Air-Fried Oysters: A Quick, Crispy, And Delicious Treat

Air-fried oysters are a delicious, healthier alternative to deep-fried oysters. They are crispy, light, and perfectly breaded. You can use canned, fresh, or frozen oysters to make this dish. The process is simple: shuck and rinse the oysters, pat them dry, dredge them in flour, dip them in an egg mixture, coat them in breadcrumbs, and then air fry! You can serve them as an appetizer or a meal, and they go well with a variety of dipping sauces.

How to make fried oysters in an air fryer

Shucking and rinsing the oysters

Shucking oysters can be a little tricky, but with a little practice, you'll get the hang of it. Start by finding a sturdy, flat work surface and gathering the necessary tools: an oyster knife and a towel or thick glove to protect your hand. You can also use a clean kitchen towel to help grip the oyster and protect your hand.

To shuck the oyster, hold it firmly with the cupped side down and the hinge facing you. Insert the oyster knife into the hinge, applying firm pressure and twisting until you feel the hinge pop open. Be very careful not to damage the meat inside or spill the juices. Once the hinge is open, run the knife along the inside of the top shell to detach the oyster meat, being mindful of any shell fragments.

After shucking, it's important to rinse the oysters to remove any debris or sand. Use a colander and cold or cool water to rinse them gently. You can also use saltwater to retain their salty flavour. Give them a gentle stir with your hand to ensure they're thoroughly cleaned.

Once they're rinsed, let the oysters drain in the colander for a few minutes. It's important to ensure they're dry before proceeding with the next steps, as moisture can affect the breading process. You can use paper towels to pat them dry gently.

Now that your oysters are shucked, rinsed, and dry, you're ready to move on to the next steps in the air-frying process. Remember to handle the oysters with care and take your time during the shucking and rinsing process to ensure the best results.

Preparing the dredging bowls

First Bowl – Flour Mixture:

In the first bowl, combine all-purpose flour with your choice of seasonings. You can use cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper for a classic spicy kick. Mix these ingredients well. The flour will help the wet batter adhere to the oysters, creating a base for the subsequent coatings.

Second Bowl – Wet Batter:

In the second bowl, prepare a wet batter by whisking together an egg and a small amount of milk. You can also add hot sauce to this mixture for an extra kick of heat. The egg and milk mixture will help the flour coating stick to the oysters and provide a moist base for the final breading step.

Third Bowl – Breadcrumbs:

The final bowl will contain the breadcrumbs, which give the oysters their signature crispy texture. You can use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy texture. If you're making a keto-friendly version, you can substitute crushed pork rinds for the breadcrumbs to reduce the carb content.

Once you've prepared these three dredging bowls, you'll dip each oyster in the flour mixture, coating it evenly and shaking off any excess. Then, dip it in the egg mixture, ensuring it's well-coated. Finally, roll the oyster in the breadcrumbs until completely coated. Repeat this process for each oyster, creating an assembly line of delicious, crispy oysters ready for the air fryer!

Dredging the oysters

Firstly, prepare your dredging station by setting up three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, combine the flour, cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can also add a little paprika and cayenne pepper for an extra kick. Mix the ingredients together thoroughly. The second bowl will contain the egg wash, which is made by whisking together an egg and a small amount of milk. You can also add a dash of hot sauce to the egg wash for some extra spice. The third bowl should contain the breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are a great choice for a crispy texture, but regular breadcrumbs will also work. You can even make this dish keto-friendly by using crushed pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs!

Now it's time to start dredging the oysters! Using a fork, carefully pick up an oyster and dip it into the first bowl with the flour mixture. Make sure it's evenly coated, shaking off any excess flour. Next, dip the floured oyster into the egg wash, ensuring it's fully coated. Finally, roll the oyster in the breadcrumbs until it's completely coated. Place the dredged oyster onto a baking sheet or pan and repeat this process with the remaining oysters.

Once all the oysters are dredged, let them rest for a few minutes while you preheat your air fryer. This step will help the coating set and ensure a crispy texture. You can also place the oysters in the fridge for 30 minutes before cooking, as this will help the coating stick even better.

When you're ready to cook, give the dredged oysters a light mist of cooking spray and place them into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Now, you're ready to air fry your oysters to crispy perfection!

Cooking the oysters in the air fryer

Now that you've gathered and prepared your ingredients, it's time to cook the oysters in the air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the oysters

If you're using canned oysters, drain and rinse them in a colander. Fresh oysters should be shucked, rinsed, and drained. In both cases, make sure to pat the oysters dry with paper towels. This step is crucial, as it will help the breading stick to the oysters.

Step 2: Set up your dredging station

You'll need three shallow bowls for this step. In the first bowl, combine flour, cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as hot sauce or Old Bay seasoning. In the second bowl, whisk together an egg and milk (or just an egg). In the third bowl, add the breadcrumbs (regular or panko). You can also add additional seasonings to the breadcrumbs for extra flavour.

Step 3: Dredge the oysters

Take each oyster and coat it first in the flour mixture, then dip it in the egg mixture, and finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs until evenly coated. Make sure to coat the oysters one at a time to avoid clumping.

Step 4: Prepare the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F (177°C). Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. You can also spray the oysters themselves lightly with cooking spray for extra crispness.

Step 5: Cook the oysters

Place the coated oysters in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are spaced out evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the oysters in batches. Cook the oysters for 4 minutes, then use tongs to flip them over. Cook for an additional 4 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy!

Your air-fried oysters are now ready to be served! Enjoy them as an appetizer or a meal. You can serve them with a variety of dipping sauces, such as lemon juice, hot pepper sauce, cocktail sauce, or ketchup. They go well with sides like tater tots, roasted vegetables, or grains like rice or quinoa.

Serving the oysters

Once your oysters are cooked, you can serve them with a variety of dips and sauces. Some popular options include lemon juice, hot pepper sauce (like Tabasco), Worcestershire sauce, cocktail sauce, and seafood boil sauce. You could also try flavouring them with horseradish, fry sauce, or bang bang shrimp sauce.

If you want to make a meal out of your oysters, you could serve them with roasted air fryer vegetables and a starch like white rice or quinoa. Some other side dish suggestions include air fryer tater tots, air fryer broccoli parmesan, roasted air fryer carrots, and air fryer whole carrots.

If you're serving your oysters as an appetizer, they go well with a dip and lemon slices.

And don't forget to enjoy your oysters with a crisp lager!

Frequently asked questions