It’s “Fry”yay

You know I like my airfryer and it’s been awhile, so hopefully some of you have purchased one since the last recipe. If not you can still use your oven to bake the fish and still give it a slight fried texture.

Let me say first, I’m not a fried fish person. It’s usually coated in cornmeal or bread crumbs heavily, thats not a bad thing just not my preference. Thats one of the only ways to eat your fish to some. I have been to multiple fish fries here and when I lived in North Carolina. Some are done well, majority of the time they are. Then there is the over season guy, he likes his salt with his secret recipe or the add everything in the frier guy, yes, that could include squirrel. I politely only eat sides at that fish fry. Not that I’m not adventurous in different cuisine, yes I have had squirrel along with frog legs. Just sometimes you need to pay attention to your mixing of meats in oil.

Let’s get real, fried food is just not good for us that are choosing to make healthy heart choices. Fried food is just not healthy. When the cardiologist talk about moderation, fried food is on the “we rather you NOT eat any”, but one piece won’t hurt here and there. This is where I come back to the, did you buy an airfryer yet?

Going low sodium does not mean cutting flavor! I have said it before and will continue to say it. Know your spices and herbs! I’m going to give you the the STH Hot Old Bay seasoning now, we are not waiting until the end.

STH Hot Old Bay sodium free

2 tsp ground bay leaves

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground allspice

2 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 tsp ground cardamom

1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp. Hungarian hot paprika

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. cayenne pepper

2 tsp. dry/ground mustard

2 tsp. celery seed

Combine all ingredients in a small jar with a sealed lid and shake to mix. You should know by now you need those jars.

This is a time I’m asking you NOT to substitute the Hungarian hot paprika, BUT most do not have during quarantine, if you do not have or can not get the Hungarian hot paprika, replace with cayenne pepper. It will not give the same flavor of heat, but will work. IF and I mean IF in a very strong way that you can not handle any heat, replace the Hungarian hot paprika with normal smoked paprika.

Now that we are talking about fish, tilapia is one of the most common white fish, if not for you, you can use any white fish.

We can use crappie right now in the Ozarks, I still prefer tilapia. Most of the fishermen/women right now will argue that crappie needs to be fried too, we will agree to disagre, lol. You can use what you prefer. You will be able to use this seasoning on a fish sandwich, fish tacos or just a baked white fish.

Now that I have gone over the ingredients of the core seasoning and types of fish, let’s get to how we can prepare the fish. What you will need, STH Hot Old Bay, flour, Hain baking powder, olive oil and a gallon size ziplock bag.

Hain baking powder is a no sodium baking powder, if you are on a strict or watching sodium intake I suggest getting this brand. Let’s get to the “fry” part of this fish.

Hot Old Bay Fish Filets

For 2-4 fish filets, 1/2 to 3/4 cups of flour, 2 rounded tsp of STH Hot Old Bay and 1 TBS of baking powder. Mix the flour, seasoning, baking powder in the one gallon bag. Rinse your fish off and pat dry. You will mist both sides of the fish with olive oil. Place in ziplock bag with flour mixture. I suggest to always keep air in your gallon bag so the flour can move around the fish freely. Shake bag to coat the fish, I do one filet at a time. When you take filets out mist both sides again with olive oil. I promise you are not using a lot of oil, this is why having a mister for oil is great to have on hand. Place directly into preheated airfryer and set at 370 for 10 minute, flip filets halfway through cook time. If you’re baking place in preheated oven at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

We all know fish is heart healthy for us, we need that omega 3 and good protein. Some people are not fish people, but it’s about learning how to season and bake. If you’re familiar with Old Bay, which I love, but of course I have needed to make a sodium free option, you can use the STH Hot Old Bay just like you would with the original version. It will be great with any fish or seafood. I hope you enjoy this recipe, please give your feed back. You can see in this next picture how flaky the fish comes out of the airfryer.

How do you like your fish prepared?