Fried Smelt Fish was always one of those dishes my family made growing up that immediately filled the house with excitement. These tiny fish fried up so crispy that everyone grabbed them as fast as they came out of the pan. It was one of the highlights of our Feast of the Seven Fishes, and still to this day, making fried smelt takes me right back to those holiday kitchen memories.
Why You’ll Love This Fried Smelt Fish Recipe
- Crispy & Light: Smelt fries up beautifully with a delicate crust that stays crunchy, without feeling heavy.
- Mild Flavor: Perfect even for those who don’t normally love seafood, smelt has a clean, mild taste.
- Quick & Easy: From start to finish, you’ll have a platter of crispy fried fish on the table fast.
- Great for Gatherings: Ideal for Feast of the Seven Fishes, game nights, parties, or casual seafood dinners.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Oil: Canola, peanut, or vegetable oil all work well for frying.
- Flour: Swap with rice flour for an extra-crispy crust, or use a blend of all-purpose and cornstarch.
- Seasonings: Use your favorite seasonings.
How to Prepare Fried Smelt Fish
- Rinse the smelt and pat them completely dry.
- Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven to about 350°F.
- In a freezer bag or large bowl, combine the flour, rice flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika.
- Add the smelt to the flour mixture and toss until each piece is well coated.
- Shake off any excess flour and carefully place the smelt into the hot oil, working in batches.
- Fry for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to a paper towel–lined tray and immediately season with a pinch of salt.
How to Serve & Store Leftovers
- Serve these fried smelt fish right out of the fry alone, or with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, garlic aioli, or cocktail sauce.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day.
- Reheat in an air fryer, or oven to help crisp them back up. Avoid the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are the bones edible? Yes! Smelt bones are tiny and become soft and edible when fried.
- Can I air-fry smelt instead of deep frying? You can, but they won’t get quite as crispy. Lightly oil them and air fry at 400°F for about 8–10 minutes.
- Can I season them differently? Absolutely! Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or paprika all work great.
- Do I need to clean the smelt myself? Most stores sell “cleaned and dressed” smelt, but if not, you can remove the heads and guts at home.
More Crispy Fish Recipes to Love
Print
Fried Smelt Fish
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
Description
Make perfectly crispy Fried Smelt Fish at home with this simple, nostalgic recipe that’s ready in minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds smelt, cleaned, dressed and rinsed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup rice flour or cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for sprinkling out of the fry
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Oil for frying
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse the smelt and pat them completely dry.
- Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven to about 350°F.
- In a freezer bag or large bowl, combine the flour, rice flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika.
- Add the smelt to the flour mixture and toss until each piece is well coated.
- Shake off any excess flour and carefully place the smelt into the hot oil, working in batches.
- Fry for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to a paper towel–lined tray and immediately season with a pinch of salt.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Adding rice flour or cornstarch will provide extra crunch.
- Removing excess flour before frying helps prevent the oil from getting cloudy.
- Frying in batches prevents overcrowding and keeps the coating crisp.
- A cast-iron skillet creates excellent heat retention and browning.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: Fish and Seafood
GET TO KNOW ME!
WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
Our life has changed dramatically in the past few years with the passing of our two goldendoodles, Vegas and Viva. We were lucky enough to have Vegas for five years (totally wish it was longer). Most recently, losing our Viva to a brain tumor in July of 2020. We welcomed our mini goldendoodle 7, almost seven years ago. We just added the amazing Hazel! Of course, I am always posting tons and tons of photos! Be sure to check out my recipe for Pet Bone Broth! This broth is super rich in nutrients and will provide your pet with a multitude of health benefits!
In addition, I’m so very excited to announce I have published my first e-book and paperback, “Mastering Thanksgiving – A Guide to Perfecting Your Thanksgiving Dinner.” Your support would mean the world to me.
Let’s Get Social!
Be sure to follow me on social media! I’m always talking food, fashion, and family! I also love sharing some of my favorite Amazon Finds too. Click here to check out my Amazon page! Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Pinterest and YouTube! Check out my LTK or ShopMy to find out what I’m wearing! THANK YOU!
1 Comment
[…] FRIED SMELT FISH […]