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Lemon Dill Fish Bites

Delightful bite-sized fish snacks coated in a crunchy breading and served with a creamy tartar sauce, perfect for any meal or gathering.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Keyword: Appetizer Recipe, Fish Bites, Fried Fish, Lemon Dill, Tartar Sauce
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 300kcal

Ingredients

For the Fish Bites

  • 1 lb White fish fillets (cod or tilapia), cut into bite-sized cubes
  • 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup Cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon Dried dill
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 large Egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup Milk
  • Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)

For the Creamy Tartar Sauce

  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Dill pickle relish
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dried dill
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preparation

  • Set up three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add the flour. In the second bowl, mix the cornmeal, lemon zest, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. In the third bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and milk.

Coating the Fish

  • Take each fish cube and dip it first into the flour, shaking off the excess. Next, dip it into the egg mixture, allowing the extra to drip off, and finally coat it in the cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to ensure it sticks.

Frying

  • In a large skillet, heat about ½ inch of oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
  • Carefully add the coated fish bites to the hot oil in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the skillet. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked fish bites to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Making the Tartar Sauce

  • In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, lemon juice, dried dill, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well combined.
  • Refrigerate the tartar sauce for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. For an extra kick, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cornmeal mixture.

Notes

These fish bites are best served hot, straight from the skillet! Present them on a platter lined with fresh lettuce, paired with creamy tartar sauce for dipping. Consider adding lemon wedges for an extra zesty boost. Test the oil temperature by dropping in a small piece of fish to see if it sizzles.