Air-Frying Oysters: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryer oysters are a delicious and healthier alternative to deep-fried oysters, offering crispy, breaded bites without the oil or added fat. They can be made in a Ninja Foodi or Cosori air fryer, using fresh, canned, or jarred oysters. The oysters are shucked, coated in a variety of seasonings and breadcrumbs, and cooked in the air fryer for a few minutes until golden brown. They can be served as an appetizer or a meal, often accompanied by sauces like lemon juice, hot sauce, or cheese and garlic butter.

Air Fryer Oysters

How to cook frozen oysters in an air fryer

You can cook frozen oysters in an air fryer in a few simple steps. First, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, shuck and rinse the oysters, letting them drain in a colander. It is important to pat the oysters dry with paper towels to ensure the outsides are dry before cooking, as this will help achieve a crispy texture. Next, in a shallow bowl, combine flour, cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk an egg and milk together. In a third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs. Dredge the oysters through the flour mixture, dip them in the egg mixture, and then roll them to coat in the breadcrumbs. Place the oysters in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray them lightly with cooking spray. Finally, cook the oysters in the air fryer for a total of 11 minutes—cook for 8 minutes, flip them over, spray lightly with cooking oil, and then cook for an additional 3 minutes.

You can serve these crispy, light, and perfectly breaded oysters as an appetizer or a meal. They pair well with a variety of sauces for dipping, such as lemon juice or hot sauce. If you want to add some grains to your meal, rice or quinoa are good options.

If you are preparing fresh oysters, follow the same steps, but cook for a total of 8 minutes, flipping and spraying with oil halfway through, and then cooking for an additional 4 minutes.

How to reheat cooked oysters in an air fryer

To reheat cooked oysters in an air fryer, you will need to first set the oysters in a single layer in the basket. Then, spray them lightly with cooking spray. Next, set your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the oysters inside for 3 minutes. After that, shake the basket and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Your oysters should now be warmed through and ready to serve!

This method is ideal for reheating fried oysters, which are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, with a unique, moderately briny, salty, and somewhat sweet flavour.

If you are cooking the oysters, rather than just reheating them, you will need to allow for a longer cooking time. For example, some recipes suggest cooking the oysters for 4 minutes, flipping them, spraying them with cooking oil, and then cooking for another 4 minutes. You can also cook oysters on the half shell in an air fryer, which only takes 4 minutes.

Before cooking, it is important to rinse the oysters and pat them dry. You can also coat the oysters in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs before cooking, which will give them a crispy texture.

How to coat oysters before air frying

To coat oysters before air frying, you will need to prepare a few bowls with different mixtures. Firstly, clean and shuck the oysters, rinsing them thoroughly and patting them dry. Next, prepare a bowl with flour, cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, whisk an egg with some milk. In a third bowl, prepare the breadcrumbs.

Now, you are ready to start coating the oysters. Firstly, dredge the oysters through the flour mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated and shaking off any excess. Next, dip the oysters into the egg mixture. Finally, roll the oysters in the breadcrumbs until they are completely coated. You can gently press the coating onto the oysters to help it adhere better.

If you prefer a lighter coating, you can skip the breadcrumbs and simply use flour. Alternatively, for a crispier texture, you can replace the breadcrumbs with cornmeal or crushed pork rinds for a keto-friendly option.

How long to cook oysters for in an air fryer

The cooking time for oysters in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe and the number of oysters being cooked. For example, a recipe for air fryer oysters on the half shell suggests cooking 8 oyster halves in an air fryer preheated to 400°F (200°C) for 4 minutes. Another similar recipe recommends cooking oysters in an air fryer preheated to 350°F (180°C) for 4 minutes, flipping them, and then cooking for another 4 minutes.

Some recipes suggest cooking oysters in an air fryer for a total of 8 minutes. One recipe recommends cooking frozen oysters in an air fryer preheated to 350°F for 8 minutes, flipping them, and then cooking for an additional 3 minutes. Another recipe suggests cooking oysters in an air fryer preheated to 350°F for 4 minutes, shaking the basket, and then cooking for an additional 4 minutes.

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the oysters and the desired level of doneness. Some recipes recommend adding an extra minute or two to the cooking time based on the size of the oysters. Additionally, when cooking oysters with other ingredients, such as cheese, the cooking time may be adjusted to ensure the cheese is golden brown.

What to serve with air-fried oysters

There are several options for what to serve with air-fried oysters. For a classic pairing, you can dip the oysters in lemon juice. If you're looking for something heartier, grains like rice or quinoa also pair well with air-fried oysters.

To add some spice to your oysters, you can top them with a dash of Worcestershire and hot sauce. You can also pair your oysters with a crisp lager, or cocktail sauce, and lemon wedges.

If you're looking for a full meal, air-fried oysters make a great appetizer or light meal when served with grains and a side of shellfish. You can also store cooked oysters in the freezer for up to 12 months, so they can be a quick and easy addition to any meal.

Frequently asked questions