Deep-Fried Spicy Rattlesnake Recipe

Now that you have your rattlesnake skinned and prepped for the table, what should you do with it? The answer is just about any recipe that works with frog legs, snapping turtle, or even chicken. But my favorite cooking method is also one of the easiest, deep fried.

There is something about deep fried food that welcomes everyone to give it a try, even if its something they haven't tried before. Like rattlesnake.

For the coating, we mix corn meal, all-purpose flour, and one of my favorites, Everglades Heat for a bit of spice. For some reason, I feel like rattlesnake is best with a little bite to it, and the Everglades Heat is the perfect blend of seasoning and spice. I sprinkle it in liberally and mix it into the flour and meal before coating the snake.

Heat the oil to 350 degrees. Mix the corn meal, flour, and Everglades Heat in a large bowl. Toss the snake sections to coat evenly with the dredge. Gently lower the rattlesnake into the hot oil, a few pieces at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.

Fry for 8 to 10 minutes, until the exterior is golden brown and crunchy, and the thickest part reads 165-degrees internal temperature. Serve with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce. The best way to eat rattlesnake is to peel away the "backstraps" along either side of the backbone. These meaty sections will come off bone-free. After that, use your thumb or fingers to push the remaining meat down and away from the rib bones.