Grilled Mahi Mahi

Comments

    Leave a Comment or Ask a Question: Cancel reply

    Please be polite. If you had any issues, I would love to help you troubleshoot before you rate the recipe.

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *.


    Recipe Rating




  1. Tom Lunday says

    February 07, 2024 at 6:39 pm

    5 stars
    I followed the recipe to the letter. I am not a chef, even by the wildest imagination. The scallops turned out better than perfect. I am so happy, as were our guests. We served the scallops with white rice/ cilantro/ butter, and green beans. Clean-up was super easy.
    Wonderful! Thank You
    Tom Lunday - retired power plant guy who discovered he like to dabble in the kitchen.

    Reply
    • Vered DeLeeuw says

      February 07, 2024 at 6:50 pm

      Hey Tom,
      I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for taking the time to write a detailed comment.
      How wonderful that in retirement, you discovered the pleasure of cooking.

  2. Jonathan says

    July 03, 2023 at 6:57 pm

    5 stars
    These were fantastic! Our new favorite way to prepare scallops.
    I added a little freshly squeezed lemon juice to the melted butter.
    The advice on storing leftovers sounds reasonable, but these are so delicious I can't imagine there ever being leftovers, heehee.
    Thank you for the recipe, and I can't wait to try more from this Healthy Recipes blog!

    Reply
    • Vered DeLeeuw says

      July 03, 2023 at 9:46 pm

      I like the idea of adding lemon juice!

A photo of Vered DeLeeuw.

Welcome!

Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.

Start Here

Popular Recipes

  • Korean ground beef is served in a bowl with chopsticks.
    Korean Ground Beef
  • Sautéed shrimp are served on a white plate with a napkin.
    Sautéed Shrimp
  • Baked pork chops are served in a cast-iron skillet.
    Baked Pork Chops
  • Turkey burgers are served with lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
    Turkey Burgers
  • Three cauliflower steaks are served on a white plate.
    Cauliflower Steak
  • Baked cod is served on top of asparagus.
    Baked Cod

Footer

Logos of media outlets that featured Healthy Recipes Blog.
↑ back to top

Explore

  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Newsletter

Terms

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Accessibility

Copyright © 2011-2025 • The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease • All recipes were tested, photographed, and written by a human • Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog [at] gmail.com.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Please comment below. Your email won't be published. If you had any issues, I would appreciate the opportunity to troubleshoot before you rate. Thank you!

This was easy and delicious, thanks!
My family loved this recipe!
Will definitely add this to the rotation!

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required