Indulge in the ultimate seafood treat with these Keto Crispy Fried Oysters-golden, crunchy bites that are low-carb and irresistibly delicious! Perfect for keto and gluten-free diets, this recipe swaps traditional breadcrumbs for a flavorful coating of almond flour, parmesan cheese, and coconut flour, seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Shucked oysters are dipped in a creamy egg wash before being fried to perfection in avocado oil, delivering a crisp outer layer with a tender and juicy center. Ready in just 30 minutes, these fried oysters make a show-stopping appetizer or a decadent main dish. Serve with fresh lemon wedges for a zesty finish and enjoy the restaurant-quality experience in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Why Keto Fried Oysters?
If you are on a keto diet but still want to enjoy delicious and new dishes from oysters, keto fried oysters are a perfect choice. This dish comes from oyster's paradise, and it will bring the sweetness and aroma of the sea to your table. Honestly, delicious dishes are often more difficult to make, and it's absolutely true of this dish. However, with our simple yet effective recipe shared in this article, you can fry oysters at home.
Are Oysters Keto-Friendly?
There are indeed carbs in oysters, but the amount of carbs is not much, even very little. You can safely add oysters to your keto menu if you like. In fact, 100 grams of raw oysters contain only 4.95 grams of carbohydrates. When you do a simple calculation, if you eat 100 grams of oysters (about 12.5 oysters), you will only have 4.95 grams of carbs. Oysters are also an easy-to-find cooking ingredient; you can find them at any seafood market. Keto fried oysters are quite simple to make, but the process of shucking oysters is really not easy. You should have an oyster knife to make things go more smoothly. You can also use canned oysters to avoid shelling at the supermarket or store.
Keto Crispy Fried Oysters Recipe
Dive into the irresistible crunch of Low Carb Crispy Fried Oysters, a keto-friendly twist on a classic coastal delight! This recipe swaps traditional breading for a flavorful coating of almond flour and Parmesan cheese, perfectly spiced with garlic powder, paprika, and a hint of cayenne for just the right kick. The oysters are gently dipped in a rich egg and cream wash before being fried to golden, crispy perfection in coconut or avocado oil. Quick to prepare, these crispy bites are ideal for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or an indulgent snack, all while staying low-carb and gluten-free. Pair them with a squeeze of fresh lemon for a burst of tangy brightness that complements their decadent crunch.
Ingredients
- Fresh or Canned Oysters: The star of the show, providing that unique seafood flavor.
- Almond Flour: A low-carb alternative to traditional flour, offering a slightly nutty flavor and crispy texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, savory depth to the coating.
- Coconut Flour: Enhances the texture of the coating, making it extra crispy.
- Paprika: Provides a smoky, slightly sweet flavor and vibrant color.
- Garlic Powder: Infuses the oysters with a savory, aromatic note.
- Black Pepper: Adds a touch of spice and enhances the overall flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper (Optional): For those who like a little heat.
- Eggs: Help the coating adhere to the oysters.
- Heavy Cream: Enriches the egg wash, adding moisture and flavor.
- Avocado or Coconut Oil: For frying, these oils have a high smoke point and neutral flavor.
- Lemon Wedges: To serve, adding a zesty finish.
- Old Bay Seasoning: Adds a classic seafood flavor.
- Pork Rind Crumbs (Panko): A low-carb alternative to breadcrumbs.
- Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Milk: Adds moisture to the egg mixture.
- Cajun Seasoning: Provides a spicy, savory flavor.
Instructions
Preparing the Oysters
- Shuck and Rinse (if using fresh): Shuck the oysters carefully, then rinse them under cold water to remove any shell fragments or debris.
- Drain and Pat Dry: Let the oysters drain in a colander. Pat the shucked oysters dry with paper towels to ensure the coating adheres properly. If using canned oysters, drain them in a colander, rinse them in cool water, and dry them on clean paper towels.
- Cut Oysters (Optional): Rinse the oysters, then cut them into bite-sized pieces (you can leave the whole oyster to fry, I choose not to cut it to make it easier to fry).
Preparing the Coating
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a shallow bowl, combine almond flour, parmesan cheese, coconut flour, ground black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Alternatively, in a large bowl, combine the pork panko, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In another bowl, whisk together the egg and heavy cream until well combined.
