Air-Fried Clams: A Quick, Crispy, And Tasty Treat!

Cooking stuffed clams in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious appetizer or light dinner. This cooking method is mess-free and convenient, as you can cook the clams straight from frozen without defrosting them first. The air fryer's ability to perfectly cook stuffed clams in their shells makes it a popular choice for preparing this dish. With a simple garden salad or mashed potatoes on the side, air fryer stuffed clams can be a tasty meal any time of the year.

Cooking times and temperatures for air-fried stuffed clams

The cooking time and temperature for air-fried stuffed clams depend on whether you are cooking homemade or store-bought stuffed clams, and whether they are frozen or thawed.

For homemade stuffed clams, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. Then, place the stuffed clams in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until cooked through.

If you are cooking store-bought frozen stuffed clams, place them in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 to 13 minutes at 370 degrees Fahrenheit. If your clams are frozen, add about 4 minutes to the cooking time.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and wattage of your air fryer, so you may need to adjust the cooking time by 1 to 2 minutes. Additionally, to ensure that your stuffed clams are cooked to perfection, use a digital thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the clams reaches at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to prepare the stuffing

To prepare the stuffing for your air fryer stuffed clams, start by opening and draining cans of clams, making sure to save the juice to use later. In a large pot, melt some butter over medium heat. Once melted, add garlic and cook until fragrant—this should take around 30-60 seconds.

Remove the pan from the heat and add the clam meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, chives, Worcestershire sauce, and red pepper flakes. If you like, you can also add lemon wedges for an extra zesty kick. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

If the mixture appears dry, gradually add teaspoons of the reserved clam juice until the mixture holds together and is slightly wet. It's important to keep the mixture moist as it will dry out a little during the air-frying process.

Now, it's time to stuff those clams! Using a spoon, fill each half shell with the prepared stuffing mixture. Be generous, and make sure each shell is nicely filled. You're almost ready to start air-frying, but first, arrange the stuffed clam shells in a single layer inside the basket of your air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the clams in multiple batches.

How to assemble the clams

To assemble the clams, start by opening and draining the cans of clams, making sure to save the juice to use later. In a large pot, melt some butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant—this should take around 30-60 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat and add the clam meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, chives, Worcestershire sauce, and red pepper flakes. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper! If the mixture seems dry, add a teaspoon of clam juice at a time until it holds together and is slightly wet. Remember, it will dry out a bit in the air fryer, so you want the mixture to be moist.

Now it's time to stuff those clam shells! Using a spoon, fill each half shell with the delicious stuffing mixture you just prepared. Arrange the stuffed clam shells carefully in a single layer inside the basket of your air fryer—you might need to cook in multiple batches, depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of clams you're preparing. Leave some space between the clams to ensure even cooking. If you're using frozen stuffed clams, there's no need to defrost them first—just pop them straight into the air fryer basket!

What to serve with stuffed clams

There are several options for what to serve with air fryer stuffed clams. If you're looking for a light option, a simple garden salad is a great choice. You can also pair the clams with mashed or buttered potatoes, or baby potatoes cooked with garlic butter and dill. For a heartier option, pasta dishes like tagliatelle or linguine in garlic and oil pair well with the clams. If you're looking for something a little different, try serving the clams with a bowl of tomato soup or creamed spinach. And if you're serving the clams as an appetizer, deviled eggs make a great pairing.

Where to buy stuffed clams

You can buy fresh clams from your local fish market or seafood market. In the US, for example, you can find fresh clams at City Fish Market in Wethersfield, Connecticut. You can also buy fresh clams from online retailers such as Instacart, which offer delivery or pickup within 2 hours.

Alternatively, you can opt for frozen stuffed clams, which are available at various supermarkets, including Publix Super Markets. You can also buy them online from specialty seafood retailers such as allfreshseafood.com, which offers a "Club Pack" of nine jumbo-sized gourmet stuffed clams. These online retailers often have specific shipping rates and options, so be sure to check their websites for details.

For those who prefer in-person shopping, there are several supermarket chains across the US where you can find stuffed clams. These include Albertson's, Associated Fresh Market, Ball's Super Foods, and many others.

Remember to check the quality of the clams before purchasing, especially if you are buying fresh clams. Look for shells that are entirely closed or just slightly open, and avoid any with a foul smell as this indicates a dead mollusk.

Frequently asked questions