I want you to take a tasty adventure with an easy dish that will elevate your overall taste – try the clam fritter recipe.
In this blog post, we will discuss the complete process of preparing the clam fritters.
Later, we will also look at variations, pro tips to level up the taste, storage and freezing tips and much more.
What are Clam Fritters?
Clam fritter, a delicious tasting seafood delight, is made by mixing fresh clams with a batter of flour, eggs, and seasonings and frying them till they’re golden brown.
Clam fritters are usually seasoned with herbs and spices and make a great appetizer, but can also serve as a snack or main course.
Firm outside, juicy and savoury inside, which highlights the salty taste of the clams.
They are also included with a tray of dipping sauces, like tartar sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crunchy Texture: These fritters are fairly crunchy outside and mashed and tasty inside, which makes every bite enjoyable.
Quick and Easy: The recipe is easy. It is simple to prepare and requires little effort. This makes it the best meal for instant dinner or snack time fun.
Delicious Flavour: Mix a combination with fresh clams, seasonings, and herbs for the ultimate in flavour; seafood lovers will love its taste!
Versatility: Clam fritters can be served as a main course, appetizer, or snack; they can be complemented with a variety of dipping sauces and sides as well.
Customizability: Feel free to experiment with any add-ins like your darling herbs, spices, or vegetables according to your taste.
Tips
Choose Fresh Clams: It is recommended that you use fresh clams whenever possible for the best taste. If you’re using canned clams, however, make sure to get a good brand and chop coarsely after draining excess broth.
Chill the Batter: Chill the fritter batter in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This should make them cook up light and crispy, as the batter will hold shape better.
Don’t Overmix: Just stir the wet into the dry until incorporated. Too much stirring can make them tough!
Adjusting Consistency: If the batter is too thick, more milk can be added or even clam juice to acquire an appropriate-looking portion. It should be thick enough to hold its shape but not too heavy.
Check Oil Temperature: Use a thermometer to check if the oil is at the right temperature (about 350°F or 175°C). If the oil is too hot, the fritters will burn outside and be raw inside. If it’s too cool, they will soak up too much oil and become greasy.
Variations
Spicy Clam Fritters: Add finely chopped jalapeño or hot sauce to the batter in small amounts. Higher heat may be considered with more cayenne pepper.
Cheese-filled Clam Fritters: Cheese, cheddar, pepper jack on top, and cheese within; what fun! This makes the fritters creamy, rich and tastier.
Herbed Clam Fritters: Mix fresh herbs like dill, chives, and coriander to bring out the flavour even more. A mix of different herbs is nice as well.
Vegetable Clam Fritters: Add finely chopped vegetables like bell pepper, green onion, or corn for more texture and flavour. Zucchini grated works too; please make sure all excess water is squeezed off.
Coconut Clam Fritters: Mix in shredded coconut, which will add a tropical flavour to the dish. This goes nicely with some sweet dipping sauce like mango salsa.
Serving Suggestions
Tartar Sauce: A creamy mixture of mayonnaise, pickles, and lemon juice with a refreshing taste, which pairs well with clam fritters.
Cocktail Sauce: This sauce-packing heat is usually made from ketchup, prepared horseradish, and lemon juice. It adds a nice kick when served with seafood.
Sweet Chilli Sauce: A slightly sweetish sauce with faint depth and some vibrancy. It’s an excellent flavour for those who love seafood with a bit of quick heat.
Coleslaw: Salad-filled, crispy, shredded cabbage and carrot are made into a salad, often prepared with a tangy or creamy dressing. It offers a complementary taste to the fried fritters.
Green Salad: Salad of service light greens with lettuce, spinach, and arugula, tossed in vinaigrette. It goes well with the heaviness of the fritters.
Storing and Freezing
Storing
Allow it to cool completely and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
When needed, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or in an air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.
Freezing
Fritters need to cool thoroughly before being placed in one layer on a baking sheet and then frozen for 1 – 2 hours.
Move fritters into a freezer-safe container or resealable bag, making sure to get as much air out as possible.
Label the container and freeze it up to 2-3 months.
In an oven heated to 375°F (190°C), bake for about 15-20 minutes or toss them well in an air fryer at 350°F (180°C) and air-fry for 10-12 minutes until hot and crunchy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, clam fritters make a deliciously versatile dish, bringing the taste of the sea to your table.
So why don’t you give these clam fritters a try? Grab your ingredients and start enjoying the process.
Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below.
Read More:- Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bombs
Clam Fritter Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh or canned clams drained and chopped (reserve the juice if using canned)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for a bit of heat
- 1/2 cup milk or clam juice if using canned clams
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional
- Oil for frying vegetable or canola oil
Instructions
- Mix flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, black pepper and, if chosen, cayenne pepper in a larger bowl.
- Add in gradual wet mixture to dry mixture while constantly stirring until just combined.
- It’s okay to have a few lumps, so be careful not to overmix it.
- Mix chopped clams and parsley in gently. They should be mixed carefully and well.
- Pour about inches of oil in a deep skillet or frying pan and place over a medium heat. To gauge whether the oil is hot enough, drop a tiny portion of batter into it, it should sizzle, and rise to the surface.
- Drop spoonfuls of the batter into hot oil using a spoon or small ice cream scoop but be careful not to over-crowd the pan.
- Fry the fritters for 2-3 minutes on each side, removing them afterward once they are golden brown and crispy. If required, decrease the heat to avoid burning.
- When the fritters are done, place them on some paper towels to absorb any lingering oil. Serve hot with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or lemon.
