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Crispy and flavorful, fried smelt fish is better than chips with dip any day! Coated in a mouthwatering herb mixture, these tiny crispy bites are actually irresistible. Find out more about smelt fish and how to fry up the tastiest recipe ever.
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Easy Crispy Fried Smelt Fish Recipe

Crispy and flavorful, fried smelt fish is better than chips with dip any day! Coated in a mouthwatering herb mixture, these tiny crispy bites are actually irresistible. Find out more about smelt fish and how to fry up the tastiest recipe ever.
Total Time10 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Izzy

Ingredients

  • 1 pound smelt fish cleaned
  • 3 cups vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare the smelt fish

  • Make sure your smelt fish is cleaned and gutted before cooking.
  • Pat fish dry with paper towels. Set aside.

Make the coating

  • Add flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to a resealable Ziploc bag. Toss until all ingredients are blended together.
  • Toss the prepared fish in the seasoning bag until fully coated.

Fry the smelt fish

  • Remove the smelt fish from the bag and place them in a colander to remove the excess flour.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • When oil reaches 350 F, add the fish to the pan. Do not overfill the pan. Fry for 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Transfer the cooked fish to a wire rack and let them cool. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • Smelt is best when served warm and crispy.