Oyster Fritters

If you like oysters, you’ll adore these simple oyster fritters. They’re delicious and simple to prepare. They’re fantastic as an appetizer or a side dish. If you like oysters as much as we do, you’ll want to quadruple this recipe. They’ll fly off of the plate!

chesapeake-bay-oyster-fritters-recipe

Classic Eastern Shore Oyster Fritters

Oyster fritters are a true Eastern Shore classic that I love making whenever I’m craving something crispy and full of flavor. This recipe combines tender, briny oysters with a light, golden batter that fries up to perfection. They’re quick to make and always remind me of family seafood feasts. Serve them with tartar sauce or a splash of hot sauce for a dish that’s simple, satisfying, and packed with coastal charm!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper, ground
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 quart shucked oyster, and their liquor
  • vegetable oil

Instructions
 

  • Using a whisk, beat the eggs in a small bowl. Add the milk and whisk until a bit frothy.
  • In a second, larger bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper.
  • Add in the egg mixture and mix until you have a smooth batter.
  • Fold in the oysters and their liquor until they are evenly coated.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet until very hot, around 350F.
  • Ladle out 3 or 4 oysters and fry until golden brown on both sides, about 4 – 6 minutes.
  • Remove and drain.
  • Serve with tartar sauce or lemon slices and enjoy the first oyster harvest of the fall.
Keyword fried,seafood, oysters

In the Chesapeake Bay area, Oyster Fritters are a festival favorite, sort of a cross between a fried oyster and a pancake. This dredged and fried delicacy is incredibly delicious. Because fresh oysters might be difficult to come by in some areas, I’ve made these with canned oysters before and they’re great.

What’s Eastern Shore cooking? Blue crabs, oysters, clams, succulent rockfish, ducks, geese, wild turkeys, rabbits, chicken, deer, pig, and beef are among the many delicacies available. Fresh Silver Queen corn, vine-ripened tomatoes, delicious Eastern Shore cantaloupes, cool, crisp apples from the Vessey Orchards in Westover, MD, and bubbling hot pies loaded with fresh peaches, apples, blackberries, or strawberries.

Let’s get started!

Ingredients needed for Eastern Shore Oyster Fritters Recipe

For best results, it is always best to use freshly shucked oysters, but canned oysters will work if needed.

Flour

flour for baking oyster fritters

Baking powder

baking powder for extra crispy texture

Salt

salt - oyster fritters seasoning

Black pepper

ground black pepper

Egg

large egg

Milk

fresh whole milk

Oysters

Vegetable oil

vegetable oil - oyster fritters

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 quart of shucked oyster, and their liquor
  • vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS

Using a whisk, beat the eggs in a small bowl. Add the milk and whisk until a bit frothy.

In a second, larger bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper.

Add in the egg mixture and mix until you have a smooth batter.

Fold in the oysters and their liquor until they are evenly coated.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet until very hot, around 350F.

Ladle out 3 or 4 oysters and fry until golden brown on both sides, about 4 – 6 minutes.

Remove and drain.

Serve with tartar sauce or lemon slices and enjoy the first oyster harvest of the fall.

Click here to see more of our Chesapeake Bay recipes!

4.6/5 (5 Reviews)