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Fried Alligator Bites

Crispy seasoned bite-sized pieces of tender alligator tail meat soaked in spicy buttermilk and deep fried until golden brown.

25 minMediumServes 4420 cal/serving

CajunAppetizerStovetopStandardHigh ProteinNut-FreeShellfish-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeSesame-Free

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb alligator tail meat, cubed
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1.5 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 3 cups vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a bowl, combine 1 cup buttermilk, 1 tbsp hot sauce, and 1 lb cubed alligator tail meat, then soak for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

  2. 2

    In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal, and 1.5 tbsp Cajun seasoning.

  3. 3

    Heat 3 cups vegetable oil in a deep pot or heavy skillet to 350°F.

  4. 4

    Remove alligator from the liquid, dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture, and shake off any excess.

  5. 5

    Fry alligator pieces in batches for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 160°F.

  6. 6

    Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain before serving hot.

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Questions

How much time should I plan for Fried Alligator Bites?

As written, 25 minutes: 15 of prep and 10 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 1, 30 minutes. That wait sits outside the stated prep and cook times, so plan around it.

How hot should the oil be for Fried Alligator Bites?

For Fried Alligator Bites, the frying oil is held at 350 F (about 175 C) in step 3. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy. The target internal temperature is 160 F (about 70 C), given in step 5. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Is there a substitute for buttermilk in Fried Alligator Bites?

The entry for Fried Alligator Bites calls for 1 cup buttermilk. In its place: Stir a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar into a cup of milk and let it stand five minutes. Plain yogurt thinned with milk also works.

Can I make Fried Alligator Bites less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Fried Alligator Bites comes from 1 tbsp hot sauce. For a milder plate, start with half the hot sauce and add more to taste at the end; nothing else in the method changes.

Can I make Fried Alligator Bites gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Fried Alligator Bites is 1 cup all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

Can I freeze Fried Alligator Bites?

It is not a good candidate. Refrigerate what is left of Fried Alligator Bites within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it.

Serve it with

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