Description
Delightful Mediterranean crispy fried sardines, perfect for appetizers or light meals with a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 600 g fresh whole sardines, cleaned
- 10 g kosher salt
- 1 medium lemon, zested and cut into wedges
- 2 cloves garlic, finely grated
- 150 g all-purpose flour
- 50 g fine semolina or fine cornmeal
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1 liter neutral frying oil (peanut, sunflower, or vegetable)
- 15 g fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Clean and season the sardines by rinsing and patting them dry. Sprinkle with kosher salt and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Rinse off excess salt if needed, then pat dry again.
- Make the coating mix by combining all-purpose flour, semolina, black pepper, and paprika in a shallow tray and whisking to blend.
- Dredge the sardines by lightly dusting each fish in the coating mix and shaking off the excess, then placing them on a wire rack to set.
- Heat the oil in a skillet to 180°C (350°F).
- Fry sardines in single layers for 90–120 seconds per side until golden and crispy, then drain on a wire rack.
- Finish by tossing the hot sardines with garlic and parsley, squeezing fresh lemon over the top, and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.
Notes
Best served hot, garnished with lemon wedges and fresh parsley. Can be reheated in the oven to regain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg