Frying Oysters In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Oysters are a seafood delicacy, often enjoyed raw but also cooked in a variety of ways, including baked and grilled, barbecued, and fried. With the recent popularity of air fryers, it's no surprise that people are experimenting with cooking oysters in this way. So, can oysters be fried in an air fryer? The short answer is yes.

How to prepare oysters for frying

Frying oysters in an air fryer is a great way to get crispy, golden, fried oysters without the excess oil of deep frying. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare oysters for frying in an air fryer:

Step 1: Shucking and Rinsing

Start by shucking the oysters, which means prying open their shells and removing the meat inside. Once shucked, rinse the oysters in a colander under cool water to remove any debris or bits of shell. This step is important to avoid accidentally biting into a piece of shell. You can also rinse the oysters in saltwater if you want to retain their salty flavour. After rinsing, let the oysters drain in the colander and then pat them dry with paper towels. Removing the moisture will help the breading stick better.

Step 2: Breading Station

Set up three shallow bowls for dredging and breading the oysters. In the first bowl, combine all-purpose flour with your desired seasonings. Common seasoning choices include Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper, but you can also add hot sauce or Old Bay seasoning for extra flavour. In the second bowl, whisk together an egg with either milk or hot sauce. The third bowl should contain your breadcrumbs, such as Panko breadcrumbs.

Step 3: Dredging and Coating

Take each oyster and dredge it in the flour mixture, making sure to coat all sides. Then, dip the oyster in the egg mixture, and finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs until it's completely coated. Place each coated oyster on a plate or tray in a single layer. You can also freeze the coated oysters at this stage if you want to save them for later. Simply place them in a freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer for up to 12 months.

Step 4: Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the oysters in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Spray the oysters lightly with cooking spray or non-stick spray. Air fry the oysters for 4 minutes, then flip them over, spray with cooking spray again, and cook for an additional 4 minutes. For frozen oysters, cook for 8 minutes, flip, spray with cooking oil, and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

Your oysters are now ready to be served and enjoyed! You can serve them with a variety of dipping sauces, such as lemon juice, hot pepper sauce, fry sauce, or cocktail sauce. Enjoy your crispy, golden, air-fried oysters!

The best coatings and seasonings for fried oysters

Frying oysters in an air fryer is a great way to get crispy, golden, and perfectly fried oysters without the excess oil of deep frying.

Coatings

The classic coating for fried oysters is a mixture of seasoned cornmeal and flour. However, you can also use breadcrumbs (regular or panko) for a lighter, crispier texture. For an even crunchier bite, use crushed crackers like Clubs or saltines.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could try a tempura-style batter with flour, baking soda, an egg, cold water, and cold soda water.

Seasonings

When it comes to seasonings, the options are endless! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Classic options: garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika.
• Creole, Cajun, Old Bay, or Italian seasonings.
• For a spicier kick: cayenne pepper, chili powder, celery salt, or lemon pepper.
• For a simple tempura-battered version: just a pinch of salt and pepper.

Tips for the Perfect Fried Oysters

• Rinse the oysters before frying to avoid any shell fragments, but retain their salty flavor by rinsing in saltwater.
• Ensure oysters are dry before coating to help the breading stick.
• For a crispy texture, avoid using a wet batter in the air fryer as it can drip into the appliance.
• If making a large batch, cook the oysters in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
• Serve with a variety of dipping sauces like tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or chipotle aioli, or even ketchup, barbecue sauce, or hot sauce.

Now you're ready to create your own delicious fried oyster masterpiece!

How to cook frozen oysters in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Frozen oysters
• Cajun seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper
• Flour
• Eggs
• Hot sauce (optional)
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Cooking spray or oil

Method:

• Shuck and bread the oysters as directed and place them in a freezer-safe bag. You can store oysters this way in the freezer for about 12 months.
• When you're ready to cook the frozen oysters, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the desired number of oysters from the freezer and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Spray the oysters lightly with cooking spray or oil.
• Air fry the frozen oysters for 8 minutes, then flip them over.
• Spray the oysters lightly with cooking spray or oil again and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
• Serve immediately.

