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Crispy Fried Smelt Fish on a paper-lined bowl
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4.21 from 29 votes

Crispy Fried Smelt Fish

Crispy Fried Smelt Fish are seriously addictive! They cook in minutes using simple pantry ingredients yet turn out so crunchy and tasty. Delicious as an appetizer or main dish!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Filipino
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 544kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds small smelt fish
  • ¾ cup flour
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • canola oil

Instructions

  • With your hands, gently pry open the head of the fish and carefully pull the gills along with the entrails. Rinse under cold running water and drain well.
  • In a wide pan over medium heat, heat about 2-inch deep of oil.
  • In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
  • Dredge smelt fish in flour mixture to completely coat, shaking off excess flour
  • Add fish to hot oil and deep-fry for about 3 to 5 minutes or until golden and crisp.
  • Remove from heat and drain in a colander set over a bowl. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Drain the fish well and pat dry with paper towels for the coating to adhere better.
  • For the best crunch, use enough oil to fully submerge the smelt and heat to an optimal temperature of 350 F to 375 F.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan and fry in batches as needed to keep the temperature from plummeting. Heat the oil back to 350 F before adding the next set.
  • Clean the oil with a strainer before adding the next batch to prevent it from burning.

Nutrition

Calories: 544kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 583mg | Potassium: 551mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 341IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 640mg | Iron: 3mg