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Easy Crispy Lemon Butter Fish Bites with Garlic Aioli

crispy lemon butter fish bites - featured image
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Crispy, golden fish bites with a light cornstarch coating, pan-fried in butter and olive oil, served with a creamy garlic aioli. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy weeknight dinner or appetizer is bursting with bright lemon and rich garlic flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb firm white fish fillets (cod, halibut, or tilapia), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges for serving
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (full-fat recommended)
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Make the garlic aioli first. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Cover and set aside in the fridge while you prepare the fish.
  2. Prep the fish. Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels. Cut the fish into 1-inch cubes, keeping them uniform in size.
  3. Mix the coating. In a shallow bowl or plate, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  4. Coat the fish. Working in batches, toss the fish cubes in the flour mixture, making sure each piece is evenly coated. Shake off any excess. Place the coated pieces on a plate or baking sheet.
  5. Heat the pan. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and olive oil, swirling until the butter is melted and bubbling.
  6. Cook the fish bites. Carefully add the coated fish pieces to the hot pan in a single layer. Do not overcrowd. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. The fish should flake easily with a fork.
  7. Drain and season. Transfer the cooked fish bites to a plate lined with paper towels. Immediately squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the top and sprinkle with a pinch of salt while still hot.
  8. Serve immediately. Arrange the crispy fish bites on a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve with lemon wedges and the garlic aioli on the side for dipping.

Notes

Pat the fish very dry for maximum crispiness. Do not skip the cornstarch—it creates the shatteringly crispy crust. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or almond flour. For a baked version, arrange coated bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spray with cooking oil, and bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway. The aioli can be made up to 3 days ahead.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy fish bites, lemon butter fish, garlic aioli, easy fish recipe, weeknight dinner, appetizer, cod, halibut, tilapia

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