Deep Fried Tilapia Recipes

DEEP-FRIED TILAPIA (FISH)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a 3- or 4-quart pan to at least 375-degrees F. (just a couple of drops of water flipped off your hand will really crackle when the oil has reached this heat level).
• Roll the DRY and THAWED fish in the flour, shake off excess flour, and let the filets sit on a rack or, on wax paper, for 5-10 minutes.
• Roll the fillets in the flour a second time, shake off excess flour, and deep fry, no more than 2 at a time. (frying more than 2 filets at once drives down the oil temperature which will make the fish and coating soggy!) Turn once in the pan after a minute or so and remove when golden brown. They should be done in under 4 minutes, white and flakey inside at the thickest section of the filet. Do not overcook!
• Drain each filet on paper towels for a few seconds and serve.

CRISPY TILAPIA

Steps:

• Salt and pepper fish.
• Dust fillets with 1/3 cup of flour.
• Mix egg with buttermilk in one bowl.
• Mix flour, corn meal, baking soda and baking powder, Old Bay in another bowl.
• Dip all floured fish into egg then flour mixture.
• Heat oil medium-high in large pan.
• Fry, turning after 2 minutes on each side.
• Salt as soon as you take out of pan.
• Should be done in three batches.

UNCLE BILL'S DEEP FRIED TILAPIA FISH

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper; set aside.
• Rinse fish fillets under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
• Cut fish into 1 inch wide by about 4 inches long pieces; set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and pepper.
• Add beer and beaten egg and whisk until well blended and the batter is light, smooth and quite thin (like whipping cream).
• In a medium size saucepan or a frying pan, heat oil to 350°F.
• Dredge fish pieces in the flour mixture.
• Drop the floured fish pieces into the batter to coat, then lift out with tongs and let the excess batter drip off.
• Drop the battered fish into the hot oil and cook for about 1 minute, turn over and cook for an additional 1 minute or until light golden brown.
• Do not overcook.
• Remove from oil onto paper towels to absorb any excess cooking oil.
• Serve immediately with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.

DEEP-FRIED TILAPIA

Steps:

• Season fillets with salt and pepper. Dust with 1/3 cup of flour.
• Beat buttermilk and egg in a bowl. Combine remaining flour, cornmeal, seafood seasoning, baking powder, and baking soda in another bowl. Dip all flour-dusted fillets into egg mixture, then into seasoned flour mixture.
• Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large frying pan or deep fryer. Fry fillets, working in batches if needed, until golden, about 2 minutes on each side. Season again with salt as soon as your take them out of the pan or fryer.

FRIED TILAPIA PO' BOY

Steps:

• For the aioli: Preheat a pizza oven or regular oven to 450 degrees F.
• Coat the peppers with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a bowl, then place on a sheet tray. Roast until the pepper skin burns and blisters on all sides, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Place the peppers in a glass bowl and cover with plastic wrap to let steam for 10 minutes. Remove the peppers from the bowl and carefully remove the charred skins, seeds and stems. Finely chop and set aside.
• Add the egg yolk, lemon juice, garlic, mayonnaise and mustard to a medium bowl. Slowly drizzle in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and whisk until emulsified. Add the basil and peppers and fold together until combined. Season with salt and set aside.
• For the onions and tilapia: Very carefully slice the onions into paper-thin rings on a mandoline and place in a large bowl. Cover the onions with the milk and let sit for 15 minutes.
• Preheat a fryer or fill a large Dutch oven with 3 inches canola oil and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a tray with a wire rack.
• Slice each piece of fish down the middle, then slice on the bias into 2/3-inch pieces. Place the fish in a shallow dish and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Add the flour to another shallow dish.
• Dredge the fish in the flour, then shake off the excess and carefully place in the oil. Cook until golden brown on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to the wire rack.
• Fully drain the onions, then carefully place them in the oil. Cook, moving the onions around, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes (be sure to watch, as they cook fast). Remove and season with salt.
• Slice the baguette pieces through the middle horizontally without cutting through. Add the aioli to both cut sides of the bread. Lay 3 to 4 pieces of fish in each, then top with the crispy onions and the arugula and serve.

PAN-FRIED TILAPIA

Steps:

• Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, Cajun seasoning, basil, parsley, and lemon-pepper seasoning. Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tilapia fillets and increase heat to medium-high.
• Cook tilapia until opaque and easily flaked with a fork, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Adjust temperature if it browns too quickly.