Best Fried Tilapia Po Boy Recipes

SHRIMP AND FISH PO' BOYS

Steps:

• For the shrimp and fish: Attach a deep-fry thermometer to the side of a heavy wide pot. Fill the pot 2 inches full with the oil. Heat to 350 degrees F over medium heat.
• Whisk the garlic powder, cayenne, thyme, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Toss the shrimp and tilapia with the spice mixture and stir to coat. Pour the milk over the fish and shrimp.
• Whisk the flour and cornmeal in a baking dish. Working in batches, toss the shrimp and tilapia in the flour mixture and then carefully place into the pot. Fry the shrimp and tilapia, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and just cooked through, about 4 minutes each batch. Transfer the shrimp and tilapia to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle the shrimp and tilapia with salt immediately after frying.
• For the creamy garlic spread: Blend the mayo, garlic, zest and lemon juice in a bowl.
• For the po' boys: Cut open the baguettes longwise, three-quarters of the way through the bread. Spread the cut sides with the creamy garlic spread. Divide the shrimp and tilapia among the baguettes and top with lettuce, tomato and hot sauce, if using.

JEANNIE'S KICKIN' FRIED FISH

Steps:

• Beat the egg with milk in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, roasted onion flakes, garlic, blackened seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and sea salt.
• Dip a tilapia fillet into the egg mixture, then press gently into the crumb mixture on both sides; set the coated fillet onto a plate. Repeat with remaining fillets; refrigerate the coated fillets for about 15 minutes to help set the crumbs.
• Heat the olive oil and butter in a cast-iron frying pan over medium heat. Lay the fillets into the skillet, and pan-fry until golden brown on each side, about 3 minutes per side. The fish should be opaque and flaky underneath the coating. Remove and drain fillets on paper towels.

GRILLED TILAPIA PO'BOYS WITH HOMEMADE TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare a medium grill or preheat the broiler. If using the broiler, line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• To make the tartar sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, pickles, onion, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Brush the tilapia fillets with the olive oil and season with the salt and pepper. Cut the bread into four 7-inch sections and cut each section in half lengthwise.
• Place the tilapia on the grill or, if broiling, place on the prepared baking sheet. Grill or broil, 4 inches from the heat, turning once, for about 6 minutes total, or until the tilapia flakes easily with a fork and is cooked through. Lay the bread on the grill or broiler cut side down and grill or broil for about 1 minute, or until toasted.
• For each po'boy, place 1 tilapia fillet on the bottom slice of bread, followed by 2 slices of tomato and 1 lettuce leaf. Spread the top slice of bread with 2 tablespoons of the tartar sauce and place it on top of the sandwich.
• The best way to keep fish or other items from sticking to your grill grate is to keep it clean. Brush the grate with a stiff wire brush before you light the fire.

AIR-FRIED CRISPY FISH PO' BOYS WITH CHIPOTLE SLAW

Steps:

• Coat an air fryer basket with cooking spray. Rinse fish fillets and pat dry with paper towels.
• Combine flour, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder in a shallow dish. Whisk egg and water together in a second shallow dish. Combine bread crumbs and cornmeal in a third shallow dish.
• Dip each fish fillet until fully coated in the flour mixture, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the bread crumb mixture. Spray fillets with cooking spray and place in the prepared air fryer basket in a single layer, cooking in batches if necessary.
• Cook in the air fryer at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) until breaded coating is browned and fish flakes easily when tested with a fork, 6 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, salt, and dried chipotle pepper in a medium bowl. Add coleslaw mix and cilantro; toss to coat.
• Serve fish fillets in hoagie rolls. Top with chipotle slaw and queso fresco and serve with lime wedges.

FRIED FISH PO' BOYS WITH CAJUN FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Heat the oil in a large, deep heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with paper towels.
• For the fried fish po' boys: If using skin-on fish fillets, remove the skin, then cut into 4 equal pieces. Season each side of the 4 fillets with 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning. Whisk together the eggs, milk and 2 teaspoons of the Creole seasoning in a large shallow bowl, baking dish or cake pan. Whisk together the flour and the remaining 1 tablespoon of the Creole seasoning in a second large shallow bowl, baking dish or cake pan.
• Dip 2 fillets in the egg mixture and carefully shake off any excess. Dip the fillets in the flour mixture and shake off any excess. Fry the fillets, flipping halfway through, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes depending on the thickness of your fish. Transfer the fish to the second prepared baking sheet and keep warm in the oven until ready to serve. Bring the oil back to 350 degrees F, then repeat with the remaining 2 fillets.
• For the Cajun French fries: Cut the potatoes into 1 1/2-inch sticks and transfer to a large bowl of cold water. Stir until the water is cloudy. Drain the potatoes, transfer to one of the prepared baking sheets, top with paper towels, press down to blot and let sit until the potatoes are dry, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Working in batches, gently add some potatoes to the hot oil, carefully shaking the skillet if needed to make sure the potatoes are completely covered with the oil. Fry until pale golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer the fries with a spider to the same baking sheet. Bring the oil back to 350 degrees F between batches.
• Increase the temperature of the oil to 400 degrees F. Working in batches, add the fries and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the same baking sheet, sprinkle the Creole seasoning over top and toss with tongs.
• To assemble the po' boys: Evenly spread 1/4 cup mayonnaise on each baguette half. Place 1 cup lettuce, 1/4 cup pickles, half of the tomatoes, 2 fried fish fillets and hot sauce on the bottom half. Add some fries if desired, then add the top half. Repeat with the remaining baguette, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, fried fish fillets and hot sauce.
• For the Creole mayo: Stir together the mayonnaise, Creole seasoning and hot sauce in a small bowl. Serve with the po' boys and Cajun French fries.