Coat fish in flour, then egg, and then bread crumbs. Gently set coated fish into hot oil and fry 5 minutes on each side until medium golden brown in color. When the fish is evenly golden all over, remove and drain on brown paper sacks.
Should I use egg when frying fish?
This fish is more tender and juicy than regular pan-fried fish because the coating seals in the fish juices. Egg and flour coating protects the fish from drying out and creates a very tasty crust!
Does batter need egg?
If you want a delightfully crispy batter don’t use egg. That will give you a chewier, cakier texture. If that’s what you prefer, feel free to use this recipe and beat an egg into the batter. Another factor in achieving nice, crispy results is the thickness of the batter.
Why do we Coat fish in flour and egg before cooking?
Coating fish with flour before cooking enhances its naturally delicate texture by creating a crispy golden-brown outer crust while retaining its inner flakiness. Used most often when pan-frying, the flour coating adds flavor and helps to seal in juices.
Do you dip egg first or flour?
The standard breading technique involves first dredging the item with flour, dipping it in egg wash, and then finally coating it with breadcrumbs. This works because the flour sticks to the food, the egg sticks to the flour, and the breadcrumbs stick to the egg.
How do you get flour to stick to fish without eggs?
You could also try milk or yogurt. For heavier coatings (like breadcrumbs), you might dust the fish with flour first. Once the floured fish is dipped in the butter or milk, it will get a little gummy and help the coating adhere better.
Does egg make batter crispy?
When you add eggs to your batter, the yolks give it a pale golden color and soften the flour’s gluten strands slightly, giving the crust a more delicate crispness. The eggs’ proteins help the flour form a better moisture seal, keeping your food moister, and they also reduce the batter’s ability to absorb oil.
How thick should batter be for fish?
It should be a fairly thin batter but fully coat the back of a spoon. If too thick, add beer 1 tsp at a time. Dredge fish: Dunk a piece of fish in the batter, the let the excess drip off very briefly. Fry 3 minutes: Carefully lower into oil, dropping it in away from you, one piece at a time.
How do you keep fried fish crispy?
Right – The smart way to drain the excess oil from your fried seafood is by using a cooling rack (the same thing you use to cool off baked goods). Place the rack over a cookie sheet, allowing the oil to drip to the bottom. The fish will stay crispy and your guests will be happy.
Why won’t my batter stick to my fish?
If it’s English style beer battered fish the batter “shouldn’t” stick to the fish otherwise it will be too dry or soggy depending on which way you go rather than light and crisp. To be light and crisp it should not adhere to the surface of the fish too closely.
Why does my batter fall off fish?
Dry flour doesn’t stick to itself very well, so if a too-thick initial dredging creates clump-like layers of flour that aren’t well moistened, in the relative violence of the fryer the dry interior of those clump-like layers will separate from each other and your breading will flake off.
Do you season fish before frying?
Before you fry the fish in hot oil, season it with herbs and spices to enhance the fish’s flavor. There are various ways to season fish before frying it. If you like southern-style catfish, try seasoning it with cornmeal. Or, if you’d prefer a simpler route, try seasoning whitefish with beer and breadcrumbs.
How do you keep fish coated when frying?
Fill one with a thick layer of cornstarch. Fill the second about one-third full of milk or milk substitute. Beat an egg into the milk until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Fill the third with a thick layer of flour, breadcrumbs or your coating of choice.
What is the reason for coating fish?
It provides a crispy mouth feel and soaks up flavors from the fat when frying. Coating can also make it easier to fry fish meat that has a tendency to fall apart. The batter turns into a shell that keeps the sensitive protein in place and stops it from sticking to the hot surface of the pan.