Air Fryer Oysters

Did you know you could make crispy air fried oysters without deep frying them? Yep, tastes just as crunchy but without the oil or added fat. Just one of many easy air fryer recipes we made this weekend and will over and over again.

If you have been enjoying air fryer fish recipes lately, you should add this one to your list of faves. Even my kids loved these with a little squeeze of lime and salt on top. If you find them in the shell then fresh is always best of course. To bread them you’ll have to scoop out the middles first.

Only have canned? No problem you can use those too. I mean those can be found year round at the grocery store. Not nearly as good as right out of the sea but if you don’t live near the ocean it may be your only option.

Air Fryer Oysters Made with Canned Oysters

If you have to buy them at the store in a tin can there are a few favorite brands that get the best reviews. You will want to look for; Crown Prince Natural Smoked Oysters, Geisha Fancy, Reese or try Roland brand. This is not as tasty but the easiest way to find them year round.

Made with Fresh Oysters

If you live by the ocean you may be able to find these right at the dock or your seafood market. Others of us who aren’t so lucky can find them frozen or at the meat counter at your grocery store. In this case you will likely have to shuck them yourself which can be quite a task, but have the best fresh flavors for sure! Either way you choose the steps below will remain the same.

How Long to Cook Breaded Oysters in Air Fryer

You are going to want about 8 minutes total, flipping halfway thru, to get them cooked all the way thru. This is for shelled and breaded, regular sized. If larger of course it will need more time.

Do you rinse oysters before air frying?

Yes. Just use a colander so they don’t fall into the drain and give them a good rinse with cool water. If you’re air frying them like we share here you’ll want to blot them dry on paper towels after that so the breading will stick nicely.

Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Oysters (Option)

You can use a Foodi with the lid that is attached and the air crisp button on the front. You will want to cook in batches so they do not overlap. Use the black basket with the holes in the bottom of it, the round one, so the hot air can circulate all around making them as crispy as possible.

Tips for Success

It is important when air frying everything breaded that you ensure the outsides are nice and dry to begin with. If you don’t the texture won’t be as crispy and will take longer to cook period.

Then you’ll want to set up an assembly line of sorts with the 3 shallow bowls of ingredients that will add lots of flavor. You’ll begin with some flour, then an egg wash, and into the breadcrumbs they go.

You can add any and all of your favorite seasonings. Cajun seasoning and hot sauce were added to these. If you didn’t want any heat at all you could opt for just some Old Bayfor great flavor.

If you’ve had these babies at the fair or at a restaurant you probably have a frame of reference as far as how crispy they should be. Those were likely submerged in oil and fried. You can get the same result this way, if you follow the air fryer appetizers instructions exactly as written below

You could even bread a fish fillet like air fryer mahi mahi and lay side by side, in one layer still, and serve together for a duo of a wonderful meal.

What do you eat with fried oysters?

If you feel like you want something to dip these in, I get it. You can use all sorts of things but seafood boil sauce or cocktail sauce. Kids may prefer ketchup or Ranch, anything goes…..

You can see the bites of goodness right here when they are nice and done, ready to pop into your mouth. Fry sauce is another that my kids like, bang bang shrimp sauce goes really well, and others just like a bit of Worcestershire sauce or cocktail sauce.

We love them with a side of air fryer frozen tater tots for a finger food meal! Other than that I would serve these with air fryer vegetables and a starch like white rice or quinoa.