This recipe for Fried Soft Shell Crabs is a relatively easy recipe. The deep fried crabs come out of the fryer crispy and full of flavor.
If you love soft shell crabs you should try cooking this delicious recipe.
If you have ever purchased Fried Soft Shell Crabs while dining out at a restaurant you know, they can be a bit pricey.
I find it cheaper to buy the soft shell crabs from a seafood market and cook them myself at home.
Also, I can control the amount of seasoning being used in my food by cooking at home.
I find certain seasonings and batters cause me awful migraines, especially premade fish fry with lots of cayenne pepper.
How to Make Fried Soft Shell Crabs
First, you will need to thaw the soft shell crabs if they’re frozen.
Next, use my tutorial How to Clean Soft Shell Crabs if you don’t know how to clean and prepare them already.
Second, make a milk bath to dip the crabs into using eggs, mustard, and milk.
Third, coat each soft shell crab with a mixture using flour and your favorite fish fry. We used Slap Ya Mama Fish Fry.
Next, dip each crab back into the milk bath then coat each crab again with the flour mixture.
The next steps are very important this is how to fry soft shell crabs correctly!
Fourth- heat oil in a deep fryer like this deep fryer until it reaches 350 degrees. Make sure the oil is hot are your crabs will turn out soggy.
Place the crab legs first into the oil to make sure the oil is hot enough before submerging the entire crab.
The oil should bubble and sizzle when the legs touch the oil.
Note- you can make Pan Fried Soft Shell Crabs if you don’t have a deep fryer by frying your crabs in a little oil in a skillet.
Lastly, fry each crab for about 2-3 minutes or until they’re golden brown and crispy.
Then place the crabs on a wire rack until you’re ready to plate and eat them. And yes, you eat the entire soft shell crab.
Serve the Fried Crabs with fries, fried okra, and coleslaw like my Homemade Creamy Coleslaw recipe or my Cajun Red Potatoes.
And, if you’re feeling a bit adventurous try my Fried Soft Shell Crabs With Crawfish Sauce.
Additionally, these recipes are perfect to serve anytime of the year especially during Mardi Gras and Lenten season.
Now you know how to deep Fry Soft Shell Crabs!
more seafood recipes for you
- Crab Balls
- Crawfish Boil recipe
- Cajun Shrimp Maque Choux
- Jacked Up Cajun Shrimp
- Shrimp Stuffed Potatoes
- Shrimp Stuffed Mirlitons
- Cajun Spicy Shrimp with Rice
- Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip
- Shrimp Balls
- Crawfish Balls
Fried Soft Shell Crabs
Fried Soft Shell Crabs are flavorful and fried to a golden brown crispy perfection.
Ingredients
- 4 soft shell crabs, thawed and cleaned
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup Slap Ya Mama Fish Fry (or your favorite)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 5 cups oil for frying, or more
Instructions
- Thaw and clean soft shell crabs.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees.
- Make a milk bath with the milk, mustard, and eggs. Whisk together in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl mix together the flour and Slap Ya Mama Fish Fry or your favorite fish fry.
- Coat the crabs in the flour mixture, dip the crabs in the milk bath, then back into the flour mixture again.
- Place crabs one at a time legs first into the oil. Cook each crab 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
- Carefully remove and place crabs on a wire rack or cookie sheet lined with paper towels. Using a wire rack keeps the crabs crisper than using paper towels.
Notes
Note- the nutritional label below does not include the 5 cups of oil used for frying the soft shell crabs.
* See my tutorial on How to Clean Soft Shell Crabs.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 2789Total Fat: 287gSaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 254gCholesterol: 194mgSodium: 583mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 27g
For more about our Nutritional Disclaimer: https://www.thisolemom.com/nutritional-disclaimer/
PIN Soft Shell Crabs
KMLWPA says
What kind of mustard goes in the egg wash? Powdered, like Coleman’s? Prepared yellow? Dijon?
Kim Seghers says
Hello, we used mustard in the bottle (squeeze kind) such as French’s Classic yellow mustard or Heinz yellow mustard. I never heard of Colman’s before but, I looked it up. You can use that mustard too. Hope I answered your question.
Kim Seghers says
Hi Chad! If you make this soft shell crab recipe please let me know how you like it!! Have a great weekend, Kim
Windy says
I’ve never had fried shoft shell crab, Looks good
Kim Seghers says
Thank you Windy! It’s really good and easy to make! Have a great weekend, Kim
kumamonjeng says
You are right soft shell crabs in the Japanese restaurant that I dine in here cost quite expensive. Glad to learn about the recipe here and it is not that hard to make. First, I need to find the soft shell crab in the supermarket.
Kim Seghers says
Hi! I hope you can find the soft shell crabs in the market so you can make this recipe! Best of luck, Kim
Sara Welch says
I love seafood; and crab is no exception! I’ll have to try this one day.
Kim Seghers says
Hi Sara! It’s a really easy recipe. Hope you get to try it! Kim
Candace Moczarski says
Thanks for sharing I would of never thought to make soft shell crab at home, I will make this at home now
Kim Seghers says
Hi Candace! It’s really easy to cook soft shell crab. Especially once you know how to clean the soft shell crabs. Hope you get to try the recipe, Kim
Chelle Dizon says
We absolutely love to eat seafood. I prefer shrimp but my partner’s favorite is crabs. I will definitely try this recipe at home!
Kim Seghers says
Hi Chelle! I love shrimp too! You should check out my Shrimp recipes. I hope your partner gets to try this crab recipe! Have a great weekend, Kim