Are you ready to transform an ordinary fish dinner into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece? Get ready to discover the most mouth-watering, crunchy fish chips that will have your family and friends begging for seconds! This American-style recipe takes simple white fish and turns it into a golden, crispy delight that's impossibly easy to make and guaranteed to impress. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a kitchen newbie, these cornmeal crusted fish chips will become your new go-to comfort food that's both delicious and surprisingly simple to prepare.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb white fish fillets
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 lb of white fish fillets, 1 cup of cornmeal, 1/2 cup of flour, 1 tsp of paprika, 1 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of black pepper, and oil for frying.
- Prepare your workspace by ensuring you have a clean, flat surface for breading the fish. You will need three shallow dishes: one for the flour mixture, one for the cornmeal, and one for the fish.
- In the first shallow dish, combine the flour, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
- In the second shallow dish, add the cornmeal. This will be used to coat the fish, giving it a crispy texture when fried.
- Rinse the fish fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. This will help the coating adhere better.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan (about 1/4 inch deep). Allow the oil to heat up until it shimmers.
- Take each fish fillet and first dredge it in the flour mixture, ensuring it is well coated. Shake off any excess flour.
- Next, dip the floured fish into the cornmeal, pressing gently to ensure an even coating. Make sure each piece is thoroughly covered with cornmeal.
- Once the oil is hot, carefully place the coated fish fillets into the skillet. Do not overcrowd the pan; you may need to fry in batches.
- Fry the fish for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Use a spatula to flip the fish gently to avoid breaking the fillets.
- Once cooked, transfer the fish chips to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Repeat the frying process with any remaining fish fillets, adding more oil to the pan as necessary.
- Serve the cornmeal crusted fish chips hot with your choice of dipping sauce, such as tartar sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice, and enjoy!
Tips
- Pat your fish fillets completely dry before coating to ensure the breading sticks perfectly and creates an extra crispy crust.
- Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable or canola oil for the best frying results.
- Maintain a consistent oil temperature around 350-375°F for even, golden-brown crusting without burning.
- Don't overcrowd the pan - fry in batches to keep the oil temperature stable and prevent soggy fish.
- For an extra flavor boost, try adding garlic powder or cayenne pepper to your flour mixture for a spicy kick.
- Let the fish rest on paper towels after frying to drain excess oil and keep the crust crispy.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor - these fish chips are best enjoyed hot and fresh!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 407kcal
Carbohydrates: 34g
Protein: 29g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 25mg
