Whole30 Crispy Fried Small Fish

Dive into the bold flavors and irresistible crunch of Whole30 Crispy Fried Small Fish—a guilt-free twist on a classic dish! Perfect for smelt, anchovies, or other small fish, this wholesome recipe features a light and crispy almond and coconut flour coating infused with garlic, onion, and paprika for an extra kick. The fish are pan-fried to golden perfection in heart-healthy olive oil, making this dish both delicious and compliant with Whole30 guidelines. A zesty hint of lemon juice in the egg wash brightens every bite, while optional fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness. Ready in just 30 minutes, this quick and satisfying recipe is perfect for appetizers, a light meal, or sharing with friends. Serve hot and enjoy crispy fish bliss—Whole30 style!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams small fish (such as smelt or anchovies), cleaned
• 100 grams almond flour
• 50 grams coconut flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 units eggs
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 50 ml olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Start by rinsing the small fish and patting them dry with a paper towel.

Step 2

In a shallow bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

In another bowl, beat the eggs together with the fresh lemon juice.

Step 4

Dip each fish into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off, then dredge them in the flour mixture, ensuring each fish is well-coated.

Step 5

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 6

Carefully place the coated fish into the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry them in batches if necessary.

Step 7

Cook each side for about 3-4 minutes or until the coating is golden brown and crispy.

Step 8

Remove the fish from the skillet and drain on a plate lined with paper towels.

Step 9

Repeat the frying process with the remaining fish, adding more oil to the skillet if needed.

Step 10

Serve the crispy fried fish hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(834.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2028.1

Total Fat 140.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.5g
Cholesterol 724.9mg	0%
Sodium 2916.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 59.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.7g	0%
Total Sugars 8.7g
Protein 138.6g	0%

Vitamin D 1258.5IU	0%
Calcium 794.1mg	0%
Iron 18.7mg	0%
Potassium 2404.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.5%

Protein: 26.9%

Carbs: 11.6%