Coating the Oysters
- Dip in Egg Mixture: Dip each oyster into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Dredge in Flour Mixture: Dredge the oyster in the almond flour mixture, making sure it is completely coated. The second time you dip the oysters in the flour, you need to dip them more carefully to coat the outside of the oyster fully. Place them in the bowl of herbed crumbs. Stir to coat each piece.
Frying the Oysters
- Heat the Oil: Heat avocado or coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should be about 1/4-inch deep in the pan. Ensure the oil reaches approximately 350°F (175°C). Heat oil to hot.
- Fry in Batches: Carefully place the breaded oysters into the hot oil. Fry the oysters in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You are probably only going to get about 8 oysters at a time in the pan so they will have to be done in batches. Of course a bit of the pork rinds will come off in the oil and no biggie.
- Cook Until Golden: Fry each side until all sides turn golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove and Drain: Remove the fried oysters from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Air Fryer Keto Crispy Fried Oysters
Air fryer oysters are crispy, light, and perfectly breaded! Seafood lovers will be impressed with just how delicious oysters in the air fryer can be.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F (177C). There is no need to preheat the air fryer
- Prepare Oysters: Prepare oysters through step 4.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the coated oysters in a single layer in your air fryer basket or air fryer tray. Try to space them out as much as possible for more even cooking.
- Cook: Air fry oysters for a total of 8 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177C).
- Flip (Optional): Flip the oysters, spray lightly with cooking oil, and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Let them cool for 2 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Lemon Wedges: Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges for a zesty finish.
- Dipping Sauces: Pair with your favorite keto-friendly dipping sauces such as:
- Cocktail sauce
- Spicy mayo
- Tartar sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Horseradish
- Garnish: You could also garnish with a little fresh parsley.
Tips for Perfect Keto Fried Oysters
- Use Fresh, High-Quality Oysters: The fresher the oysters, the better the flavor.
- Dry the Oysters Well: Patting the oysters dry ensures the coating sticks and they get crispy.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Frying in batches prevents the oil temperature from dropping, ensuring crispy oysters.
- Monitor Oil Temperature: Keep the oil at a consistent temperature for even cooking.
- Serve Immediately: Fried oysters are best served hot and crispy.
- Dredge Thoroughly: Ensure each oyster is fully coated in the almond flour mixture for maximum crispiness.
Additional Seafood Keto Recipes
In addition to the delicious keto fried oysters, you can enrich the keto plan menu with a number of other seafood dishes. Here are a few seafood keto recipes that we would like to recommend to you.
Halibut Spicy Tomato Soup
This Halibut Spicy Tomato Soup features soft, fresh fish pieces and a refreshing sweetness. A little spiciness will make the dish more attractive. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Put tomatoes, vegetable broth, anchovies, red peppers, salt and pepper in a pot and bring to a boil. Remove the food from the pot and divide the halibut into small pieces.
Spicy Oyster Sauce
In addition to cooking delicious crispy fried oysters, you can also make this delicious spicy oyster sauce. Spread the basil leaves on a baking tray, then pour the oysters and sauce on top. Heat the oven to high heat. Place the dish on the top rack within a few inches from the broiler.
Garlic Butter Clams
Keto dishes can include clams. The sweet taste of clam meat plus the aroma of garlic butter is the perfect combination. When the water is boiling, put the clams on the island and then break the lid. Steam for 8 minutes without opening the lid.
Nutritional Information
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Fried oysters that have been breaded or battered are much higher in calories than plain oysters. Air frying reduces the fat in fried oysters compared to deep frying. Using whole wheat panko in place of pork panko in this recipe can lower the fat and calories. However, you may want to use an oil spray on the oysters in this case.
Health and Safety
- Are fried oysters safe to eat? Yes, fried oysters should be safe to eat if they were properly handled and cooked to a safe temp. The minimum safe internal temp for oysters is 145F (63C).
- When are oysters in season? A popular myth in the US is that oyster season is during months that have the letter “r.” It’s true that the risk of Vibrio is a bit higher in warmer months (CDC).
- Do you rinse oysters before frying? Yes, you should rinse fresh oysters and canned oysters in cold water before cooking. Fresh oysters collect sand, dirt, and other debris in their shells that should be rinsed away.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto