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Fried Soft shell Crab recipe

Fried Soft Shell Crabs

Author: Larry White
Beer battered soft shell crab fried until crisp and golden, then seasoned hot with salt and black pepper. Best served on a sandwich or lowcountry style over grits.
5 from 4 votes

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Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients 

  • 4 soft shell crabs, cleaned
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 6 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup cold beer, preferably amber
  • 1 quart cooking oil, or as needed for frying
  • salt and black pepper, for seasoning after frying

Instructions

  • Clean the soft shell crabs by removing the face, gills, and apron. Pat them very dry with paper towels.
  • In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and kosher salt.
  • Whisk in the cold beer until the batter is smooth.
  • Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet, cast iron skillet, or deep fryer to 350 to 375°F.
  • Dip each crab into the batter, briefly letting the excess drip off.
  • Fry until golden brown and crisp, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
  • Transfer to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate and season right away with salt and black pepper.
  • Serve on a sandwich or over grits.

NOTES

  • Dry the crabs: Pat the crabs dry well before battering or the coating will not stick as well.
  • Chill the beer: The beer must be very cold. If the beer is warm, the batter will not turn out correctly.
  • Beer substitute: If you do not have beer, you can substitute it with cold sparkling water.
  • Frying temperature: Keep the oil between 350 and 375°F for a light, crisp crust.
  • Batches: Fry in batches so the oil temperature does not drop too much.
  • Season: Season as soon as the crabs come out of the oil.
  • Leftovers: The fried crabs are best eaten the day that they are served. Leftovers are not recommended.

Nutrition

Calories: 2321kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 237g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 67g | Monounsaturated Fat: 150g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 0.4mg | Sodium: 867mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 0.2IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation. Nutrition is per serving.

Keywords: Fried crabs, Soft shell crab
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