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Spanish-Style Fried Sardines

Delicious Spanish-Style Fried Sardines in Just 20 Minutes

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of Spanish cuisine with these crispy, tender fried sardines in just 20 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 1 minute
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 sardines
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: Spanish
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

For Frying
  • 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil Essential for frying
  • 2 cans (4 oz each) Small Sardines in Olive Oil Can substitute with regular-sized sardines
  • 1/3 cup All Purpose Flour Can use gluten-free flour
  • 2 Cage-Free Organic Eggs Acts as a binder; could use vegan egg replacement
For the Garlic Aioli
  • 1/2 cup Low Fat Mayonnaise Can substitute with full-fat or vegan mayo
  • 2 Garlic Cloves Provides aromatic flavor
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice Fresh lemon juice preferred
  • 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil For aioli richness
For Seasoning & Garnish
  • 1 tbsp Chopped Fresh Parsley Can replace with cilantro or omit
  • Sea Salt & Black Pepper Adjust to taste
  • 1 Lemon For garnish

Equipment

  • Frying Pan
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Plate
  • Paper towels

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and add enough extra virgin olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan (about ¼ inch deep). Allow the oil to heat up for approximately 2-3 minutes until it shimmers.
  2. Gently drain the sardines from the cans and place them on a paper towel to absorb moisture.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cage-free organic eggs, chopped parsley, sea salt, and black pepper.
  4. Pour the all-purpose flour into a separate shallow bowl to coat the sardines.
  5. Coat each sardine with flour, then dip into the egg wash mixture, and place on a plate.
  6. Once the oil is hot, add the coated sardines to the pan, frying in batches for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
  7. Transfer the sardines to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
  8. In a small bowl, mix the low-fat mayonnaise, grated garlic, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil until smooth.
  9. Serve the crispy sardines on a platter with garlic aioli and lemon wedges for garnish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sardineCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 8gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 10mg

Notes

Make sure to avoid overcrowding the pan when frying to ensure crispiness.

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