Air Fryer Steamed Clams

written by Air Fryer Recipes | August 8, 2026

Ingredients

1 pound clams
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup water
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chives
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon parsley

Directions

Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees F (air fryer setting), for 3-5 minutes.

Clean the clams by soaking them in cold water for 20–30 minutes to remove sand. Scrub the shells gently and discard any clams that are open and don’t close when tapped.

Prepare the cooking base by placing butter, minced garlic, water (or white wine), chives, basil, and parsley into an air fryer-safe pan or foil packet.

Place the pan in the air fryer basket or air fryer tray. Set cook time for 3-5 minutes, then check to see if the clams have opened. If needed, cook for an additional 2 minutes until all clams are opened.

Remove from the air fryer. Discard any unopened clams, then spoon the garlic butter sauce over the top. Plate, serve, and enjoy with crusty bread or over pasta!