Best 7 Alligator Appetizer Recipes

CRISPY FRIED ALLIGATOR BITES

Steps:

• Cut the alligator into 1-2 inch pieces.
• Combine the buttermilk with the hot sauce, then add the alligator. Let it soak for 2-4 hours in the fridge.
• Mix the Cajun seasoning and flour together.
• Heat oil in a Dutch oven or other deep pot to 350F degrees. Oil should be about 3 inches deep.
• Dip the alligator pieces in the flour mixture then gently place them in the oil. Cook for 5-8 minutes, until golden brown on the outside.
• **Cook in 3 batches to ensure each batch fries up crisp and non-greasy.
• Remove and drain on paper towels. Serve with Cajun remoulade sauce or dip in ranch dressing.

FRIED ALLIGATOR NUGGETS

Steps:

• Fill a deep pot halfway full with oil. Heat to 360 degrees F. Coat the alligator meat with the fish batter. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until gator floats in oil. Remove and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve as an appetizer with remoulade sauce, mustard sauce, or cocktail sauce for dipping.

ALLIGATOR FINGERS

Steps:

• Place alligator meat in a medium bowl, and mix with vinegar, salt, and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate about 10 minutes.
• Pour oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over a medium-high flame.
• Add to a large resealable bag the flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Squeeze off excess liquid from meat, and add one handful of meat to the resealable bag. Shake to coat. Remove meat, shake off excess flour, and set on a plate. Repeat with remaining meat.
• When oil is hot, place meat pieces into oil, being careful not to overcrowd. Fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove to paper towels, and serve hot.
• To prepare dipping sauce, mix together in a small bowl the mayonnaise, horseradish, brown mustard, and red wine vinegar.

FRIED ALLIGATOR WITH A GARLIC AIOLI DIPPING SAUCE; MEDITERRANEAN ALLIGATOR WITH A TOMATO AND CAPER SAUCE; ALLIGATOR PICATTA

Steps:

• Combine equal parts of plain bread crumbs and flour in a small bowl. Dip the alligator meat in the flour mixture and set the pieces aside. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the alligator meat to the hot oil and pan-fry until all sides are evenly browned. When the alligator is cooked through, remove the meat with tongs, and drain the excess oil on a paper towel-lined plate. Immediately add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Before serving, squeeze the juice of 1 lemon on top of the fried alligator.
• In a food processor, pulse the garlic, green onion, and white onion until minced and thoroughly combined. Add the egg yolks and lemon juice, and pulse again until blended. Slowly drizzle the oil into through the feeding tube of the processor until the sauce emulsifies. When the sauce is thickened, add salt, pepper, and a couple drops of hot pepper sauce, to taste. Serve as a dipping sauce for the Fried Alligator.
• Combine the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the onion and shallot to the pan, and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic, and then add the alligator meat. Saute the alligator for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the meat begins to brown, flipping the meat when the first side begins browning. Add the tomatoes, parsley, lemon juice, and olives to the pan. Bring to a simmer, and then lower heat to maintain a simmer for 35 to 40 minutes. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
• Pound the alligator with a meat mallet to tenderize. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and then add the olive oil and 4 tablespoons of butter. Add the shallot, and saute for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon so that it doesn't burn. Add the alligator meat to the pan, and saute for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the alligator browns slightly. Add chicken stock and flour, and then cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Lower the heat to medium-low, and add the capers and lemon juice, and then simmer for 15 minutes. Add butter, as needed, to thicken the sauce. Garnish the plate with lemon wedges.

ALLIGATOR FRITTERS

Steps:

• Cook gator in olive oil in a pan until cooked through; chill meat thoroughly.
• Add egg, mustard, scallions, garlic, Garlic Butter, red pepper and baking powder to gator in a mixing bowl. Add the flour a little at a time, adjusting until the mixture is a little looser than that of a meatball (you may not need to add the whole amount). Form into 3-inch ovals.
• Saute in some oil in a skillet until golden, 2 minutes on the first side and 1 minute on the second side.
• Place the butter in a large stand mixer and beat on low speed for 3 minutes. Add chopped garlic, shallots and granulated garlic. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Turn back to low speed and add the wine and lemon juice. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Turn to low speed and add the parsley; beat 30 seconds and turn off mixer.
• Mix together mayo, dill, white pepper, cayenne and lemon juice in a bowl.

GREEN GRAPE APPETIZERS (ALLIGATOR EYES)

Steps:

• 1. Gather your ingredients.
• 2. Put 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese in the palm of your hand. Put 1 grape on top of that. Now carefully bring the cheese up and over the grape...like a cacoon. Put these on a plate, covered with wax paper. Put in the refrigerator, for about 25 minutes.
• 3. Roll the cooled cream cheese grapes in the crushed nuts...completly cover them. Put back in the refrigerator till serving time.
• 4. When ready to serve..... Cut grape in hsalf. Put on a serving plate for your guests to enjoy. ***WARNING...make a couple batches.... I find this recipe serves guests that will not move from this wonderful appetizer! You might need a cattle probe !.....LOL A second thought...A bunch of grapes would look real nice sitting besides the cut on on the same plate for serving!

ALLIGATOR "BITES"

Steps:

• 1. Use a heavy deep skillet, like a cast iron one. Place the stick of butter the onion,and garlic and cook until onions are translucent over medium/high heat.
• 2. Cut alligator into bite-size pieces.Pound slightly with a meat tenderizer. Place the flour, and seasonings in a plastic bag. Add the alligator pieces and shake to coat evenly. Remove from bag and place on a paper plate. Heat the skillet and onions up and add the canola oil. When all the pieces are floured..add the pan is sizziling add the alligator to the pan -right on top of the onions. Fry for 3 minutes then turn over and fry for 4 more minutes until both sides are golden brown.
• 3. When both sides are fried golden place on paper towel to drain... then place on plate and scatter the drained onion and scrapings over the gator.