Clam fritters may not be the healthiest food, at least not how I make them, but they are so good it makes cheating on a diet less shameful. I grew up on seafood and clam fritters were one of the first seafood recipes I learned. It's actually not much to making homemade clam fritters, but there are a few secrets.
The first secret is a solution to getting the clams open. It can be a real pain in the butt opening clams, so I use a trick my grandmother taught me. It's great for keeping the mess down too! Just put the clams on a cookie sheet and pop them in the freezer for about an hour. Slip a knife through the slit and tap the end with a small hammer if it's not popping open. Once the clam is open you can use a spoon to scoop everything out. Since the clams are frozen there's no juice to fly around everywhere, which is a major bonus.
The second tip for a great clam fritter is chopping up the clams. Doing this by hand is time-consuming so I like to use a manual food chopper. I found one on Amazon (they're also at Walmart) and it has been perfect for so many things. It chops clams perfectly and does a lot of other things too (like mixing, slicing, shredding...).
You just pull the handle repeatedly until you get the results you want. I LOVE it, and it's under $12! You want minced clams, with as few large pieces as possible. This helps to distribute the flavor evenly.
The final tip I have for the perfect homemade clam fritters is baking powder. It gives the fritters a beautiful puff that takes them from flat and floppy to fluffy and crisp.
I hope you love this clam fritter recipe as much as I do and I'd love to hear any variation on the recipe that you have. Be sure to check out our other recipes while you're here.
Homemade Fresh Clam Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 pint of shucked clams (about 18 clams)
- ½ cup reserved clam juice
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons minced onion
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay
- 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper
- 4 tbsp. vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
Preheat your oil to 360°F
Mix flour and seasonings together in a large bowl
Add remaining ingredients and whisk together to form a batter
Use a ladle to drop the batter into the pan (carefully, the oil is hot!) like pancakes, being sure that they're not too big
Cook for 3 - 4 minutes (or until golden brown) on each side
Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and repeat until you use up all of the batter
Serve warm
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1 FritterAmount Per Serving Calories 219Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 85mgSodium 930mgCarbohydrates 24gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 19g
Pin These Homemade Clam Fritters
EvelynFennell
Hi Amber, just a tip I do to make the Fritters light and airer, I let them stay in the oil until there are little bubbles on top, and I turn them over, (BUT DONT MASH THEM DOWN). Take them out when done and place on wire rack to drain. However mind don't stand a chance of draining if I'm not in the kitchen by my self .
Linda
Hello Amber! I’m from North Carolina. I’m going to try this recipe. Can I use onion powder instead of minced onions
Angela Milnes
Hi Linda, yes you can switch the onions for onion powder for sure.
Joan Thomas
Followed directions to the letter but only made half. Turned out terrible, like clam pancakes, fluffy and not crispy at all. Had to throw them out.
Amber
Oh no, I'm sorry Joan. I'm wondering if maybe the oil wasn't hot enough; that will definitely cause a soggy clam fritter. Also, did you let them sit on a paper towel to absorb excess oil?
Amber
Also adding that my family's clam fritters are "puffy" as opposed to flat. I will edit the post to reflect this. Again, I'm sorry the recipe didn't stand up to your expectations but I do appreciate the feedback.
Jim
Did you pre-cook clams
Amber
No, I didn't. I had them in the freezer so the juice was solid and just minced it all together.
Carol Somers
I also am from the good ole Eastern Shore.Its been awhile since ive cooked clam fritters but definitely trying your recipe.
Jeri Leonard
My grandmother used to make these for me. I've been looking for this recipe for years. I can't wait to try it.
Amber
Hopefully, it comes close to her recipe!
Shirley J
Thank you. I've never made clam fritters and tried this with some green onion and bell pepper added and they were heavenly!!
Amber
I'm so glad you enjoyed these!
Tom Sprague
I live in Maine and dug clams for 25 years!!! 🙂
Amber
I've never dug clams, but I've sure eaten plenty!!
Lisa
I also live in Maine. These look like I’ve grown up eating. I can’t wait to try them. I got about 8 large given to me. (I’m ashamed to say I’ve never made them) but I sure have eaten a lot.
Tom Sprague
Just like Mama used to make!! I want some!!
Amber
Hopefully you made these and loved them!!
Sue
I don't see why you pre-heat the oven if you fry them.
Amber
You're preheating the oil (that you fry in), not the oven 🙂 The oil needs to be preheated to prevent the fritters from getting mushy.
nancy pollera
Making them as I write...What should we put on them when we eat? Lemon, seafood sauce? Can wait to try them..We get them local by us and we dig our own.
Amber
Hey Nancy! I squirt lemon juice on mine, a thin layer of cocktail sauce or maybe even tartar sauce may be a nice accompaniment too. I just slap them on bread and dig in <3 Enjoy!
Brian mayo
Hi I clam in Ocean city Md and Chincoteague Va. On the Delmarva Peninsula make may clam dishes love these clam fritters
Amber
Thanks, Brian! I'm Eastern Shore born and raised, glad you love clam fritters as much as I do 🙂
Grace Chatham
These are delicious..A bit of work but worth it!
Amber
I'm so glad you enjoyed them! They're definitely worth the effort if you ask me 😀
Libby C.
Used to eat these on the Eastern Shore. Glad I found the recipe !!!
Amber
That's where I live, so you know these are good 😉
Josy A
I don't think I have ever eaten a clam fritter! If I can find some clams in our local fish shop I'd love to give this a go though. They look delicious!
John Rieber
These look terrific! Fritters of all kinds work for me, but clams are a favorite!