A Spicy Perspective

Bahamian Conch Fritters

Bahamian Conch Fritters – An authentic Caribbean recipe for crispy and flavorful fritters made with fresh conch meat. Conch fritters are easy to fry at home and perfect to serve with your favorite dipping sauces as a snack or appetizer!

conch fritters with dipping sauce

We love traveling to the Bahamas for relaxing fun in the sun. Along with enjoying the beaches, one of our favorite things about visiting the Caribbean is the incredible food!

And the snack that we absolutely just can’t get enough of are slightly crunchy, amazingly flavorful deep-fried Conch Fritters. Whenever we see them offered on a Bahamian menu we have to order a plate and try their version.

Although we get our fill on the islands, when we get back home the desire for tasty little crispy fritters comes back strong. So it was definitely time to create an authentic Conch Fritters recipe that can be made at the house when the craving hits!

up close view of fritter bite

Bahamian Conch Fritters

Even if you’ve never tried Conch Fritters before, the concept is probably familiar… The tasty, tender fried fritters are similar in size to hush puppies with a consistency that is like a soft luxurious crab cake. But instead of being made with a simple corn batter, they are filled with a delicious blend of chopped fresh conch, peppers, and vibrant spices.

Pro Tip: If you are ordering conch to make conch salad, buy another pound to make these irresistible seafood fritters!

Homemade Caribbean-style Conch Fritters are surprisingly easy to make; we even use a food processor for super quick prep. After all of the ingredients are minced together, flavorful beer is mixed in to create a rich batter that’s then scooped and deep-fried in oil. The result is a plateful of fritters that are ultra moist and zesty on the inside, and wonderfully crispy on the outside.

Make a batch of Conch Fritters and serve with your favorite seafood sauces to dip. They’re great as a hearty snack or party appetizer that will make you and your guests (almost) feel like you’re on an island vacation!

overhead view of plate with conch fritters and dipping sauce

Ingredients You Need

Fresh conch meat can be a bit difficult to source, and I, therefore, recommend that you purchase it online and have it overnighted if not available locally. All of the other ingredients, however, are basic pantry staples that can easily be found at most grocery stores.

To make the best authentic Conch Fritters recipe you need:

  • Conch meatsteaks or tenderized
  • Veggiesseeded and chopped bell pepper, onion, and celery (also known as the Trinity in southern cooking)
  • Habanero pepperseeded
  • All-purpose flourthe binder for the fritters
  • Baking powdergives the Conch Fritters a lighter consistency and not too dense
  • Seasoningsdried thyme, salt, black pepper, paprika
  • Mexican beeror other light beer, or club soda
  • Fry oilvegetable or peanut are best
conch meat in a food processor

How to Make Conch Fritters from Scratch

This recipe uses a deep frying method that requires a large, deep pot. It is also best to make with the help of a high-heat thermometer, like a candy thermometer, so that you get the oil to just the right temperature.

To make Conch Fritters, first set a large 6-8 quart saucepot over medium heat on the stovetop. Attach the cooking thermometer to the side and add the oil to the pot. Bring the temperature to 360 degrees F.

Meanwhile, set out a food processor. Cut the conch meat into large chunks, and pulse in the processor for a moment or two to chop into small pieces. Then add the seeded and roughly chopped bell pepper, chopped onion, chopped celery, and seeded habanero pepper.

adding celery and peppers to the food processor

Pulse to chop the conch and veggies into fine pieces.

chopped filling to make the fried conch fritters recipe

Next, set out a mixing bowl and add the conch mixture. Stir in the flour, baking powder, thyme, salt, pepper, and paprika.

adding spice to make conch fritters recipe

Mix the ingredients well.

Finally, mix in the beer (or club soda) to create a dense batter. The consistency should be similar to a hushpuppy or small crab cake mixture.

Get the Complete (Printable) Bahamian Conch Fritters Recipe Below. Enjoy!

adding beer to make the fritter batter

Once the oil is hot, use a 1 ½ tablespoon scoop (or a standard ice cream scoop) to portion the batter into balls. Gently and carefully drop the balls into the hot oil.

scooping the batter into hot oil for frying

Scoop and fry 8-10 fritters at a time, for approximately 4-5 minutes each. You can use a spoon to gently move them if they start touching, but otherwise, they should fry undisturbed.

When done the fritters should be a deep golden-brown, but not burnt.

