Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Crispy Fish With Dipping Sauce

  • Author: Lana
  • Total Time: 40minutes

Ingredients

Scale

For the Fish:

  • 4 fish fillets (such as cod, haddock, or tilapia), skinless and boneless

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon paprika

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 large egg, beaten

  • 1 cup cold sparkling water or regular water (for a crispier batter, sparkling water is ideal)

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Dipping Sauce:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon honey

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for a smoky flavor)

  • Pinch of salt and pepper to taste

  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Ingredient Highlights

  • Fish Fillets: Fresh, firm white fish like cod or tilapia work best for this recipe, as they hold their shape well when fried and have a mild flavor that pairs well with the dipping sauce.

  • Flour and Seasonings: The flour and seasonings create a crispy coating that enhances the fish’s flavor, making it golden and crunchy without overpowering its delicate taste.

  • Sparkling Water: Using sparkling water in the batter makes it lighter and crispier, giving the fish an airy, crunchy texture that everyone loves.

  • Dipping Sauce: The creamy, tangy dipping sauce is the perfect complement to the crispy fish. It provides a creamy texture and adds brightness with its citrusy lemon juice.

Instructions

Prepare the Fish and Dipping Sauce:

  1. Make the Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, smoked paprika (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more lemon juice or honey as needed. Set the sauce aside to allow the flavors to meld together.

  2. Prepare the Fish Fillets: Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This helps the batter stick to the fish and ensures a crispy coating.

Make the Batter for the Fish:

  1. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

  2. Add the Wet Ingredients: Add the beaten egg and slowly pour in the sparkling water (or regular water if you prefer). Stir gently to combine, ensuring that the batter is smooth and lump-free. The batter should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick, add a little more water to reach the desired consistency.

Fry the Fish:

  1. Heat the Oil: Pour enough vegetable oil into a large frying pan to cover the bottom with about 1/4 inch of oil. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it’s hot but not smoking. You can test if the oil is hot enough by dropping a small amount of batter into the oil—if it sizzles immediately, it’s ready.

  2. Coat the Fish: Dip each fish fillet into the batter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let any excess batter drip off before carefully placing the fillet into the hot oil.

  3. Fry the Fish: Fry the fish fillets for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan—fry the fillets in batches if necessary.

  4. Drain Excess Oil: Once the fish is cooked, remove it from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Repeat with the remaining fillets.

Serve the Fish:

 

  1. Serve with Dipping Sauce: Arrange the crispy fish fillets on a serving platter. Drizzle the dipping sauce over the fish or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and extra flavor, if desired.

  • Prep Time: 15minutes
  • Cook Time: 25minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 400
  • Fat: 15g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Protein: 25g

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Find it online: https://iheartcooks.com/crispy-fish-with-dipping-sauce/