Is Fried Fish Keto? Everything You Need to Know

Fried fish can absolutely be part of a keto diet! With some simple tweaks and substitutions you can enjoy deliciously crispy fried fish that fits into your low-carb high-fat lifestyle.

Why Is Fried Fish Typically High in Carbs?

Traditional fried fish recipes call for a breading made with flour, which adds a significant amount of carbohydrates. A standard fish fry coating contains around 20-30 grams of carbs per serving. For keto that amount would blow your daily carb allowance.

The breading is what causes fried fish to be so high in carbs. The fish itself contains minimal carbs. A 6-ounce fillet of cod or tilapia has only 1 gram of carbohydrates.

Keto-Friendly Alternatives to Traditional Breading

The good news is, there are plenty of low-carb options that can be used to coat fish before frying. With a simple swap of the breading, you can keep fried fish on your keto menu. Here are some excellent low-carb coatings for keto fried fish:

• Almond flour – Finely ground almond flour makes an excellent crunchy coating with only 2-3 net carbs per serving. It browns up nice and crispy when fried.

• Coconut flour – Another nut-based flour with slightly more fiber and fewer net carbs than almond flour Coconut flour absorbs a lot of moisture so it helps seal in juices

• Pork rinds – Crushed pork rinds (or pork rind crumbs) create a delightfully crispy crust. Look for ones with no added carbs.

• Parmesan cheese – Grated parmesan provides great flavor and crunch. Combine it with almond flour for extra crispy results.

• Nuts and seeds – Finely chopped nuts like pecans or seeds like sesame make a tasty baked coating.

Keto-Friendly Frying Oils

Along with the bready coating, the oil used for frying can also impact the carb count. Some oils contain added sugars and carbohydrates.

When selecting an oil for keto fried fish, stick with pure, unprocessed options like:

• Avocado oil
• Coconut oil
• Lard or tallow
• Beef tallow
• Olive oil (has a low smoke point so best for pan-frying)

Avoid vegetable and seed oils like canola, sunflower, cottonseed, etc. Those contain inflammatory Omega-6 fats. Stick with stable saturated and monounsaturated fats on keto.

Keto Fried Fish Recipes

Here are a couple mouthwatering keto fried fish recipes to add to your low-carb recipe repertoire:

Keto Breaded Fried Fish

For this recipe, cod fillets are dipped in beaten egg. Then they are coated with a mixture of almond flour, parmesan, parsley, lemon zest, and seasonings. The fish is then fried in avocado oil for a crunchy, flavorful crust. It’s even better served with some keto coleslaw and tartar sauce.

![Keto Breaded Fried Fish][]Get the full Keto Breaded Fried Fish recipe here…

Crispy Keto Fried Fish

This recipe uses almond flour as the low-carb breading as well. The cod fillets are dipped in an egg wash seasoned with garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper before coating with almond flour. Then they are fried in avocado oil for a hot and crispy fish fry. ![Crispy Keto Fried Fish][] Get the full Crispy Keto Fried Fish recipe here…

Tips for Crispy Keto Fried Fish

• Use a fine almond flour for an ultra crispy coating. You can pulse coarser almond meal in a food processor to get a finer texture.
• Let the breaded fish fillets rest for 5-10 minutes before frying. This helps the coating adhere better.
• Use a deep fryer or Dutch oven with at least 2-3 inches oil for crispiest results. Pan frying in just a little oil can work too.
• Fry the fish in batches to maintain oil temperature. Don’t overcrowd.
• Let the fried fish drain on a cooling rack or paper towels before serving.

Health Benefits of Fried Fish on Keto

Fish provides high-quality protein with all the essential amino acids your body needs. It’s also rich in important omega-3 fats like EPA and DHA.

Frying seals in moisture, flavors, and nutrients. Compared to oven-baked fish, fried fish packs more omega-3s per serving. The monounsaturated fats used for frying offer health benefits as well.

Just watch your portion size, as the fat content can quickly add up when deep frying.

The Bottom Line

Crispy fried fish can absolutely be a keto-approved meal. A low-carb coating and healthy frying oil are the keys to keeping it keto. Give one of the delicious recipes above a try for a satisfying fish fry the whole family will love.