Low Sodium Crispy Fried Sardines
Delight in the irresistible crunch of **Low Sodium Crispy Fried Sardines**, a healthier twist on a classic seafood favorite. This quick and easy recipe celebrates the natural flavors of fresh sardines, enhanced with a light, seasoned coating of all-purpose flour and cornstarch infused with garlic powder, paprika, lemon zest, and ground black pepper. Fried to golden perfection in just 10 minutes, these sardines are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and completely satisfying—without the heavy use of salt. Perfect for a light meal or appetizer, serve them hot with fresh lemon wedges for a zesty finish. Plus, the recipe's simple ingredients and 15-minute prep time make it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings. Whether you’re looking to impress seafood lovers or explore bold Mediterranean flavors, this dish strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and health-conscious cooking.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 8 pieces fresh sardines, cleaned and gutted
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 0.25 cup olive oil
- 1 whole fresh lemon wedges
Directions
Step 1
Rinse the sardines under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
Step 2
In a shallow dish, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, ground black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and lemon zest.
Step 3
Dredge each sardine in the flour mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. Shake off any excess flour.
Step 4
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You want the oil to be hot but not smoking.
Step 5
Once the oil is hot, carefully add the sardines to the skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to cook them in batches.
Step 6
Fry the sardines for about 3–4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crispy.
Step 7
Remove the sardines from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Step 8
Serve the crispy fried sardines immediately with fresh lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the fish.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1057.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2496.6 |
| Total Fat 149.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 30.4g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g | |
| Cholesterol 1136mg | 0% |
| Sodium 969.8mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 75.6g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 7.8g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 6.3g | |
| Protein 208.0g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 1544IU | 0% |
| Calcium 3140.3mg | 0% |
| Iron 27.4mg | 0% |
| Potassium 3621.2mg | 0% |
Source of Calories