Description
Lemon Butter Fish Bites with Garlic Aioli are crispy, tender morsels combining the bright zestiness of lemon butter with a creamy garlic aioli. Perfect as a quick seafood snack or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, this recipe offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures that’s easy to prepare and irresistible to share.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish Bites
- 1 lb fresh white fish fillets (cod, haddock, or pollock), cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour/gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free option)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- Olive oil or vegetable oil, for frying
Garlic Aioli
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the fish: Cut white fish fillets into bite-sized chunks and pat dry with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks well and the bites stay crispy when cooked.
- Make the lemon butter mixture: Melt butter in a small saucepan, then stir in fresh lemon juice and zest. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Coat the fish bites: Dip each piece of fish first into flour seasoned with salt and pepper, then into the lemon butter mixture, and finally into breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere an even layer.
- Fry the bites: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Cook the coated fish bites in batches, frying for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Prepare the garlic aioli: Mix mayonnaise with finely minced garlic, a squeeze of lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and a bit of olive oil. Stir well until smooth and creamy.
- Serve and enjoy: Plate the crispy Lemon Butter Fish Bites alongside a generous dollop of garlic aioli for dipping. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Dry fish thoroughly before coating to help the crust stick better and crisp up perfectly.
- Use fresh lemon zest for the brightest flavor.
- Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding and keep the oil temperature consistent for crunchy bites.
- Let fried bites rest briefly on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Adjust the garlic amount in aioli according to your preference for a milder or stronger flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: fish bites, lemon butter fish, garlic aioli, seafood appetizer, crispy fish bites, gluten free fish snack, easy fish recipe
