Super Crunchy Oven Fried Fish That Will Knock Your Socks Off!

Submitted by Sophisticated Taste

"This is a recipe handed down to me from a buddy who has ran a seafood restaurant on the waters of Marina Del Ray, California. I have never found a crunchier, juicier and flavorful but yet oven fried fish ever. Enjoy it, I have. To prevent overcooking, buy fish fillets at least 1 inch thick. The bread crumbs can be made up to 3 days in advance, cooled, and stored at room temperature in an airtight container."

 

• Ready In: 48mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 4 large slice white bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
• 1 small shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1⁄4 cup plus 5 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish (optional)
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 1⁄4 1 1/4 lbs haddock fillets (1 to 1 1/2 inches thick) or 1 1/4 lbs other thick white fish fillets, cut into 4 pieces (1 to 1 1/2 inches thick)
• lemon wedge

directions

1. 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Pulse bread, melted butter, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in food processor until bread is coarsely ground, eight 1-second pulses (you should have about 3 1/2 cups crumbs). Transfer to rimmed baking sheet and bake until deep golden brown and dry, about 15 minutes, stirring twice during baking time. Cool crumbs to room temperature, about 10 minutes. Transfer crumbs to pie plate; toss with parsley and shallot. Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees.
2. 2. Place 1/4 cup flour in second pie plate. In third pie plate, whisk eggs, horseradish (if using), mayonnaise, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until combined; whisk in remaining 5 tablespoons flour until smooth.
3. 3. Spray wire rack with nonstick cooking spray and place in rimmed baking sheet. Dry fish thoroughly with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Dredge 1 fillet in flour; shake off excess. Using hands, coat with egg mixture. Coat all sides of fillet with bread crumb mixture, pressing gently so that thick layer of crumbs adheres to fish. Transfer breaded fish to wire rack. Repeat with remaining 3 fillets.
4. 4. Bake fish until instant-read thermometer inserted into centers of fillets registers 140 degrees, 18 to 25 minutes. Using thin spatula, transfer fillets to individual plates and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Reviews

[Chef J Bell]

My buddy and I caught a dozen jumbo yellow perch (like walleye) out of Mille Lacs Lake and his little Mrs. had this batter ready when we got home. She adapted a few things (used Panko for the breading, and didn't oven-bake them, but fried them and they were fantastic! The horseradish and cayenne pepper gave it that tangy bite and the fish were really crunchy - even the next day when we snacked on the leftovers.

 

[mama smurf]

I made this cutting it down for just DH and I and using cod...delicious! I did add a few panko crumbs to the fresh bread crumbs for a little more crunch but otherwise I followed the instructions. Loved the horseradish and cayenne pepper in this but it wasn't overpowering. Definately one we will make again and again. Made for Spring Pick a Chef 2011 Orphanage.

 

[Scrivener1]

This was good, but of course does not stay crunchy when you reheat it. If you like fried fish and are looking for a baked alternative, this is the recipe for you.

 

[Lori Mama]

Nice and crunchy as promised. I had a bit of a problem finding white fish 1 inch thick, but lucked out in the end. Couldn't see, in my minds eye, this recipe lending itself to salmon. I used wholewheat bread, as I don't buy white. Followed the instructions closely and the result was delicious. Made for TYM Tag Game. :(