How To Make Fried Fish

The first step in making fried fish is deciding which type of fish you want to deep fry. There are many different types of fish to choose from. We recommend Flounder, North Atlantic Whiting, Cod, Pollock, Bream, Catfish, Tilapia, or Striped Bass.

Saltwater fish naturally seem to have a bit more flavor than freshwater fish. However, you can use whatever type of fish is your favorite. Try to use boneless fillets when possible. The technique for frying whole fish is the same, though.

Frying Fish Recipe

The first step in making this fried fish recipe is to get your fillets cut into 1/4 pound pieces. Smaller pieces cook more quickly and evenly than larger pieces. You want the fillets to be about the same size so that they finish cooking around the same time. Generally, 4 to 6 ounces is how much fish person for fried fish.

Next, you must prepare an egg wash to coat the fish to help the seafood breader adhere to the fillets. After coating the fillets in the seafood breader they are to be deep fried.

Use one egg for each cup of milk for the egg wash. Also, mix one cup of Old Bay Seasoning for each cup of seafood breader. Another seasoning you can add to the breader is Seasoned Salt. Add one tablespoon of season salt to each cup of breader. The combination of Old Bay and Seasoned Salt is popular in Southern fried fish recipes.

Best Oil for Fried Fish

The best oil for fried fish is vegetable oil or Canola oil. These types of oils usually are the most affordable and are high-quality also. Most restaurants use the types of oils in their deep fryers deep frying fish.

Peanut oil is also great for deep frying, but some people are allergic to peanuts, so keep in mind who is going to eat your fried fish. Peanut Oil and Olive Oil are generally more expensive to use.

It is always best to eat your fillets as soon a possible after removing them from the fryer. This way the the fillets are still warm and firm when they are being eaten.

A standard serving size for is between a quarter pound and a half pound per person.

Please note that seafood breader is similar to flour. Seafood batter is more like pancake batter.

Make Our easy and delicious Shrimp and Grits recipe.

Oil Temperature For Frying Fish

What is the proper temperature for the oil to fry fish? The oil temperature for deep frying fish should be between 350 and 375 degrees. Do not let the oil temperature get above 400 degrees. Oil over 400 degrees can become a fire hazard. When most types of oil get close to 400 degrees, it will start to smoke.

It will take the fish fillets about two minutes to cook. Most fried seafood will start to float when it has finished cooking. Once the fish starts to float near the top of the oil, give it another 30 seconds to cook.

Also, once the fish has finished frying, remove it from the oil with a set of tongs or a slotted spoon. Place the fillets on a plate covered with a paper towel or napkin. This will allow the excess oil to drain from the fried fish.

Sides For Fried Fish

The best sides for fried fish are Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, and Hush Puppies. Tartar Sauce and Cocktail Sauce are the most popular condiments to serve. Also, try squeezing a little lemon juice from a fresh lemon wedge on the fillets.

Air-fried fish is not the same as deep frying in oil. Air frying is closer to baking than frying. Most seafood cooked in an air fryer will need to be already breaded and cooked. So, you are just warming the food up to temperature. Also, you can not put fish through egg wash and breader and cook it in an air fryer the same way you would deep frying.

Also, check out how to Deep Fry Shrimp, Recipes for a Shrimp Boil, Blackened Mahi Mahi, and How to make a keto-friendly Shrimp Boil.