If you’ve never tasted oyster fritters before, let me tell you that they are golden, crunchy, and are exceptional appetizers. These delicacies are perfect for any seafood lover and are worth every effort it takes to prepare them. Continue reading to learn how to prepare oyster fritters properly.
- Clean the Oysters
- MIX the Batter
- Cook the Fritters
- Oyster Fritter Batter Recipe:
- What To Serve With Oyster Fritters
- Can You Freeze Oyster Fritters?
Clean the Oysters
Always wash oysters in a colander and run cold water over them. Pat them dry, then place an oyster in a thick dishtowel with the flat side up and the hinge point facing out to start shucking them.
Keep the oyster juice but discard the shells in the garbage once you’ve shucked them all. If you notice any oysters that have popped open before you shuck them, throw them away to avoid potential foodborne illness.
MIX the Batter
Next, prepare the batter by adding some milk to the reserved oyster juice and whisk it together. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, fresh thyme leaves, and salt, then pour in your milk mixture plus an egg into these dry ingredients.
Stir the batter until smooth and thick, then add your oysters. Depending on how big they are, you can leave them whole or chop them in half before dipping them in the batter.
Cook the Fritters
Heat some oil (such as vegetable or peanut oil) in a large pan. Once it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celcius), it is ready to use.
Take spoonfuls of your battered oysters and let them cook in the oil, flipping them once the bottoms turn golden brown. Work in batches and set your finished oyster fritters on a plate lined with some paper towels.
You can serve these with a garlic vinegar sauce on the side or drizzle them with fresh lemon juice.
Oyster Fritter Batter Recipe:
Oyster juice (about ¼ cup)
¼ cup of milk
1 cup of flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
2 sprigs of fresh thyme leaves
½ teaspoon of salt
1 egg
This batter gives you enough to coat about a dozen medium-sized oysters.
Garlic vinegar dipping sauce:
¼ cup of rice wine vinegar
2 cloves of minced garlic
2 tablespoons of finely grated ginger
½ cup of low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of sesame oil
Pour the ingredients into a mason jar, then put on a lid and shake to combine. Alternatively, you can use a whisk to stir the sauce.
Check also My Main Recipe Page and must-try recipes like
Simple Baked Oysters With Tarragon
Poached Oysters With Endives And Lemon
What To Serve With Oyster Fritters
As a main dish, oyster fritters go well with onion rings, French fries, gazpacho, shallot bisque, or salads. These are excellent appetizers too. Consider serving them with French bread slices or saltine crackers to complement their flavor.
Can You Freeze Oyster Fritters?
Yes, you can cook and freeze these oyster fritters for later. Allow them to cool to room temperature first, then store them in a tightly sealed freezer-safe container. Add a layer of wax paper in between them.
This method keeps them separate from each other and prevents them from sticking to each other.
To reheat oyster fritters, you will cook them straight from their frozen state. Do not let them thaw beforehand. Place them on a metal baking tray after adding a couple of tablespoons of oil.
Bake them in a 400 degree Fahrenheit (205 degrees Celcius) oven. Allow them to cook for about 5 minutes, then flip the oysters over, letting them cook for another 5 minutes until they are crispy and golden brown.
You can add aluminum foil on top of the tray for the first 5 minutes to let the heat distribute evenly, but it is best to remove the foil for the last 5 minutes