Southern-Style Gator Bites – Crunchy & Delicious!
This recipe details how to make alligator bites with remoulade sauce. The alligator meat is seasoned, breaded, and fried until golden brown. The remoulade sauce is made with mayonnaise, pickles, paprika, and habanero jam.
Ingredients
For the Alligator Bites
- 1 pound approximately 0.5 kg alligator tail or tenderloins, cubed into bite-sized pieces
- All-purpose flour as needed for coating
- 2-3 eggs beaten
- Breadcrumbs plain or panko
- Mojo seasoning or use a blend of lime, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Canola oil or sunflower oil for frying
For the Remoulade Sauce
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 whole egg
- 375 ml 1.5 cups neutral oil (canola, sunflower, etc.)
- Juice of half a lime
- A splash of red wine vinegar
- 2 pinches of salt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Cornish or dill pickles finely chopped
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp habanero jam or other hot sauce
- Additional tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- Brine from cornish or pickles
Instructions
Prepare the Alligator Meat
- Cube the alligator tail or tenderloins into bite-sized pieces.
- Season with Mojo or your preferred seasoning to ensure the meat is well-coated.
Make the Remoulade Sauce
- In a narrow container, combine egg yolks, a whole egg, and a neutral oil.
- Add lime juice, a splash of vinegar, salt, and Dijon mustard.
- Blend with an immersion blender until creamy and well-emulsified.
- Finely chop cornish or dill pickles and mix them into the mayonnaise.
- Add smoked paprika, habanero jam, an extra tablespoon of Dijon mustard, and pickle brine. Mix well to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary; refrigerate until ready to use.
Set Up the Breading Station
- Prepare plates or shallow bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Add red pepper flakes and a bit of salt to the breadcrumbs for additional flavor.
Bread the Alligator Pieces
- Coat each piece of alligator in flour, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally in breadcrumbs, ensuring each piece is fully covered.
Fry the Alligator Bites
- Heat oil in a pot to 350°F (180°C) using a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.
- Fry the breaded alligator bites in batches for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Ensure oil temperature remains consistent.
- Once cooked, remove from oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Serve
- Plate the fried alligator bites and serve with the homemade remoulade sauce.
- Enjoy your alligator bites with a delicious dipping sauce! Perfect as an appetizer or party snack.