Cheesy and Buttery Baked Oysters Recipe
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Jump to RecipeThis cheesy and buttery baked oysters recipe is a fantastic baked appetizer, made with freshly shucked oysters and topped with garlic, butter, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese. A perfect way to enjoy cooked oysters with the most delicious topping.
This easy recipe starts with mixing the butter and breadcrumb topping, opening the oysters, and baking them in the oven until the cheese melts and the oysters are cooked to perfection.
Want more great seafood appetizers? Try our shrimp cocktail with avocado, mango salsa for fish tacos, and our favorite creamy tzatziki shrimp.
If you love oysters, but don’t want to eat them raw, this delicious baked oysters are a fantastic alternative! Similar to clams casino, these tasty baked oysters are shucked, topped with a delicious buttery cracker topping and cheese, and broiled to perfection.
An upscale appetizer, this easy entertaining recipe is simple to prep ahead of time: make the cracker mixture first and store until you are ready to shuck the oysters and bake. And this recipe can easily be doubled (or tripled) for guests. The below recipe makes a dozen oysters, but you can adjust the serving size as needed.
Grab your oyster shucker and let’s get cracking!
Why This Recipe Works
- They are light, buttery, garlicky, and delicious.
- A great way to enjoy cooked oysters.
- A fancy appetizer that guests will love.
- These baked oysters are a fun and new ways to enjoy oysters without eating them raw.
- A definite crowd-pleaser, everyone will enjoy these broiled oysters!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fresh Oysters – we love delicious briny salty oysters! Living in New England, we are a bit spoiled, but you can get fresh oysters at almost any fish store.
- Butter – I met the butter before adding it to the oyster topping. It makes for a delicious
- Garlic – fresh garlic cloves work best for this recipe, they add a wonderful fresh flavor.
- Breadcrumbs – use panko if you can find them, for a light and crunchy texture. Seasoned breadcrumbs would also work.
- Parsley – I love the fresh and herby flavor of parsley on these oysters, it gives each bite a nice refreshing flavor.
- Smoked Paprika
- Parmesan cheese – for a sharp bite of delicious flavor.
- Lemon, optional for serving, but so tasty!
Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!
Additions and Substitutions
- While fresh garlic is best, you could also use jarred minced garlic or garlic powder in a pinch.
- Try different cheeses – gruyere cheese, smoked mozzarella, or Romano cheese would be excellent substitutions for parmesan.
- Add crisp cooked bacon bits for an oysters Rockefeller vibe.
How To Make Baked Oysters
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the shucked oysters on a baking sheet lined with crumpled aluminum foil so they stay upright. Set the oysters aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, and smoked paprika. Stir until evenly combined.
- Spoon a teaspoon of the butter and bread crumb mixture on top of each oyster. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top of each. Repeat until all oysters have been topped.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the parmesan and breadcrumbs are golden brown.
- Remove the oysters from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm with fresh lemon wedges on the side.
Recipe FAQs
Yes you can – if you can’t find good, fresh oysters you could make this with frozen. Just be sure to thaw completely and pat the oysters dry before adding the topping.
Use an oyster knife in one hand, and a kitchen towel to hold the oyster in the other hand. Insert the knife into the oyster hinge, twist the knife gently to pop it open, then slide the knife under the top of the shell to release it. Be careful of your hands while shucking, and if you break a shell the edges can be sharp.
Yes, you can substitute in olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative in the topping mixture.
Expert Tips
Add a splash of white wine or hot sauce to each oyster before topping with the breadcrumbs.
Pair these baked oysters with crusty bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Instead of butter, try using our homemade garlic butter spread with fresh garlic for incredible flavor!
More Modern Seafood Recipes
- Miso Salmon Recipe Without Sake
- Grilled Arctic Char Recipe
- Salmon Orzo Recipe with Spinach and Lemon
- Tuna Salad with Greek Yogurt
- How to Air Fry Salmon with Skin On
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If you made this recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
Cheesy Buttery Baked Oysters
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Oyster Knife
- Ton Foil
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 12 fresh oysters shucked on the half shell
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the shucked oysters on a baking sheet lined with crumpled aluminum foil so they stay upright. Set the oysters aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, and smoked paprika. Stir until evenly combined.
- Spoon a teaspoon of the butter and bread crumb mixture on top of each oyster. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top of each. Repeat until all oysters have been topped.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the parmesan and breadcrumbs are golden brown.
- Remove the oysters from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm with fresh lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
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- While fresh garlic is best, you could also use jarred minced garlic or garlic powder in a pinch.
-
- Try different cheeses – gruyere cheese, smoked mozzarella, or Romano cheese would be excellent substitutions for parmesan.
-
- Add crisp cooked bacon bits for an oysters Rockefeller vibe.
Nutrition
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I loved developing this wonderful baked oysters recipe for you – please rate and reviews below if you try it!