Seafood Recipes

Classic Fried Whitebait

Crispy, golden classic fried whitebait — the perfect snack or starter. Order premium whitebait now from Pearl Seafoods.

Classic Fried Whitebait
4 People
Serves
10 Mins
Prep Time
10 Mins
Cook Time
Easy
Difficulty
Australian
Cuisine
ABOUT THIS

About This Recipe

Create crispy and delicious Classic Fried Whitebait with this simple recipe. The whitebait is lightly battered and fried until golden, making it a perfect snack or party appetiser. Served with a squeeze of lemon, these crispy bites are packed with flavour and ideal for seafood lovers. Order fresh whitebait and other premium seafood from Pearl Seafoods, delivering high-quality ingredients directly to your door across Sydney. Whether for a casual meal or special occasion, these fried whitebait are sure to impress and satisfy everyone at the table!

Ingredients

  1. 200g fresh whitebait (cleaned)
  2. 100g plain flour
  3. 50g rice flour
  4. Salt (to taste)
  5. Pepper (to taste)
  6. 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
  7. 1 egg (beaten)
  8. 100ml cold water
  9. Vegetable oil (for frying)
  10. Fresh parsley (for garnish)
  11. Lemon wedges (for serving)

Method

  1. In a bowl, mix the plain flour, rice flour, salt, pepper, and paprika (if using).
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and cold water to make a batter.
  3. Dip the cleaned whitebait into the batter, ensuring they are evenly coated.
  4. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Test the oil by dropping in a small amount of batter – it should sizzle immediately.
  5. Carefully add the battered whitebait to the hot oil in batches, frying for 2-3 minutes or until golden and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
  6. Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried whitebait and drain on paper towels.
  7. Serve the fried whitebait hot, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges on the side.
From Our Kitchen

Chef's Tip

Classic fried whitebait is all about light crispiness and delicate seafood flavour. The thin batter fries quickly to create a golden crunchy coating while the whitebait stay tender and savoury inside. Rice flour helps keep the texture airy and crisp, while lemon wedges add freshness and acidity that perfectly balance the richness of the fried seafood, creating a simple yet incredibly moreish seafood appetiser.

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