Crispy fish tacos offer something that not all soft tacos have: because the fish is battered and fried, you get a mouthful of satisfying crunch in each bite. But because they’re fried, we’ve usually left making them to the pros—until now. Our hack will have you achieving that perfect golden-brown crust in the pan, no special equipment required. And to double the crunch, there’s also a snappy quick-picked slaw to go on top.
The quantities provided above are averages only.
Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.
3 unit
Radishes
¼ ounce
Cilantro
1 unit
Lime
1 unit
Carrots
¼ cup
Flour
(Contains Wheat)
1 tablespoon
Cornstarch
1 teaspoon
Baking Powder
11 ounce
Tilapia
(Contains Fish)
1 tablespoon
Blackening Spice
6 unit
Flour Tortilla
(Contains Wheat)
4 tablespoon
Sour Cream
(Contains Milk)
¼ teaspoon
Sugar
2 tablespoon
Vegetable Oil
unit
Salt
unit
Pepper
Wash and dry all produce. Thinly slice radishes. Tear cilantro leaves from stems; discard stems. Halve lime, then cut one half into wedges. Peel carrot. Using a vegetable peeler, shave carrot lengthwise into long ribbons, rotating as necessary. Discard carrot core once it becomes too thin to shave.
In a medium bowl, toss carrot, radishes, ¼ tsp sugar, and juice of half a lime. Season with salt and pepper and set aside to pickle.
In another medium bowl, mix ¼ cup flour (we sent more), cornstarch, and baking powder. Whisk in 6 TBSP water. (TIP: Use more or less water as needed. The batter should have a runny but slightly thick consistency, like paint.) Season with salt and pepper.
Pat tilapia dry with a paper towel, then cut into 6 evenly sized pieces. Season all over with salt, pepper, and blackening spice.
Heat a thin layer of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat (we used 2 TBSP; Use a nonstick pan if you have one). Once oil is very hot, dip a piece of tilapia in batter, coating all over and letting excess drip off. Add to pan, then repeat with remaining fish. Cook until crisp and golden brown, 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Season with salt and pepper.
While fish cooks, wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave on high until warm, about 30 seconds. (TIP: Alternatively, wrap tortillas in foil and warm in oven for 5 minutes at 400 degrees.) Spread tortillas with sour cream. Top with tilapia (breaking it up into pieces to fit), veggies, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing.