Enjoy these crispy, deep-fried oysters as a summer snack, or sandwich them inside of a toasted baguette for a classic New Orleans–inspired oyster po’boy. 


Fried Oysters Recipe: How to Serve Fried Oysters

Fried oysters are a crispy appetizer consisting of fresh oysters dipped in seasoned [cornmeal](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cornmeal-vs-corn-starch) batter and deep-fried in hot oil until crunchy and golden brown. [Oysters](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-eat-an-oyster) are <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-bivalve-mollusks' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-bivalve-mollusks","linkCopy":"bivalve mollusks","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>bivalve mollusks</a> containing tender, briny oyster flesh encased between two hard, hinged shells. Although diners typically enjoy oysters fresh on the half-shell, deep-frying produces juicy yet crispy morsels that your backyard barbecue guests will enjoy. 
Follow these tips to fry oysters perfectly every time. 

1. __Dry the oysters well__. Before breading and deep-frying your oysters, remove as much of their moisture as possible. Thoroughly drain the mollusks and pat each dry with a paper towel to help the breading adhere to the slippery shellfish. 
2. __Experiment with additions__. Customize your fried oysters with your favorite seasonings and breading ingredients. Swap the cornmeal coating for fine [Panko breadcrumbs](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/panko-vs-breadcrumbs-explained), or alter the flour mixture with flavorful additions like Old Bay and Cajun or [Creole seasoning](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cajun-vs-creole-seasoning-explained).
3. __Keep the frying oil temperature consistent__. For perfectly crispy fried oysters, heat the oil up to 370 degrees Fahrenheit before adding the oysters. Use a food thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil, ensuring that it remains consistent throughout the cooking process. 
4. __Use a heavy pot or deep fryer__. Make this crispy dish in a deep fryer or a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot with ample room for the oil. Cover the top with a splatter screen to prevent grease from dirtying your cooking area. 
5. __Store properly__. Fried oysters will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For long-term storage, place the prepared oysters in a zip-top bag and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat the frozen oysters in an air fryer or oven when you’re ready to serve. 

There is no shortage of ways to enjoy these crispy, bite-sized snacks. Some of the most popular ways to serve fried oysters include: 

- __Alongside dipping sauce__: The most classic way to serve fried oysters is as a snack or side dish with a small bowl of [tartar sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/homemade-tartar-sauce-recipe), cocktail sauce, herby aioli, or [remoulade sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-remoulade-easy-remoulade-recipe-and-tips) for dipping. 
- __In a sandwich__: Fried oyster sandwiches or po’boys are another popular way to enjoy oysters. Arrange the fried oysters on a halved baguette with pickled slaw, hot sauce, and remoulade for a decadent [po’boy](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/po-boy-recipe) sandwich. 
- __On a salad__: Top any green salad or grain bowl with fried oysters for a crunchy, savory hit of protein. 
- __On a seafood platter__: Fried oysters make an excellent addition to any fried seafood platter. Complete the fried seafood medley with fried clams, calamari, and soft-shell crab. 

Enjoy these crispy, deep-fried oysters as a summer snack, or sandwich them inside of a toasted baguette for a classic New Orleans–inspired oyster po’boy.

Fried oysters are a crispy appetizer consisting of fresh oysters dipped in seasoned <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cornmeal-vs-corn-starch' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cornmeal-vs-corn-starch","linkCopy":"cornmeal","category":null}'>cornmeal</a> batter and deep-fried in hot oil until crunchy and golden brown. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-eat-an-oyster' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-eat-an-oyster","linkCopy":"Oysters","category":null}'>Oysters</a> are <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-bivalve-mollusks' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-bivalve-mollusks","linkCopy":"bivalve mollusks","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>bivalve mollusks</a> containing tender, briny oyster flesh encased between two hard, hinged shells. Although diners typically enjoy oysters fresh on the half-shell, deep-frying produces juicy yet crispy morsels that your backyard barbecue guests will enjoy.

What Are Fried Oysters?

Follow these tips to fry oysters perfectly every time. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Dry the oysters well. Before breading and deep-frying your oysters, remove as much of their moisture as possible. Thoroughly drain the mollusks and pat each dry with a paper towel to help the breading adhere to the slippery shellfish. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Experiment with additions. Customize your fried oysters with your favorite seasonings and breading ingredients. Swap the cornmeal coating for fine <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/panko-vs-breadcrumbs-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/panko-vs-breadcrumbs-explained","linkCopy":"Panko breadcrumbs","category":null}'>Panko breadcrumbs</a>, or alter the flour mixture with flavorful additions like Old Bay and Cajun or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cajun-vs-creole-seasoning-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cajun-vs-creole-seasoning-explained","linkCopy":"Creole seasoning","category":null}'>Creole seasoning</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Keep the frying oil temperature consistent. For perfectly crispy fried oysters, heat the oil up to 370 degrees Fahrenheit before adding the oysters. Use a food thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil, ensuring that it remains consistent throughout the cooking process. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Use a heavy pot or deep fryer. Make this crispy dish in a deep fryer or a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot with ample room for the oil. Cover the top with a splatter screen to prevent grease from dirtying your cooking area. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Store properly. Fried oysters will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For long-term storage, place the prepared oysters in a zip-top bag and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat the frozen oysters in an air fryer or oven when you’re ready to serve. </li></ol>

5 Tips for Frying Oysters

There is no shortage of ways to enjoy these crispy, bite-sized snacks. Some of the most popular ways to serve fried oysters include: <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Alongside dipping sauce: The most classic way to serve fried oysters is as a snack or side dish with a small bowl of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/homemade-tartar-sauce-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/homemade-tartar-sauce-recipe","linkCopy":"tartar sauce","category":null}'>tartar sauce</a>, cocktail sauce, herby aioli, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-remoulade-easy-remoulade-recipe-and-tips' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-remoulade-easy-remoulade-recipe-and-tips","linkCopy":"remoulade sauce","category":null}'>remoulade sauce</a> for dipping. </li><li class="">In a sandwich: Fried oyster sandwiches or po’boys are another popular way to enjoy oysters. Arrange the fried oysters on a halved baguette with pickled slaw, hot sauce, and remoulade for a decadent <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/po-boy-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/po-boy-recipe","linkCopy":"po’boy","category":null}'>po’boy</a> sandwich. </li><li class="">On a salad: Top any green salad or grain bowl with fried oysters for a crunchy, savory hit of protein. </li><li class="">On a seafood platter: Fried oysters make an excellent addition to any fried seafood platter. Complete the fried seafood medley with fried clams, calamari, and soft-shell crab. </li></ul>

How to Serve Fried Oysters

Crispy Fried Oysters Recipe

Enjoy these crispy, deep-fried oysters as a summer snack, or sandwich them inside of a toasted baguette for a classic New Orleans–inspired oyster po’boy.