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? ›

The ideal temperature for deep-frying fish is between 360 and 380 degrees. When pan-frying your fish, flip the fish only once to maintain a crispy texture. It's also important not to cover the pan-fried fish after cooking it. Generously apply the seasoning in fish recipes.

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 batter fall off when frying fish? ›

If the heat is insufficient the protein will release large amounts of water which will make the coating come loose from the fish. If the heat is excessive the coating will burn before the fish is cooked. Therefore the pan and the fat should be very hot when you start frying, but you can lower the heat as you proceed.

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? ›

In a 3-quart bowl, soak fish in milk for 15-20 minutes. The casein protein in milk binds to the trimethylamine in the fish flesh, reducing the “fishy” odor.

What is done to fish before deep frying? ›

Season the raw seafood, or if desired, season the dusting flour. Lightly dust the seafood with flour to remove excess moisture and to help the coating to stick. Dip the seafood into an egg wash (a mixture of beaten egg and a little milk–water or oil).

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