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Lemon Butter Fish Bites with Garlic Aioli

Lemon Butter Fish Bites with Garlic Aioli

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free breadcrumbs or substitutes)

Description

Golden and crispy Lemon Butter Fish Bites served with a creamy garlic aioli, offering a perfect balance of bright lemon flavor and rich buttery taste. Quick to prepare and ideal as an appetizer, snack, or main dish with sides, this recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor to your home kitchen using simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Fish and Coating

  • White fish fillets (cod or tilapia) – about 1 lb, cut into 1 to 1.5 inch pieces
  • All-purpose flour – 1/2 cup, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper
  • Eggs – 2, beaten
  • Panko breadcrumbs – 1 cup
  • Olive oil – for frying, about 2-3 tbsp
  • Salt and pepper – to taste

Lemon Butter Sauce

  • Butter – 3 tbsp
  • Fresh lemon juice – 2 tbsp
  • Fresh lemon zest – 1 tsp

Garlic Aioli

  • Mayonnaise – 1/2 cup
  • Fresh garlic – 2 cloves, finely minced
  • Olive oil – 1 tbsp
  • Fresh lemon juice – 1 tsp
  • Salt – pinch, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Fish: Cut white fish fillets into bite-sized pieces, about 1 to 1.5 inches wide. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring crispiness when frying.
  2. Set Up Your Breading Station: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with all-purpose flour seasoned with salt and pepper, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs to create a crispy coating.
  3. Coat the Fish Bites: Dip each fish piece into the flour, shaking off excess, then into the beaten eggs, and finally press firmly into the panko breadcrumbs until fully coated. Place on a plate ready for cooking.
  4. Fry the Fish Bites: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry fish bites in batches, cooking about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Remove and let drain on paper towels.
  5. Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: In a small pan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in fresh lemon juice and zest, warming the sauce gently without browning the butter. Drizzle over the fried fish bites immediately.
  6. Prepare the Garlic Aioli: Combine mayonnaise, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Chill briefly before serving alongside the fish bites.

Notes

  • Dry the fish pieces thoroughly to ensure a crisp coating and avoid sogginess.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest, freshest flavor; avoid bottled lemon juice.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan while frying to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
  • Panko breadcrumbs provide a much crunchier texture compared to regular breadcrumbs.
  • Let fish bites rest on paper towels after frying to drain excess oil and keep them crispy.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 380mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 22g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: lemon butter fish bites, garlic aioli, crispy fish bites, appetizer, seafood snack, quick fish recipe, fried fish bites

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Find it online: https://dishesbyme.com/lemon-butter-fish-bites-with-garlic-aioli/