Scallops always feel like a special occasion food to me. They’re tender, slightly sweet, and when baked with a buttery cracker topping, they turn into something truly memorable. I remember the first time I made baked scallops at home—I worried I’d overcook them and end up with rubbery little disks. But to my surprise, this recipe turned out beautifully, and now it’s one of those dishes I pull out when I want to impress guests or treat my family to a seafood dinner without a lot of fuss.
The best part? It takes just a few minutes to prep, and the oven does the rest of the work. The Ritz cracker topping gets golden and crunchy, the scallops stay tender, and a squeeze of lemon over the top brightens everything up.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is elegant enough for a dinner party but simple enough for a weeknight. The crackers add crunch, the butter gives richness, and the thyme brings a subtle earthy flavor that complements the scallops perfectly. The buttermilk marinade may sound unusual, but it tenderizes the scallops and adds a slight tang that balances the richness of the butter.
It’s one of those dishes that makes you feel like you’ve ordered from a seaside restaurant, only you didn’t have to leave your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
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Sea scallops – Larger sea scallops work best here. Bay scallops are too small and can overcook easily.
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Buttermilk – Tenderizes and adds a light tang. (See below for an easy substitute.)
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Fresh thyme – Earthy and fragrant. Chives or parsley work too.
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Ritz crackers – Crushed for that buttery crunch.
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Butter – Melted to help crisp the topping.
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Lemon – Juice for brightness and zest if you want extra citrus punch.
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Salt and pepper – To season the scallops before baking.
Optional: parmesan cheese in the crumb mix for extra richness, or a sprinkle of garlic powder for a subtle garlicky note.
How to Make Buttermilk If You Don’t Have It
No buttermilk on hand? No problem. Just stir 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar into 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until slightly thickened, then use it as directed in the recipe.
How to Bake Scallops
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Prep the scallops – Remove the little side muscles if they’re still attached and pat dry with paper towels.
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Season and coat – Toss the scallops with buttermilk, thyme, salt, and pepper.
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Arrange in dish – Place them evenly in a 9×13 baking dish.
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Add topping – Sprinkle the crushed Ritz crackers (mixed with melted butter, lemon juice, and optional parmesan) evenly on top.
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Bake – Bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, until the scallops are opaque and the topping is golden.
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Finish and serve – Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and garnish with parsley if you like.
These are best served immediately when the topping is at its crispiest.
Tips From My Kitchen
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Always pat scallops dry before baking so they cook evenly.
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Don’t overbake—scallops turn rubbery if left in the oven too long. They’re done when just opaque and springy to the touch.
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For extra crunch, mix a little parmesan cheese into the cracker topping.
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If you want more citrus flavor, sprinkle lemon zest into the crumb mixture before baking.
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This recipe makes a larger batch (about 8 servings), but you can easily halve it for a smaller dinner.
What to Serve With Baked Scallops
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Light sides – Steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or a simple side salad.
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Comfort food sides – Mashed potatoes, buttered rice, or rice pilaf.
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Classic pairing – French bread or yeast rolls to soak up the butter sauce.
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Drinks – A crisp dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc pairs beautifully.
I like to keep lemon wedges at the table so everyone can add a little extra brightness to their plate.
Storage and Reheating
Scallops are best eaten fresh, but if you have leftovers:
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Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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Remove the cracker topping before storing if you want to avoid sogginess.
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Reheat in the oven at 325°F, covered with foil, until warmed through (about 10–15 minutes). Avoid the microwave, which makes scallops rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen scallops?
Yes, just thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and pat dry before using.
Can I use bay scallops instead of sea scallops?
I don’t recommend it for this recipe. Bay scallops are too small and cook much faster, so they won’t hold up well with the topping.
Do I have to use Ritz crackers?
Ritz crackers give the best buttery crunch, but Club crackers or even panko breadcrumbs work well.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep the topping in advance and store it separately. Assemble and bake just before serving for the crispiest results.
Baked Scallops with Ritz Crackers
Golden, buttery, and absolutely irresistible—these baked scallops topped with crushed Ritz crackers are the ultimate seafood comfort dish.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs sea scallops
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, minced
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 20 Ritz crackers, hand-crushed
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Pat the scallops dry and season them with salt and pepper. Toss with thyme and buttermilk until evenly coated.
- Arrange the scallops in a casserole dish. Sprinkle the crushed Ritz crackers over the top, then drizzle with melted butter.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the scallops are opaque and the topping is golden.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh scallops for the best flavor, but thawed frozen scallops work well too.
- Add a pinch of paprika or garlic powder to the cracker topping for extra flavor.
- Serve with rice, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 225Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 62mgSodium 941mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 0gSugar 2gProtein 25g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thought
Baked Scallops with Ritz Crackers may sound fancy, but they’re one of the easiest seafood dishes you can make at home. The cracker topping is crunchy and buttery, the scallops stay tender, and the lemon brings everything together. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or hosting friends, this recipe is one that always gets compliments—and it’s ready in just 30 minutes.
