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+ servings
Crispy fish fritters with a peek of tender white fish inside, perfect for appetizers.

Indian Fish Pakora

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Classic Indian Fish Pakora made with cod, chickpea flour, and aromatic spices, resulting in crispy, golden bites perfect with green chutney.
6 Servings

Ingredients

For the Fish Pakora:

  • 1 lb codfish cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic paste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 3 cups oil for frying

For the Batter:

  • 1 cup chickpea flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 2 teaspoons dry roasted cumin-coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves
  • Water as needed, to form a thick batter

Instructions
 

Marinate the Fish:

  1. Begin by ensuring the fish is thawed if frozen, then cut it into 1-inch cubes. Place the fish cubes in a bowl, and marinate with lemon juice and garlic paste. Allow the fish to rest for approximately 10 minutes, which helps infuse the flavors into the fish.

Prepare the Batter:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the chickpea flour, salt, red chili powder, red chili flakes, cumin-coriander powder, and dried fenugreek leaves. Gradually add water, a little at a time, while stirring, until a thick, smooth batter forms. The batter should be thick enough to coat the fish cubes without dripping excessively.

Heat the Oil:

  1. In a deep pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. To check if the oil is at the correct temperature, drop a small amount of batter into the oil; it should sizzle and rise slowly, indicating that the oil is ready for frying.

Coat and Fry the Fish:

  1. Dip each marinated fish cube into the batter, ensuring an even coating. Carefully place the battered fish pieces into the hot oil. Fry the fish in small batches to avoid overcrowding, allowing each piece to cook evenly. Fry for approximately 3–4 minutes, turning as needed, until each piece achieves a golden, crispy exterior.

Drain and Serve:

  1. Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried fish pakoras from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve the fish pakoras hot with green chutney, tamarind chutney, or lemon wedges.

Notes

This recipe is naturally gluten-free as it uses chickpea flour for the batter. To ensure a gluten-free result, verify that all spices and ingredients used are certified gluten-free.
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