How To Make Salt and Pepper Fish Recipe

Introduction

Salt and pepper fish is a beloved dish on Chinese restaurant menus, famed for its light, crispy coating and aromatic blend of spices. Quick to prepare and incredibly flavorful, it makes for an attention-grabbing appetizer or a delightful main course. With its golden-crisp texture and zesty seasoning, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that tastes just as impressive made at home as it does from your favorite takeout spot.

What Makes Salt and Pepper Fish Stand Out?

The brilliance of salt and pepper fish lies in its simplicity and remarkable flavor. The crust—a delicate dusting of cornstarch or flour—locks in the fish’s moisture, yielding a perfectly tender interior beneath a satisfyingly crunchy shell. Tossed with crackly garlic, scallions, and fiery chilies, every bite delivers a punch of umami, heat, and subtle citrusy notes from freshly ground pepper.

Choosing and Prepping Your Fish

For best results, use a firm white fish like cod, tilapia, or halibut, as these varieties stay flakey without falling apart during frying. To streamline prep, use a quality Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen, Set of 3 for clean, precise slicing. Dice the fish into bite-sized cubes for even cooking and better seasoning coverage.

A top tip for uniform vegetable and chili slices: reach for a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper. It helps ensure all aromatics, from red chilies to green onions, are evenly chopped for a balanced garnish.

Crispy Cooking Methods: Skillet or Air Fryer

Classic salt and pepper fish is shallow-fried for a light crunch. Use a reliable nonstick skillet like the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch to keep sticking to a minimum and crisping at its best.

Want to cut back on oil? Prepare salt and pepper fish in the COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Grey. The air fryer’s high-heat airflow produces equally delicious golden pieces with significantly less oil—perfect for a lighter meal.

Finishing Touches and Serving Tips

Once the fish is crisp, it gets tossed in a fragrant mix of garlic, scallions, and fresh red chilies. A quick stir-fry ensures the heat and aroma from the aromatics infuse into the coating without overwhelming the delicate fish.

To keep serving simple and neat, transfer the fish to a platter lined with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, 45 Square Feet—this soaks up excess oil and makes for easy clean-up.

Serve salt and pepper fish with a wedge of lemon or alongside steamed jasmine rice to allow every peppery, garlicky bite to shine.

Nutritional Information & Serving Size

This recipe yields 2–4 servings, depending on portion size and intended course. Fried fish is best enjoyed fresh, so try not to prepare more than you plan to eat in one sitting. One serving provides about 220–270 calories, mainly from the fish and light breading.

How To Make Salt and Pepper Fish (Recap)

Salt and pepper fish offers the perfect balance of crispiness, tenderness, and zesty seasoning. Its ease of preparation and unbeatable flavor make it an ideal recipe when you’re looking for something quick, satisfying, and sure to impress.

Instructions

1. Pat the fish pieces dry with paper towels.
2. In a wide bowl, combine the cornstarch, sea salt, black pepper, and optional white pepper. Dredge the fish until each piece is well coated, shaking off excess.
3. To shallow-fry (skillet method):
   1. Heat 1/4-inch of oil in a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch over medium-high until shimmering.
   2. Add the fish in batches, frying each side for 2–3 minutes until golden and crisp. Remove to a plate lined with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, 45 Square Feet.
4. To air fry:
   1. Preheat your COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Grey to 400°F.
   2. Arrange dredged fish in a single layer. Spray lightly with oil. Cook 8–10 minutes, turning halfway, until crisp and cooked through.
5. In a separate small pan, heat a splash of oil. Sauté the minced garlic, scallions, and chilies for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and just softened.
6. Add the cooked fish to the pan with the aromatics. Toss gently to coat, cooking for just 1 minute more.
7. Transfer fish to a platter. Garnish with extra scallions, cilantro, and serve with lemon wedges.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Salt and pepper fish—simple to prepare, bold in flavor, and brimming with irresistible crunch. Give this recipe a try and enjoy restaurant-worthy results in your own kitchen!