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A vertical angled image of golden fried fish fillets with tartar sauce, garnished with lemon wedges and parsley.
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4 from 15 votes

Crunchy Pan-fried Lemon Pepper Fish Fillets

Golden brown, crunchy and flavorful fish fillets that are clean, quick, and easy to make. 
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Dinner, Entree, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 223kcal
Author: Kitrusy

Ingredients

For the Fish Fillets

Instructions

For the Fish Fillets:

  • Cut each fillet into half lengthwise and pat each one dry. 
  • In a separate bowl combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, salt and onion powder together and mix well. Pour the marinade over the dried fish fillets and allow to set for at least 10 minutes.
  • Place the flour in a separate bowl or dish and coat each fillet with flour, being sure to cover both sides. Shake off any excess flour and set each fillet aside to rest for a few minutes to allow the breading to set and dry which will help your crust be more stable.
  • Heat a saucepan on med-high heat and add just enough olive oil to cover the bottom. When the olive oil is hot (but not smoking) add a few fillets. The olive oil should begin to bubble immediately upon adding a fillet.
  • Fry the fish for 2-3 minutes per side until the bottoms are golden brown. Flip each fillet and fry on the other side for an additional 2-3 minutes. 
  • When both sides are golden brown, remove the fillets and set them on paper towels to drain off any excess olive oil.
  • Serve immediately. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Notes

  • Work in batches and be sure to not overcrowd the pan. Give each fillet enough space to lay flat without touching  the fillet next to it.
  • If after frying the first batch you notice a sludge of flour and olive oil, be sure to scrape it out and wipe the pan clean before frying the next batch. While this is normal, you can reduce it by shaking any excess flour off of the fillets before adding them to the pan.

Nutrition

Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 874mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 2g | Vitamin A: 245IU | Vitamin C: 5.9mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.7mg