These briny Baked Oysters are super delicious! The easy to prepare appetizer features oysters on the half shell, Parmesan and cheddar cheeses, creole seasoning, and parsley. This is one of the best oyster recipes.

Baked oysters with cheddar and parmesan and creole seasoning.

how to bake oysters in the shell

These salty and cheesy baked oysters are a simple yet elegant appetizer. I like to serve them along side my other favorite nibbles of antipasto skewers, mini blt crab cake sandwiches and these retro deviled eggs.

With just 5 ingredients ~ shucked oysters on the half shell, Parmesan and cheddar cheeses, creole seasoning and fresh parsley ~ they're perfect for a lazy afternoon snack or an elegant New Year's Eve appetizer just like my Oysters Rockefeller recipe.

If those early quarantine days had any bright spots, it was all of the good cooking that was happening in my kitchen, and the quality time spent with family. This is now on of my go-to methods on how to cook oysters.

shucked oysters, shredded Parmesan and cheddar cheese

gather a few ingredients for baked oysters

Just a few ingredients to gather together to make this delicious briny, cheesy appetizer with a kick of spiciness from creole seasoning ~~

oysters
creole seasoning
Parmesan cheese
cheddar cheese
fresh parsley

how to shuck oysters

Shucking oysters can be intimidating. But just follow these easy steps and you will be a pro in no time.

If you want to skip the shucking, pick up already shuck oysters at well stocked seafood counters or order them online. And cleaned and ready to use oyster half shells or these super fun stainless steel oyster shells are available too.

Purchase fresh oysters and give the shells a good rinse in cold water. This will remove any sand and loose shell pieces.
Grab a shucking knife and a dish towel. Place the towel on a work surface. Place an oyster flat side up on the towel. Fold the towel over half of the shell and place your hand on top of the towel. Or get a pair of oyster shucking gloves and skip the towel.
Place the tip of the knife into the hinge of the oyster at the narrow end where the 2 shells meet.
Twist the knife back and forth until it slides into the hinge. With a little force, pop the hinge.
Run the knife along the top inside of the flat shell to cut the muscle. Remove the top shell.
Run the knife under the oyster to release it from the bottom shell. Don't spill any of the delicious oyster juice also known as the liquor.
Now the shucked oysters are ready to use in this delicious baked oyster recipe.

chef cooking tips for making baked oysters in the oven

This baked oyster recipe comes together quickly. Here are a few cooking tips:

Use a large rimmed baking sheet to hold the oysters on the half shell. Crinkle up a large sheet of foil (it should be about 1 ½ times as large as the baking sheet) and place it in the baking sheet. The foil will hold the oysters in place so they don't lose any of their delicious juices aka "the liquor."
Make sure to freshly shred the cheeses either by hand or with a food processor. Pre shredded cheese has a coating of an anti clumping ingredient that inhibits the meltability of the cheese.
Finely shred the cheeses. Only a small amount is needed for each oyster so the cheese should not overpower the flavor of the oysters.
The baked oysters are ready when the cheese is melted and golden brown.

baking sheet with baked oysters with cheese

what goes with baked oysters

These salty cheesy oysters are delicious on their own. But feel free to a squeeze of lemon, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, prepared horseradish, or vinegary mignonette.

To make a meal out of baked oysters, add these Parmesan Buttered Noodles and your favorite vegetable like roasted asparagus or broccoli.