Air Fryer Oysters gets the fuss of shucking done for you so you can get right back to popping the bubbly and hosting your guests! This is the easiest way to opening oysters on the shell without a shucking knife and a minimal mess.
Pair this easy oyster opening method with my go-to Mediterranean-style oyster vinaigrette sauce and serve in under 10 minutes! You really can't beat this quick appetizer!
Opening Oysters In The Air Fryer?
Absolutely! Opening oysters in the Air Fryer is the next best thing to air frying frozen fish and air frying frozen shrimp.
Air fryer oysters easily is my best expert trick to easily shuck oysters while juggling hosting a crowd. It also cooks them slightly, which is the sweet spot in my book.
So, next time you have oysters on the menu, try this amazing hack that's been a lifesaver for me! Experiment with various oysters and different mignonettes to find which one works best for you.
Although, Wikipedia says you need special skills to shuck an oyster (and you really do, if you want to shuck yourself) but they sure need to keep up with the fun hacks that don't require any skills and little time, thanks to the air fryer for being such a staple in many homes.
EASIEST WAY TO SHUCK OYSTERS
With this simple and efficient technique, you can effortlessly open oysters and savor them without any hassle.
When using an air fryer, wait for them to pop open and immediately remove them if you prefer them to stay raw. When they open, they make a popping noise, so stay close by!
I like to plate them on ice at this point and add the mignonette of choice.
If you want to cook them a little bit longer, then keep them in the air fryer for an additional minute or two.
And, yes we have an oyster shucking knife and all, but sometimes one less thing to do when you're hosting a crowd, is well, one less thing to do. And, everyone needs a good seafood hack from time to time.
The air fryer is my favorite tool when I'm working with seafood on a time crunch. There's almost nothing you can't cook in the air fryer. I love making air fryer halibut with pesto, to air fry frozen fish, air fry frozen shrimp, and these air fryer crab rangoons are one of the best things to come out of an air fryer!
So, take this trick and grab local oysters from a nearby seafood market, and try it out for yourself!
And, don't forget to try my Mediterranean-style Oyster vinaigrette sauce, where I take a spice staple in my pantry and add to this sauce that makes it unique and phenomenal!
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
- A dozen fresh raw oysters. There are a wide range of stores in metro areas that sell fresh oysters. Shop around for the best quality.
A few tips on shellfish safety: The rule of thumb is if they smell like fish, don't buy them. They should smell like salt water. Some stores include fish markets, grocery stores with a large seafood/meat counter, or turn to online shellfish distributors. Order online and they ship to your order.
- Hot sauce or use my oyster topping sauce.
EQUIPMENT & SPECIAL INGREDIENTS
My favorite Air Fryer and Indoor Grill. I use this almost daily and a must for easily opening oysters.
This air fryer has a built-in thermometer that comes in so handy for cooking other seafood.
HOW TO COOK OYSTERS IN AIR FRYER
Step 1. Oyster Safety Check. Make sure all the oysters are completely closed. If any of them are open, and don't close after you're touching them, toss them.
Step 2. Preheat air fryer to 425 Degrees F.
Step 3. Air fry oysters for 8-10 minutes. Depending on the size of your oysters and how cold they were. Aim to cook them for another 2 minutes after you hear them pop open, which typically happens around 7 minutes in. Allow them time to cool off before handling.
Step 4. Transfer them to an oyster platter, or a plate and top them with sauce of choice, either hot sauce, or try this oyster vinaigrette.
TOP TIPS
- Make sure oysters are fresh and safe to consume (they don't have a foil scent, and they're completely closed prior to cooking).
- Don't over cook them. They will become rubbery, and no one likes that. That can be easily done with cooking oysters in air fryers, so keep a close eye.
- Stay close by! Staying close to the air fryer to hear them pop, and making sure they only cook for another minute or two tops. Opening oysters in the air fryer couldn't be easier!
STORAGE TIPS
Store them on the shell.
Choose a large enough container that has a lid to close air tight. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days with or without sauce.
Store them shelled.
Shelling them creates less room in the fridge of course, and though there's less ambiance with shelled oysters, there's still plenty of ways to enjoy them. Top them to a sandwich, a salad, or make my absolutely mouthwatering Oyster Croissant Stuffing Recipe that typically uses smoked oysters, but can be subbed for fresh.
FAQ
The best way to cook oysters is actually in the air fryer! Gone are the days where you relied on your grill or oven, with an air fryer in almost every home it's a quick and easy way to opening oysters and cooking them. It takes just about 7-8 minutes from start to finish on a 425F preheat air fryer.
Cooking oysters in the air fryer can be done in just about 8 minutes. Since they come in all kinds of sizes, gauge the time by staying nearby and listening to them pop open from their shell, and time another 2 minutes to further cook them.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS RECIPE
Serve Air fryer oysters with a Mignonette or Vinaigrette. I've made a few sauces for oysters in the past, but my current favorite is this Mediterranean style sauce. I brought my roots into it, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.
Try this Fried Feta and Strawberry Salad alongside! and if you're going to use the Mediterranean oyster vinaigrette sauce that I pair with this recipe, you would love this Tabouli Salad to enjoy as a side salad.
As far as main dishes, the options are endless, since we're definitely not limited with seafood in the PNW. If you're in the salmon mood, you have to try this Smoky Bourbon Brown Sugar Salmon. If you're looking for a white fish or rock fish recipe, go for this Rosemary Parmesan Crusted Fish or this amazing 3 ingredient Boursin Bacon Fish recipe that knocks it out of the park in both simplicity and taste!
Don't forget to air fry shrimp to make a speedy dinner!
Make this Croissant Oyster stuffing with any leftovers!
BEST WINE WITH OYSTERS
The best wine to pair with oysters is either Pinot gris, Prosecco, Brut, or Champagne. Going for a bubbly is the go-to choice for shellfish.
If you'd like more wine and seafood pairings, make sure you subscribe to get a full list of all of our favorite wine and what seafood to pair with.
MORE SEAFOOD APPETIZERS
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Air Fryer Oysters (And Opening Oysters The Easiest Way)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 whole oysters
- sauce of choice I suggest using my Oyster Vinaigrette Sauce
Instructions
- Always test the oysters before cooking, to make sure none are open or smell foul. Preheat the air fryer to 425°F.
- Place as many oysters as can fit in one layer and cook until they pop open, about 7 minutes. Then cook another 2 minutes if you prefer to further cook them.
- Repeat until all oysters are cooked. Top with a mignonette, vinaigrette, or hot sauce and let cool prior to enjoying.
Notes
Nutrition
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Ben Wheeler
You just saved my hands! We tried this tonight and it turned out great. Opened the oysters faster than the oven or bbq! Thank you for sharing this easy trick!
Suzy Sakamoto
Hi Ben! I love sharing my seafood tricks and there's a ton with the air fryer if you haven't checked out my other great air fryer recipes!