Fried soft shell crab sandwiches are a true taste of the Eastern Shore, and this recipe brings all those classic flavors to life. There’s nothing like biting into the crispy, golden crab tucked into a soft roll with just the right toppings. It’s a simple, satisfying sandwich that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or anytime you’re craving a little coastal comfort. This one’s a must-try for any seafood lover!

Fried Soft Shell Crab Sandwich

This fried soft shell crab sandwich is crispy, flavorful, and captures the essence of local seafood. You’ll love its simple preparation and the way the tender crab shines in every bite. Pair it with coleslaw, potato chips, or a fresh garden salad for a delicious and satisfying meal.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 5

Total Time 15

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 1 serving

Ingredients

1 soft shell crab, large
1 cup breading (Flour, House-Autry fish fry, panko, etc) – Flour is most popular choice

1 egg
salt and pepper
1 slice fresh tomato

1 leaf lettuce
top with sauce of choice; cocktail, horseradish, ketchup – Optional
1 roll, kaiser – White bread works great, too!

Instructions

Clean the soft shell crab by using kitchen scissors to cut out the gills, remove the apron and remove the face.
Beat egg in a bowl until it is evenly mixed.
Dredge the crab in the egg until it is evenly coated.

Dredge the crab in the breading until it is covered, season with salt and pepper as desired.
Heat oil in fryer or pan to approx 375 degrees.
Place breaded crab in the hot oil and allow 3-4 minutes to cook, until golden brown.

Remove crab from fryer using tongs and pat dry with a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Toast roll.
Place fried softshell, lettuce, and tomato slice on a bun.

Optional – Top with sauce; cocktail, horseradish, or ketchup

Notes

This recipe is designed for cooking one soft shell crab, but you can easily scale it up to prepare as many as you need.

Keyword seafood, blue crab, fried, soft shell crab, sandwich

Soft-shell crabs cook quickly, are easier to consume than hard-shell crabs, and have an unbeatable sweet, salty flavor and crunchy-soft juicy texture. Fried soft shell crab sandwich makes for a fantastic lunch or dinner entree.

fried soft shell crab sandwich in crisfield maryland

Soft-shell crabs and the well-known blue crab are the same species, despite the fact that some longtime crab-loving Marylanders believe they are two different species. Soft crabs are essentially blue crabs that have recently molted, revealing a paper-thin exoskeleton that hardens within hours after leaving their hard shells.

Let’s get started!

What you’ll need in preparing this fried soft shell crab sandwich recipe

Soft-shell crabs are simple to clean, but you may always ask the fish market to do it for you. Just eat them the same day you clean them, especially in this sandwich. If you’re new to cooking soft-shells, many seafood counters sell pre-cleaned crabs that are ready to cook as well.