Fried Clam Strips Recipe (Friendly's Copycat) - Recipes.net (2024)

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!

Fried Clam Strips Recipe (Friendly's Copycat) - Recipes.net (1)

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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
  • cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • ½ tsp celery salt
  • ½ tsp cayenne
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Start by heating the canola oil in a pot over moderate heat until it reaches 380 degrees F.

  2. While the oil is being heated, rinse and drain the clam strips in a colander.

  3. Stir the clam strips together with buttermilk in a large bowl.

  4. Drain the clam strips well in a colander. Let them set over a bowl for at least 5 minutes.

  5. In another bowl stir together the cornstarch, cornmeal, flour, curry powder, celery salt, cayenne, and salt.

  6. Dredge a handful of drained clams in the flour mixture then shake in a large sieve to remove excess flour.

  7. Transfer the clams one by one in a baking sheet and then shake them again to remove any excess flour mixture.

  8. 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.

  9. 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

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.

Fried Clam Strips Recipe (Friendly's Copycat) - Recipes.net (3)

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!

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Fried Clam Strips Recipe (Friendly's Copycat) - Recipes.net (2024)

FAQs

What are fried clam strips made of? ›

The clams are dipped in evaporated milk, then coated with some combination of regular, corn, and pastry flour. The coated clams are fried in canola oil, soybean oil, or lard.

What is the difference between clams and clam strips? ›

One of the main differences between fried clam strips and fried clam bellies is the texture. Fried clam bellies are more tender and succulent than strips, which are typically firmer and chewier. This makes fried clam bellies a popular choice for people who prefer a more luxurious and satisfying seafood experience.

Which part of the surf clam is typically used to make breaded clam strips? ›

The "tongue" or foot of the clam is commercially valuable because it is cut into long strips which are breaded and fried and served as clam strips, first popularized by the Howard Johnson's franchise.

How unhealthy are fried clams? ›

Clams, fried, coated contains 339 calories per 150 g serving. This serving contains 17 g of fat, 24 g of protein and 20 g of carbohydrate. The latter is 1.4 g sugar and 0.9 g of dietary fiber, the rest is complex carbohydrate. Clams, fried, coated contains 2.8 g of saturated fat and 95 mg of cholesterol per serving.

Why are fried clams so expensive? ›

The prices are rising due to factors such as interest in local food during the pandemic and a limited supply of the clams on the market, said Brian Beal, a professor of marine ecology at the University of Maine at Machias whose research focuses on shellfish.

What is the black stuff in clams? ›

Clams are filter feeders. The reason they have sand and grit in them is because they live buried in sand or mud. This proximity to grit naturally gets the stuff into the clams, which filter with their shells partially open — which is how the sand or mud gets in.

Which clams taste best? ›

Littleneck clams are the smallest and sweetest available, great raw on the half shell or steamed. Topneck clams can also be eaten raw, and these are my favorite size for baked clams. Cherrystone clams are usually not eaten raw, they're not tough really, just too much of a mouthful for most people.

What clams are not edible? ›

Not usually considered edible: Nut clams or pointed nut clams, family Nuculidae. Duck clams or trough shells, family Mactridae. Marsh clams, family Corbiculidae.

What do you eat clam strips with? ›

Sprinkle the clams with salt and pepper and transfer to a platter. Serve with the Tartar and co*cktail sauces and lemon wedges.

What's the difference between fried clams and fried clam strips? ›

Well, many people claim that whole-bellied clams have a better flavor, textures, and taste overall. The most common issue that most people have with clam strips is the rubbery texture. But if you don't enjoy an intense ocean flavor, sticking with clam strips might be the best option!

Why are my fried clams chewy? ›

Clams have a tendency to be chewy no matter how expertly they're cooked, and submerging them completely in hot fat would minimize the cooking time, thereby lessening any chance they'd get tough. Cutting the clams into strips would further ensure tenderness.

What are clam cakes made of? ›

Each clam cake is a deep-fried ball-shaped mixture containing chopped clam (usually quahog) combined with various other ingredients to give it a firm, hushpuppy-like consistency once fried. The batter is made from flour, milk, clam juice, eggs and a leavening agent, typically baking powder.

What is clam meat made of? ›

14.4. It consists of residual meat (body), belly and viscera remaining after collection of clam juice and meat. The CPB contains 17.13% solid of which 63.7% (or 10.9% on a total CPB weight) is protein.

What's the difference between fried clams and fried oysters? ›

In most cases, clams and oysters cannot directly substitute for one another in recipes. The different flavor profiles and textures mean swapping clams for oysters or vice versa will change the dish. Oysters tend to be saltier and chewier than the sweeter, more tender clams.

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