Tips:

• It is important to ensure that the oysters are dry before freezing them, as this will help the breading stick.
• You can also cook fresh oysters in the air fryer using the same method, but increase the cooking time to about 10 minutes.
• If you want to add some extra flavour to your oysters, you can serve them with a squeeze of lemon or lime, or dip them in hot sauce, seafood boil sauce, cocktail sauce, ketchup, or Ranch.

How to reheat fried oysters in an air fryer

Yes, you can fry oysters in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reheat fried oysters in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. This is the ideal temperature for reheating fried oysters, ensuring they heat up evenly and quickly.

Step 2: Prepare the Oysters

Use a paper towel to gently pat the oysters dry before placing them in the air fryer. This step helps remove any excess oil and prevents the oysters from becoming soggy during reheating.

Step 3: Place the Oysters in the Air Fryer Basket

Arrange the oysters in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Ensure they do not overlap to allow for even cooking. If your air fryer has a wire rack, place it at the bottom of the basket before adding the oysters to improve air circulation and prevent sticking.

Step 4: Set the Timer

Set the timer on your air fryer for 3-5 minutes. The exact time will depend on the quantity of oysters and the thickness of their coating. Keep in mind that overcrowding the basket can lead to soggy oysters.

Step 5: Shake the Basket

Halfway through the reheating process, gently shake the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and prevent the oysters from sticking.

Step 6: Check for Crispiness

After the timer goes off, check if the oysters have reached your desired level of crispiness. If not, reheat them for an additional minute or two, being careful not to overcook them.

Step 7: Serve

Once the oysters are crispy and heated through, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can garnish them with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for added flavor.

Tips for Perfect Results:

• Adjust seasoning as needed. If the oysters have lost some of their seasoning during reheating, sprinkle a bit of salt, pepper, or your favorite seasonings before serving.
• Serve immediately. Reheated fried oysters are best enjoyed right away, as their crispiness will diminish over time.
• Avoid soggy oysters. Soggy oysters may result from overcrowding the air fryer basket or not patting them dry sufficiently before reheating.
• Prevent dryness or toughness. Overcooking can lead to dry or tough oysters. Be careful not to exceed the recommended reheating time.
• Ensure even cooking. Arrange the oysters in a single layer and shake the basket halfway through to prevent uneven cooking.

What to serve with fried oysters

Sauces and Condiments

Fried oysters can be served with a variety of sauces and condiments. Some examples include:

• Remoulade: A spicy mayonnaise-based sauce.
• Citrus vinaigrettes.
• Hot sauce, such as Tabasco.
• Ponzu dipping sauce.
• Lemon or lime wedges.
• Tomato or corn-based salsas.
• Hot butter with citrus or vinegar sauces.
• Fresh herb purees like basil pesto.

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol such as Pernod, vermouth, lager, or white wine may be used in some oyster sauces. Crisp, acidic white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Vinho Verde, Chablis, and Champagne are ideal pairings for fried oysters.

Soups

A creamy soup or chilled gazpacho complements fried oysters well. Try:

• Cream of artichoke, celery, or chanterelle soup.
• Tomato or red pepper gazpacho for a refreshing contrast to fried oysters.

Salads

A simple salad can help balance the greasiness of fried oysters. Arugula and orange salad, with its lemony dressing and fresh orange slices, is a great option. You can also try a fresh Greek salad with crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, briny olives, and feta cheese.

Breads

Fried oysters are commonly served with bread, such as French bread, sourdough, or cornbread. They can be used to make sandwiches like the iconic New Orleans oyster po' boy sandwich. Fried oysters can also be served on crackers, especially pepper crackers.

Side Dishes

Some side dish options that go well with fried oysters include:

• Green beans with caramelized onions.
• Baked potato fries.
• Garlic buttered corn.
• Asparagus with hollandaise sauce.
• Beef lettuce wraps with a zesty lime sauce.
• Roasted vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
• Cheesy grits, such as jalapeno cheddar grits.
• Roasted asparagus with hollandaise.
• Corn fritters with a Cajun remoulade.

Frequently asked questions