Video: How to Fry Fish (2024)

When frying any fish or seafood, fresh is always best. My rule of thumb is to eat as much of my fresh fish as possible before I store it and get it in the freezer. It's not that frozen fish is bad; not at all, your fish will just never taste as good as it does right out of the water. Of course, this is a debated topic these days with the rise of popularity in aging fish. I'll stand my ground here and say that when treated well, fresh fish is as good as it's going to get.

Now the methods you can use to fry fish are as abundant as the fish in the sea. My go-to method is a simple, light smear of yellow mustard and hot sauce, which acts as a binder, then go straight into a "breading" of cornflour, cornmeal, and seasoning. I really like this method unless I'm frying soft shell crabs, then I prefer AP flour.

Honestly, the ingredients you prefer for your batter are less important than the grease you fry your fish in. I like peanut oil, but if I had abundant access to rendered hog fat, beef tallow, or bear fat, I'd likely fry my fish in some sort of rendered animal fat.

Next, let's talk about time and temperature. The size and density of the fish you are frying will determine the time and temperature you should fry. Thicker, denser fish like wahoo might need to be fried at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for a longer time. Whole panfish like perch or sac au lait (crappie) may need to be fried at 360 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Shaved catfish, which is popular in Louisiana, works best fried at 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to achieve a crisp chip texture.

Start with a fresh catch that you’ve bled and iced properly, batter it how you like it, use clean, hot grease, and you’ll be in the money. Once that fish is out of the grease and still sizzling, a sprinkle of sea salt and a squeeze of lemon juice goes a long way.

Video: How to Fry Fish (2024)

FAQs

How to fry fish step by step? ›

Dip fish fillets in egg mixture; dip in flour to coat. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add fish; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until golden brown and fish flakes easily with fork, turning once. If desired, season to taste with salt and pepper.

What is the secret to frying fish? ›

Fried Fish Tips

Don't overcrowd the pan with fillets, resist the urge to move the fish around once it's in the oil, and fry it long enough. Also, don't cover the skillet or fryer when frying the fish. That creates steam which will end up in a soggy and greasy coating.

What do I coat my fish with before frying? ›

In a shallow dish, add ½ cup all-purpose flour. In a separate shallow dish, combine 1 beaten egg with 2 tablespoons water or milk. In one more dish or plate, add ⅓ cup panko bread crumbs. Dip fish pieces into the flour, turning to coat all sides, and shake off excess flour.

Should I use flour or cornstarch to fry fish? ›

What Breading Ingredients Make the Crispiest Fried Fish? The base of the breading mixture will be a cup of all-purpose flour and a cup of yellow corn meal. This gives the fried fish the classic gritty breading texture. Corn starch is essential to fish breading.

How many minutes to fry fish in oil? ›

I a 350° deep fryer, the process for breaded fillets usually takes 3–4 minutes, depending on how thick the fillet is. You can tell when deep fried fish is done when the color is opaque. Yes, opaque color. A general rule is to cook a fish for 10 minutes for each inch of thickness.

What is the best oil to fry fish in? ›

Best Oil to Fry Fish. Thanks to its neutral flavor, affordable price, and high smoke point, canola oil is the most popular oil for frying fish. Peanut, cottonseed, and coconut oil are also great fish frying oils.

Why do people soak fish in milk before frying? ›

Apparently, the proteins present in milk can bind to the fatty acids that have been exposed to air and give salmon its fishy odor or taste and mitigate them to be more neutral. (Fishiness is caused by the oxidation of fatty acids.)

Why does the batter fall off my fried fish? ›

If the fish is dropped in the fryer to fast or even just tossed in the fryer the batter will most like disperse or just a little will stick. The secret here is to put in the fish slowly while giving it a little wiggle to get access batter off. This will really give you an amazing coating on the fish!

How do I get batter to stick to fish? ›

Milk: The proteins in milk help the batter adhere to the fish and promote browning. Water: Use very cold water for the crispiest results. Baking powder: Baking powder ensures a light and crispy exterior. Salt: A teaspoon of salt enhances the overall flavor of the fish batter.

Why do you put flour on fish before frying? ›

Tricks of the Trade

Avoid olive oil and butter since they'll burn at the high temperatures required for frying. Don't skip the flour coating since it provides a delicious crispy texture, protects the fish from soaking up too much oil, and also keeps the fillet in one piece.

What is a substitute for cornmeal when frying fish? ›

You get that sexy crispy crust like cornmeal but you'll have more flavor baby!

How long to deep fry fish at 350 degrees? ›

Steps
  1. In shallow dish, mix flour and seasoned salt. In medium bowl, beat eggs and beer with whisk. ...
  2. In electric skillet or deep fryer, heat about 2 inches oil to 350°F. ...
  3. Fry fish in batches in hot oil about 4 minutes, turning once, until golden brown.

Can you mix cornstarch and flour for frying? ›

Frying Perfect Chicken

Cornstarch will make your fried chicken better. A 50-50 split of all-purpose flour and cornstarch in your batter will leave you with an audibly crunchy, beautiful browned exterior. The corn adds a bit of golden color that all-purpose flour can't quite get to.

Do you put fish in milk before frying? ›

Online research had recommended letting the fish soak submerged in milk for around 20 minutes, before rinsing and cooking in your preferred fashion.

Do you season fish before frying? ›

Don't skimp on seasoning.

Season both sides of the fish (since the salt doesn't get absorbed after frying) and drizzle the filet with olive oil (don't be afraid to keep adding more!), continuing to season with salt and pepper along every step of the way.

Does fish float when it's done frying? ›

Subsequently, drop into the fryer at 350°F for six minutes, or until golden brown. Consequently, if cooking in an open basket, fillets will usually float to top of basket when done. Finally, let fish rest for two minutes before serving.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Last Updated:

Views: 6196

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Birthday: 1997-10-17

Address: Suite 835 34136 Adrian Mountains, Floydton, UT 81036

Phone: +3571527672278

Job: Manufacturing Agent

Hobby: Skimboarding, Photography, Roller skating, Knife making, Paintball, Embroidery, Gunsmithing

Introduction: My name is Lakeisha Bayer VM, I am a brainy, kind, enchanting, healthy, lovely, clean, witty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.