Great Great Aunt Jessie's 1940's Fried Oysters

Take a delicious trip back in time with Great Great Aunt Jessie's 1940's Fried Oysters, a cherished family recipe that combines classic flavors with a crisp, golden crunch. Perfectly shucked oysters are coated in a seasoned blend of cornmeal and flour—highlighted by a hint of paprika and optional cayenne for a subtle kick—then fried to perfection in hot oil for a satisfying bite that's both tender and crispy. This vintage recipe is simple yet indulgent, bringing a nostalgic taste of old-fashioned Southern cooking to your table. Pair these savory fried oysters with fresh lemon wedges for a burst of brightness and serve them as an appetizer or the star of your seafood feast. Ready in just 35 minutes, it's an easy crowd-pleaser steeped in culinary tradition!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 24 pieces fresh oysters, shucked
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• 4 pieces lemon wedges (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the shucked oysters under cold water and set them on paper towels to drain completely. Pat them dry gently to remove excess moisture.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs until well combined.

Step 3

In a separate shallow dish, combine the flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, paprika, and optional cayenne pepper.

Step 4

Set up a breading station: one dish with the oysters, one with the milk-egg mixture, and one with the flour-cornmeal mixture.

Step 5

Dip each oyster into the milk-egg mixture, allowing the excess to drip off. Then coat the oyster thoroughly in the flour-cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating. Place the breaded oysters on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper as you work.

Step 6

In a large, heavy skillet or a deep frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain the temperature for best results.

Step 7

Working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, carefully lower the breaded oysters into the hot oil. Fry them for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.

Step 8

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried oysters to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 9

Repeat with the remaining oysters until all are cooked.

Step 10

Serve the fried oysters immediately with lemon wedges on the side for a burst of brightness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2405.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6365.9

Total Fat 529.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 83.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 1001.3mg	0%
Sodium 3693.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 329.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.1g	0%
Total Sugars 16.7g
Protein 132.7g	0%

Vitamin D 4029.4IU	0%
Calcium 1615.5mg	0%
Iron 99.8mg	0%
Potassium 3766.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 72.0%

Protein: 8.0%

Carbs: 19.9%