Seafood·intermediate

Key West Conch Fritters

Name: Key West Conch Fritters (Air Fryer)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Yield: ~16 fritters
Ingredients: 1/2 lb conch meat, finely diced; 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1 large egg; 3 tablespoons milk; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1 stalk celery, finely diced; 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; Juice of half a lime; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; few dashes hot sauce (Crystal or Tabasco); [For dipping] Cocktail sauce or remoulade

Yield

Prep

Total

~16 fritters

15m

23m

dairy-freenut-freeappetizersnackSpray Surface

Classic Turks Caicos Key West See all on food page →

These Key West-style conch fritters are a lighter, milder take on the classic. The batter is heavier, and finely diced celery adds a touch of freshness. Get the full recipe here, including instructions for achieving a perfectly crispy exterior.

Ingredients

1/2 lb conch meat, finely diced
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 stalk celery, finely diced
2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Juice of half a lime
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
few dashes hot sauce (Crystal or Tabasco)

For dipping:

Cocktail sauce or remoulade

Shop key ingredients at Walmart →

Season it upThis variation is self-seasoned

Steps

01Dice the conch very fine.
02Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
03Beat the egg with milk, lime juice, Worcestershire, and hot sauce. Add to dry ingredients. Stir into a thick batter.
04Fold in the conch, celery, onion, and parsley.
05Drop rounded tablespoons onto a plate. Refrigerate 15 minutes.
06Ready for the air fryer.
07Serve with cocktail sauce.

Key West fritters are batter-heavier than the Bahamian version. More batter, milder flavor, served with cocktail sauce instead of a spicy aioli. They're closer to a hush puppy with conch inside than a conch-forward fritter. The Worcestershire adds depth without being identifiable.

people love this variationShare your own version →

How to Air Fry It

Temp

Cook

Prep

Flip?

375°F

15m

Yes

01Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
02Grease the air fryer basket and place the prepared conch fritters inside in a single layer.
03Lightly spray the fritters with cooking oil and season with your chosen spice pack (see below).
04Cook at 375°F for 8 minutes, carefully flipping the fritters halfway through the cooking time.
05Remove the fritters once they develop a crispy, golden brown crust and serve hot.

Lightly spray the basket or tray before cooking.