New England Clam Cakes
New England Clam Cakes are deep-fried, doughy fritters loaded with chopped clams, a beloved seaside snack from coastal New England, particularly Rhode Island and Connecticut. The batter is typically made from flour, eggs, milk, and baking powder, mixed with fresh or canned clams and sometimes onion or parsley. They are traditionally served hot, often with tartar sauce or a squeeze of lemon.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in carbohydrates and fat due to the fried batter, with a moderate amount of protein from the clams. A single serving provides key nutrients like iron and B12 from the clams, with a calorie count typically ranging from 250 to 350 kcal per cake.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 38 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 1.5 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 580 mg |
| Iron | 4.5 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 14.2 mcg |
| Zinc | 3.2 mg |
| Selenium | 28.6 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 155 mg |
| Copper | 0.6 mg |
| Manganese | 0.4 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 2.1 mg |
Per 2 medium clam cakes (approx. 150 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Clam cakes are a quintessential part of New England's summer shore culture, often sold at clam shacks, fairs, and beachside stands. Nutritionally, they offer a unique combination of indulgent fried comfort food with the mineral benefits of clams, which are a surprisingly good source of zinc and selenium.
