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Golden air fryer stuffed clams (quahogs) served in the shell with lemon wedges

Air Fryer Stuffed Clams (Quahogs)

5 from 1 vote
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Hot, golden air fryer stuffed clams with a crisp buttery topping and tender center — ready in about 10 minutes. Works for grocery-store frozen quahogs or homemade stuffed clams.

Ingredients 

Quick (store-bought frozen):

  • 4 frozen stuffed clams, quahogs

Homemade stuffing (optional, makes about 8 stuffed clams):

  • 8 large quahogs, hard clams, scrubbed
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup celery, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs, or crushed buttery crackers
  • 2 tbsp reserved clam juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp paprika, or Old Bay
  • 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Lemon wedges, to serve

Instructions

To cook frozen stuffed clams:

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for about 3–5 minutes.
  • Arrange the frozen clams in a single layer in the basket, without crowding.
  • Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, until the topping is golden and the center is hot. (Thawed clams: 5–8 minutes. Very solid frozen: add 3–4 minutes.)
  • Serve hot with lemon wedges.

To make homemade stuffed clams:

  • Steam the scrubbed quahogs in a covered pot with a splash of water until the shells open, 5–8 minutes. Reserve the liquid; discard any that don't open.
  • Remove and finely chop the clam meat. Clean and keep the deeper half shells.
  • Melt the butter and sauté onion, celery, and garlic until soft, 3–4 minutes. Off the heat, stir in breadcrumbs, chopped clams, parsley, reserved clam juice, paprika, salt, and pepper until the mixture just holds together.
  • Mound the stuffing into the reserved shells and dot the tops with a little extra butter.
  • Air fry at 370°F for 8–10 minutes, until golden and crisp. Serve with lemon.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer, Air Fryer Basket or Air Fryer Oven
  • Cooking Spray, or Parchment Paper

Notes

  • From frozen: no need to thaw — just add a few minutes of cook time.
  • Reheating leftovers: 350°F for 3–5 minutes.
  • Don't crowd the basket so the tops crisp evenly.
  • Nutrition below is an estimate for the homemade version and will vary by brand and portion size.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 5gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 617mgPotassium: 132mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 603IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 2mg