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    Home » Meat and Game

    Classic Fried Frog Legs Recipe

    Published: May 4, 2019 Modified: Feb 22, 2023 by Alan Bergo This post may contain affiliate links 3 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Crispy, crunchy and juicy, this deep fried frog legs recipe was a favorite when I was chef at a French restaurant. It's a classic appetizer perfect for a French or Creole menu.

    fried frog legs on a tray

    What do Frog Legs Taste Like?

    Frog legs taste like chicken, but they have their own special, flavor. They're very juicy and tender. If you like chicken, you'll like frog legs.

    What to Serve with Frog Legs

    For a French meal, serve frog legs with a fresh green salad, dry sauvignon blanc, and a soft cheese and bread. At the restaurant I served mine as an appetizer with lemon wedges and garlic aioli.

    Southern fried frog legs might be served with coleslaw, hushpuppies and braised greens.

    Fried frog legs
    Breaded frog legs.

    Where to Buy Frog Legs

    Most frog legs are sold frozen. I like to buy mine from a local seafood shop, but Most frog legs are sold frozen. I buy mine from a local seafood shop, but you can special order them at many grocery store seafood counters.

    I find frozen frog legs at my local Asian grocer as well, they may be whole, so you can discard the rest of the frog or make soup. Frog legs are popular in Asia, so you might also try recipes for Vietnamese frog legs.

    How to Make it

    The best way to cook frog legs is with flour-egg-flour breading. When you're ready to make fried frog legs, toss the legs in flour, egg, and then flour again. Deep fry at 375 F. You can also shallow fry them.

    breaded frog

    Cooking Frog Legs

    You can fry single legs, or pairs of legs. If you fry pairs, cut the calf on one leg with a knife and stick the other leg through. This will keep the legs together as they fry.

    Fried frog Legs marinated in ramp puree (
    Put a leg through the cut to keep them whole.

    Marinated Frog Legs (French)

    A French Chef taught me to marinate frog legs (grenouille in French) before frying. This is optional, but adds great flavor to the juicy white meat.

    To make the French marinated frog legs recipe, puree the following in a blender.

    • 1 clove of garlic
    • 1 oz of basil
    • 1 oz parsley
    • 8 ounces of oil in a blender

    Wrap the legs in cheesecloth in a dish, then pour the oil over, cover and rest overnight before frying.

    Frog Legs marinated in ramp puree
    Marinating frog legs.

    More French Food

    Morilles a la Creme (Morels with Cream)

    Rabbit Chasseur with Wild Mushrooms

    Fried frog legs
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Classic Fried Frog Legs

    Golden brown, juicy fried frog legs.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: French
    Keyword: Frog, Frog legs, Ramps
    Servings: 6 Servings
    Calories: 322kcal
    Author: Alan Bergo
    Cost: 15

    Equipment

    • 2 Mixing bowls
    • 1 deep fryer or dutch oven

    Ingredients

    • 6 pairs of frog legs thawed
    • 4 cups peanut oil grapeseed, or rice bran oil
    • kosher salt to taste
    • 3 large eggs Beaten with a splash of milk

    Seasoned Flour

    • 2 cups all purpose flour
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt

    Instructions

    • Cut the frog legs in half.
      cut frog legs on a cutting board
    • Heat a deep fryer or cast iron skillet on medium high heat to 375 degrees. Season the frog legs with salt and pepper dip in flour, then beaten egg, then in the flour mixture again.
      dipping frog legs in flour, egg, flour
    • Tap off excess flour then carefully dip the frog legs into the hot oil. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan which can lower the heat.
      deep frying frog legs
    • When the frog legs are golden brown about 3-4 minutes, remove them to a warmed plate lined with a paper towel. Keep them a warm 325 F oven until all the legs are fried.
      golden brown fried frog legs
    • Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and garnish with lemon slices, lemony mayonnaise or aioli, or hot sauce.

    Video

    Notes

    Using Cajun Seasoning 

    You can use 2 Tablespoons of your favorite Cajun seasoning instead of the herbs and spices. 

    Air Fryer Frog Legs 

    Dredge the frog legs, then spray with oil before frying. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4legs | Calories: 322kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 778mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 95IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nicole Bloch

      May 07, 2019 at 12:26 pm

      "not nearly as cool as fried kermit legs" love it...can't stop giggling. Thanks for, as always, a delightful and informative post <3

      Reply
      • Alan Bergo

        May 09, 2019 at 10:24 am

        It's not easy being green. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Paul Brown

      January 04, 2023 at 4:29 am

      5 stars
      I love frog legs. Great idea for using ramp leaves too.

      Reply

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    Chef Alan Bergo

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