Crunchy Soft-Shell Crabs

Name: Crunchy Soft-Shell Crabs
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients: 6 soft-shell crabs, cleaned; Buttermilk, for soaking; Vegetable oil, for frying; 1 cup fine cornmeal; 1 cup flour; Kosher salt; Black pepper; Lemon wedges, for serving optional

By Melissa Clark

Updated May 2, 2024

Total Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 to 3 minutes
Rating: 4(138)
Comments: Read comments

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings

6soft-shell crabs, cleaned
Buttermilk, for soaking
Vegetable oil, for frying
1cup fine cornmeal
1cup flour
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Lemon wedges, for serving optional

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Soak crabs in a bowl of buttermilk.
Step 2
In a deep fryer or saucepan, heat 4 inches of oil to 375 degrees.
Step 3
Whisk together cornmeal and flour, and salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4
Remove crabs from buttermilk, letting excess drip back into bowl. Coat crabs evenly in the cornmeal mixture. Working in batches, fry until golden brown and crisp all over, turning if needed, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels. While warm, season with salt. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

Tip

Variations: Use for oysters, small whole fish like whitebait or sliced okra.

Ratings

4 out of 5

138 user ratings

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Comments

JM7 years ago

This is a fine recipe. But I grew up near the Chesapeake Bay and I still prefer softshells sauteed, not deep fried. It's easie,r for one, and even with a simple saute you can get a nice crunch.

Sara6 years ago

This is a perfect way to prep the soft shelled crabs, but I prefer to pan-fry them in 1/4 inch of clarified butter instead of deep frying. Delicious!

yasminny6 years ago

I also only sautéed the crabs and they were delicious. I added a little spicy paprika to the buttermilk and is was great. Served atop baby arugula salad dressed with lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper. Side of wild rice pilaf! Voila. Dinner.

corleoja.4 years ago

Wow!!! Melissa Clark does it again !!!! Delicious with the cornmeal.

Es5 years ago

OMG. This was good. I too used some Old Bay seasoning but I don't think it mattered. We used canola oil. It does sputter so be careful. Too bad soft shells are so expensive (I paid $10 apiece and we ate 2 each). I served it with orzo with asparagus recipe from NYT and it also had a crunch and lemon. Yum

Franny6 years ago

I have been using this prep for the crabs but add a dash of Old Bay Seasoning in the flour mixture. I also prefer to sautee the crabs in butter and lite olive oil.

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