Fried Clam Strips Recipe (Friendly's Copycat)

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The perfect entree needs to be simple but tasty enough to excite you for the next course. What better way to start off dinner than with a plate of fried clam strips? Our recipe for fried clams undeniably tastes just like Friendly’s scrumptious platter. We’ve got it all right, down to its crunchy batter and golden brown color. We’ll teach you how to make this tasty finger food in less than an hour.

In this fried clam strips recipe, we’ll be coating clam strips in a tasty batter and deep-frying them in batches. This yummy fried seafood works perfectly with different sauces, but we definitely recommend pairing it with our healthy horseradish sauce.

What’s in Friendly’s Clam Strips Platter

Let’s not forget to pay homage to the restaurant that inspired this recipe. Friendly’s fried clam strips platter is one of their best-selling entrees. It gets even better when paired with an equally delicious mound of potato fries and their signature tartar sauce. The tanginess from the tartar sauce is there to balance out the taste of the dish. Friendly’s clam strips come in a huge platter that’s perfect for sharing. We adore this platter so much that we’ve made a copycat recipe just for you.

What Pairs Well With Fried Clam Strips

It’s no secret that Friendly’s clam strips are served with crispy but soft on the inside potato fries. We have a copycat recipe for Steak and Shake’s French Fries that works well with that. But it’s not only fries that go well with these fried clam strips. You can also pair it up with Bubba Gump’s fried shrimp. Now those sound like perfect starters for your big meal!

You can’t go wrong with a batch of fried clam strips. You can serve them as entrees for lunch and dinner or as crunchy snacks. Try out our easy fried clam strips recipe with your favorite dipping sauces and sides today!

How To Make Fried Clam Strips (Friendly’s Copycat)

Get a taste of Friendly’s crunchy fried clam strips with this copycat recipe for the perfect snack or appetizer! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces and sides.

Prep: 25 mins

Cook: 10 mins

Total: 35 mins

Serves:

Ingredients

Vegetable oil, for frying
2 lb clam strips
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup cornstarch
½ cup cornmeal
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp curry powder
½ tsp celery salt
½ tsp cayenne
½ tsp salt

Instructions

Start by heating the canola oil in a pot over moderate heat until it reaches 380 degrees F.
While the oil is being heated, rinse and drain the clam strips in a colander.
Stir the clam strips together with buttermilk in a large bowl.
Drain the clam strips well in a colander. Let them set over a bowl for at least 5 minutes.
In another bowl stir together the cornstarch, cornmeal, flour, curry powder, celery salt, cayenne, and salt.
Dredge a handful of drained clams in the flour mixture then shake in a large sieve to remove excess flour.
Transfer the clams one by one in a baking sheet and then shake them again to remove any excess flour mixture.
Fry the coated clams until they're crisp and golden for about 1 ½ minutes. Then, transfer them onto some paper towels with a slotted spoon for draining. Afterward, sprinkle them with salt to taste.
Serve with some potato fries and your desired dipping sauce, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Always return the oil to 380 degrees F between batches to properly cook the strips.
The perfect contrast to balance out the flavors of your clam strips is a sour, vinegar-like dip. Try it with the aforementioned tartar sauce or our balsamic vinegar bbq sauce.

Nutrition

Sugar: 2g
:
Calcium: 44mg
Calories: 153kcal
Carbohydrates: 28g
Cholesterol: 8mg
Fat: 2g
Fiber: 1g
Iron: 1mg
Monounsaturated Fat: 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Potassium: 93mg
Protein: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Sodium: 427mg
Trans Fat: 1g
Vitamin A: 155IU
Vitamin C: 1mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

Have you tried making these Fried Clam Strips at home? Share your experience and any tips you may have in the Recipe Sharing forum!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are fried clam strips made of?

Clam strips are often made from large surf clams commonly known as the Atlantic Surf Clam. You can easily buy them already cut in strips at the grocery or fresh at the farmer’s market. If you’re buying whole clams, remember that for this recipe you’d only be needing the clam strip, which is the loose hanging piece under its belly.

Can I air-fry my clam strips instead?

Yes, you can easily make air fryer clam strips if you wish to cook them in less oil. To do this, place your battered clam strips in the air fryer basket. Cook them for 5 to 6 minutes. Now to cook them evenly, take them out every 2 minutes, and shake the basket halfway through to make sure they turn crispy and golden brown.

Are fried clam strips good for you?

Fried clams are a good source of protein. They also contain a good amount of vitamins and Omega-3 fatty acids and promote sexual health. So we can definitely say that this tasty appetizer is a great addition to your diet.

How do I reheat my leftover fried clams?

The best way to reheat fried clam strips is in the oven at 350 degrees F. Place them on a broiler pan and reheat them for 10 to 15 minutes. This also helps in draining the excess oil from your fried dish. You can also reheat fried clams in the air fryer by cooking them at 350 to 400 degrees F for 3 to 4 minutes, checking them every 1 to 2 minutes until they’re warm and crispy. Doing so helps avoid overcooking the seafood and ensures a yummy crispy coating.

Conclusion

This unique and tasty take on fried clam strips will surely have you making them more than once. They’re well-seasoned and perfectly bite-sized like fries for your snacking or entree. Try them out with your favorite dipping sauce and taste the difference!