Is there anything better than a giant platter of fresh oysters? Okay, wait. I know what some of you are thinking.
You are thinking slimyyyyy or maybe you are thinking too fishy or maybe you are just thinking no thanks I will pass. But please just hear me out.
I am here to tell you that these oyster appetizers are going to change your mind. We are taking that briny ocean flavor and pairing it with rich butter and crunchy toppings and zippy sauces that make the whole thing sing.
It is a flavor explosion. It is a texture wonderland. Just give it a try. I dare you not to like it.
1. Deep-Fried Oysters with Remoulade
Okay, maybe not everyone sees the appeal of raw oysters. But nearly all seafood lovers can get behind deep-fried oysters with crispy cornmeal crusts.
These little guys are so good that they really won’t need any fancy dressings or garnishes to make you come back for seconds.
However, I am going to recommend whipping up the homemade remoulade sauce for dipping. It is creamy, zesty, and features a nice kick of heat from the Tabasco.
2. Oysters Rockefeller
Oysters Rockefeller is basically just a fancy name for baked oysters covered with a spinach and breadcrumb topping. You can have them ready in less than an hour with only nine ingredients.
These are delicious, but you honestly won’t get a ton of pure oyster flavor from them. Instead, you will primarily taste the butter, shallots, cheese, spinach, and lemon juice.
If you have guests who are new to the world of oyster appetizers, this is a great one to ease in with. Just understand that you will probably be hooked after a single bite.
3. Best Southern Crispy Fried Oysters
Let’s bring a bit of that famous New Orleans Cajun cooking into your house with this recipe for crispy, crunchy fried oysters.
You coat each one in a mixture of buttermilk, flour, yellow cornmeal, Creole seasoning, and salt, and then you fry them in a quart of peanut oil.
It takes about 20 minutes to make enough for two people. That Creole seasoning goes a long way towards making these taste just like they would if you were eating them on Bourbon Street.
4. Raw Oysters on the Half Shell With Cucumber Mignonette
Of course, not everyone wants their seafood to have a touch of strawberry sweetness. If that sounds like you, this recipe might be a better fit.
The oysters are still raw and on their shells, but you serve them with a mignonette that is earthier and less sweet.
It contains cucumbers, ginger, rice wine vinegar, a shallot, a dash of sugar, and fresh pepper. You also serve them alongside cocktail sauce for those who want something more traditional.
It might not require any cooking, but this dish gives your guests a great selection of flavors to choose from.
5. Oyster Ceviche
If you have never had ceviche, now is a good time to change that. Ceviche is full of hearty chunks of yumminess and flavor.
To make this 30 minute appetizer, you will need oysters, tomatoes, red onions, green bell peppers, cilantro, lime juice, oil, and salt.
You can spoon it up like soup if you want, but most people prefer to serve it with fried plantain chips or tortilla chips for dipping. The saltier, the better.
6. Grilled Oysters with White Wine Butter Sauce
These smoky oysters are incredible, and that is thanks mainly to the delightful wine butter sauce you make from scratch.
Each bite of these tender oysters is buttery, garlicky, earthy, and herby. I would almost bet that even the most anti seafood people on the planet will enjoy them.
And if they don’t? That just means there are more left over for you, so it is a win win situation.
7. Oysters with Champagne Strawberry Mignonette
One of the best things about oysters is that you don’t even have to cook them to enjoy them. They are one of those wonderful things that taste just as good raw.
That means you can whip up this simple, flavorful appetizer in practically no time. All it takes is a bit of mixing ingredients on your part.
You use shallots, strawberries, fresh black pepper, and vinegar to make a sweet and tangy dressing that you spoon over the raw oysters in their shell.
It gives them an unbeatable taste and a bright splash of color. Plus, it makes them look so refined and high class that no one will know you pulled them together in just 10 minutes.
8. Easy Baked Oysters
This easy baked oysters recipe is an excellent alternative if you want delectable oysters but aren’t in the mood for frying them.
It takes 25 minutes to prepare and cook them. Each oyster is perfectly seasoned with Creole seasoning and covered with parmesan and cheddar cheeses.
Sprinkle a bit of chopped parsley over them to give them some color and an earthier taste. You won’t be disappointed, and neither will your guests.
9. Smoked Oyster Spread
Whether you want it on top of crackers, fresh veggies, or a warm, chewy bagel, smoked oyster spread is the ultimate oyster appetizer that anyone can enjoy.
It is thick and chunky, and it has so much flavor that you won’t believe it uses only four ingredients. We are talking cream cheese, smoked oysters, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne.
Because everything is ready to go and there is no cooking or even cutting involved, you can have it on the table in just 5 minutes.
If you want to add some color and even more umami flavor, dice some green onions or garlic and mix them with the other ingredients.
Just don’t overdo it. You don’t want to overpower the savory smokiness of the oysters.
10. Bacon-Wrapped Oysters
If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times: everything tastes better with bacon. As it turns out, oysters are no exception to that rule.
For this simple but insanely scrumptious recipe, you need oysters, bacon, sugar, garlic, and soy sauce. The result is a salty, garlicky, umami packed delicacy that no one will be able to turn down.