Set out a paper towel-lined plate to drain the fried Conch Fritters. Once the first batch is ready, use a skimmer to move them to the plate.

removed fried fritter from the hot oil with a slotted spoon

Cut one open to make sure it is cooked through, but still moist and slightly spongey. On the inside, it should look similar to the picture below…

close up bite of fried conch fritter

Repeat the scooping and frying process with the remaining batter. You’ll likely need to work in a total of 4-5 batches.

plate of fried seafood balls with remoulade

When all of the Conch Fritters have been fried, serve warm with your preferred sauce and/or sides.

side view of plate with conch fritters and dipping sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I serve with Conch Fritters?

These crispy snacks go well with several condiments. Serve Conch Fritters with homemade Remoulade Sauce, Tartar Sauce, Cocktail Sauce, or your favorite seafood sauce!

How long do Conch Fritters keep well?

They are definitely best when enjoyed right away straight out of the fry oil. But you can store them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for a day or so. Reheat them in the oven, deep fryer, or air fryer for a few minutes until warm and crispy again.

How can I make this a gluten-free Conch Fritters recipe?

Feel free to use your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make this recipe GF-friendly. But note that if the blend includes baking powder you can skip adding additional flour per the recipe. Also, be sure to use a gluten-free beer, or you can just use club soda.

What other dishes go well with homemade Conch Fritters?

Enjoy crunchy fried fritters with other Caribbean-inspired dishes, like these Caribbean Shrimp Burgers. Or serve alongside simple seafood mains like fresh steamed peeled shrimp or baked or grilled white fish.

dipping a fritter into remoulade sauce

Looking for More Fried Snack and Side Dish Recipes?

conch fritters with sauce
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Bahamian Conch Fritters

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Easy Caribbean recipe to make delicious fried Conch Fritters at home. Enjoy crispy, tender conch fritters with dipping sauces as a snack or appetizer!
Servings: 40 fritters

Ingredients

  • 1 pound conch meat steaks or tenderized
  • 1 green bell pepper seeded and cut into chunks
  • ¾ cup chopped onion
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • 1 habanero pepper seeded
  • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ cup light Mexican beer or club soda
  • 1 quart fry oil

Instructions

  • Set a large 6-8 quart saucepot over medium heat. Attach a cooking thermometer to the side and add the oil to the pot. Bring the temperature to 360 degree F.
  • Meanwhile, set out a food processor. Cut the conch meat into large chunks. Pulse to chop into small pieces. Then add the bell pepper, onion, celery, and habanero. Pulse to chop into fine pieces.
  • Set out a mixing bowl. Add the conch mixture to the bowl. Then stir in the flour, baking powder, thyme, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well. Finally, mix in the beer to create a dense batter.
  • Once the oil is hot, use a 1 ½ tablespoon scoop to portion the batter into balls. Gently drop the balls into the hot oil. Scoop and fry 8-10 fritters at a time, for approximately 4-5 minutes.
  • Set out a paper towel lined plate to drain the dried conch fritters. Once the first batch is ready, use a skimmer to move them to the plate. Cut one open to make sure it is cooked through, but still moist. Repeat with the remaining batter in 4-5 batches. (The fritters should be dark brown, but not burnt.)
  • Serve warm with a side of remoulade or tartar sauce.

Video

Notes

The fritters should be a deep golden-brown, but not burnt looking. They should be very moist inside, but crispy on the outside. If needed, adjust the temperature on the second batch.
Storage Tips: They are definitely best when enjoyed right away freshly deep fried. But you can store them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for a day or so. Reheat them in the oven, deep fryer or air fryer for a few minutes until warm and crispy again.

Nutrition

Serving: 1fritter, Calories: 78kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 68mg, Potassium: 75mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 120IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 8mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Bahamian, Caribbean
Author: Sommer Collier

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6 comments on “Bahamian Conch Fritters”

  1. Can you make a big batch of fritter mix and freeze to cook later?? I have 5 pounds of conch, I don’t want to use it all at once, nor all for fritters.. 

  2. We love conch fritters and these are delicious! Thank you!

  3. A great recipe! So soft on the inside with the perfect crunch on the outside!

  4. I never knew that conch meat was something that we could eat, but once I tried this fritter recipe, I ended up loving this more than I thought I would! So delicious! 

  5. These were the absolute best! Love making these at home.