Pan Fried Whiting Fish Recipe (Southern Fried Fish)

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This crispy golden whiting fish is perfectly seasoned, well coated, and fried until golden brown— soft and moist on the inside and irresistibly crunchy on the outside. It’s a Southern favorite that never disappoints.

Whether you grew up eating it at family fish fries or you’re just discovering this delicious dish, there’s something undeniably comforting about biting into a crunchy piece of fried fish. With the right seasoning like our Jacmel seasoning blend (optional) for extra flavor and technique, you can bring restaurant-quality fried whiting straight to your kitchen!

About This Fried Whiting Fish

This recipe for fried whiting fish is a basic Southern fried fish recipe. Beautifully panned fried with a super golden crust, moist and tender on the inside, and serves well for dinner or potluck.

Fried chicken and fried fish are probably the first two dishes that are on top of Southern cuisine. This pan-fried fish is coated with delicious, seasoned corn flour and is pan-fried within 10 minutes or less.

Hot or cold, this crispy fried whiting fish is always a crowd-pleaser. With this pan-fried fish recipe, there’s no reason to bring out the deep fryer. Plus, it will take less time to cook the fish than the amount of time it will take you to wash and put away the deep fryer.

What is Whiting Fish?

From the Atlantic Ocean to the local fish markets and stores, this mild, white-fleshed whiting fish has a delicate, flaky texture with a slightly sweet flavor. No wonder why it’s an excellent choice for frying.

Whiting is a Gadiformes (cod-like) fish. This slender, low in mercury fish occupies the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, including the North Sea on the East Coast of Britain. Although it is often compared to cod, this fish has the character to stand alone at the dinner table. Unlike cod, whiting fish tend to lean more on the softer and lighter side.

Make This Recipe For Less Than 15 Dollars

What I like about whiting fish is that it’s inexpensive. Every bite of this fried whiting takes me back to not only childhood fish fries, but also when funds were limited—the sound of sizzling oil, the scent of seasoned fish filling the air, and the joy of gathering around the table with family and sometimes, friends. Fried whiting isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience.

I often pick up a couple of bags from Aldi for less than $12.00, making it perfect for a $15.00 or less meal.

It serves well with a side of potato fries, yuca fries, to steamed cabbage for a meal everyone will love!

Aside from being extremely easy to prepare, this recipe is gluten-free (if using gluten-free flour).

The fish is incredibly delicious and fries well in minutes. Not to mention, it compliments most food dishes and is easy to thaw if frozen.

This Southern pan-fried whiting fish doesn’t get any easier than this. It pairs well with cauliflower, rice and beans.

Secret To Getting That Perfect Crunch

Start by cleaning the fish with vinegar, lemon, or lime. Rinse well then pat dry.

Place the fish in a large bowl or plate, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

The key to crispy fried whiting is using a well-seasoned cornmeal or flour coating, frying in hot oil (350–375°F), and ensuring the fish is dry before coating.

For coating, the key ingredients I used to make the fried whiting fish are – cornmeal, cayenne pepper, 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour, salt and pepper to taste, dried basil, and vegetable oil for frying.

Some prefer a wet batter for a thicker crust, while others love the classic cornmeal-flour dredge for a crunchy texture.

More Fish Recipes To Enjoy

Fried Red Snapper

Air Fryer Fish And Chips

Grilled Whole Red Snapper

Air Fried Porgy Fish

BOUILLABAISSE (FRENCH FISH STEW)

How To Make This Fish

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Pan Fried Whiting Fish Recipe

Savory Thoughts This pan fried whiting fish is a southern classic that is never a disappointment. This recipe works for many reasons: it is extremely easy to prepare. It is gluten-free. It is incredibly delicious. And fries well in minutes. 5 from 32 votes Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 minutes minsCook Time 20 minutes minsTotal Time 30 minutes mins Course Main DishCuisine American, Haitian Servings 6 ServingsCalories 161 kcal

Equipment

• Heavy Bottom Skillet or Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients 1x2x3x

• 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 1 cup Cornmeal
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• salt and pepper to taste; Lightly season the fish with salt and pepper to taste. I also added 1 ½ tsp. Kosher salt and 1 tsp. ground black pepper to the flour coating.
• 1 pk. Whiting fish fillet
• vegetable oil for frying Peanut will also work as well. I used about 6 cups of oil

Instructions

• Wash and lightly season the fish with salt and pepper. Set aside.In a medium bowl, combine the cornmeal, cayenne pepper, all-purpose flour, salt and pepper to taste, and basil. Mix well and set aside.
• in a heavy bottom pan add the oil and heat the oil to 375℉. Coat each fish one by one and set aside on a plate.
• Then fry the fish in small batches for 5 minutes per side. Repeat the steps with the remaining fish. Serve warm and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Serving Suggestions

• Classic Sides: French fries, coleslaw or pikliz, hush puppies, cornbread, or with this Haitian style mac and cheese or with this Stovetop mac and cheese.

• Lighter Options: Cucumber salad, roasted vegetables, quinoa, or a fresh green salad.

• Dipping Sauces: Tartar sauce, hot sauce, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

• Bread Pairings or Make it a Sandwich: Alongside vegetables, serve this fried whiting with this Air fryer Milk Buns, or serve it as a sandwich in a soft bun with lettuce, tomatoes, and your favorite condiment.

Recipe Notes & Tips

As you may notice from the ingredients list, I used a combination of flour and cornmeal. However, if you do not have cornmeal, breadcrumbs will work as well. You can alter the recipe in any way with the ingredients you have on hand. Make it your own – natural or dry herbs will also work. Feel free to also omit the cayenne pepper or add more for an extra kick!

Storing & Reheating Suggestions

Refrigerating: Fried whiting is best when it is served immediately. Transfer cooled leftover fish to an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheating: To reheat the fish, in the oven at 275 degrees to maintain its crispiness, heat until heated through or in the microwave until heated through. **** When printing the recipe, please unselect the camera so that the pictures are NOT printed with the recipe (if preferred). **** This post may contain affiliate links. See our full Privacy Policy. We may receive compensation by clicking on the links and or making a purchase. Calories are estimated per serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 6PeopleCalories: 161kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 6gFat: 1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 62mgPotassium: 28mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 0.8mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.4mg Making this recipe?Mention @MSavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts! Tried this recipe?Mention @SavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!