Peixinhos da Horta (Portuguese Fried Green Beans)
In short: Fresh green beans dipped in a light batter and fried until crisp and golden, eaten hot with lemon and coarse salt. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 150 kcal
Peixinhos da horta means little fish of the garden, a playful name for green beans fried in a light batter. They appear on Portuguese appetizer tables, at village festivals and as a starter in restaurants. The beans are blanched first so they stay bright and tender inside the crisp coat. Serve them hot, with lemon and a pinch of coarse salt.
Instructions
- Boil the beans in well-salted water for 3 to 4 minutes until just tender but still bright. Drain, cool in cold water and dry thoroughly with a towel.
- Whisk the flour, salt, egg and sparkling water until smooth, like thin pancake batter. Rest the batter for 10 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a deep, heavy pan to 180°C (350°F).
- Gather the beans into small bundles of 2 or 3. Dip each bundle in the batter, let the excess drip off and lower it into the oil.
- Fry in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, turning once, until the coating is golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
- Sprinkle with coarse salt and serve hot with lemon wedges.
Tips
- Use cold sparkling water, which keeps the batter light and crisp. Do not overmix, since a few small lumps are fine.
- Fry in small batches and let the oil return to 180°C (350°F) between them so the coating stays crisp rather than greasy.
Questions and answers
Can I make peixinhos da horta ahead of time?
They are best eaten right away. You can blanch the beans and mix the batter a few hours ahead, then fry just before serving.
Can I bake or air-fry peixinhos da horta?
A baked version is not crisp like the original, and a wet batter does not suit an air fryer. Deep-frying or shallow-frying works best.
What do you serve with peixinhos da horta?
Lemon wedges are the usual accompaniment. They work as a starter, a party snack or a side for grilled fish.
How long does it take to make Peixinhos da Horta (Portuguese Fried Green Beans)?
About 45 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Peixinhos da Horta (Portuguese Fried Green Beans)?
About 150 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 19 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 150 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 19 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 230 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
