Whitebait Fritters (New Zealand Whitebait Patties)
In short: Tiny whitebait bound with beaten egg and fried in butter until golden, a springtime New Zealand favorite served on bread with lemon. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 175 kcal
Whitebait fritters are a spring treat in New Zealand, when tiny, translucent fish run up the rivers from the sea and are caught in nets. The fish turn white as they cook, and the fritter is little more than whitebait held together with egg and fried in butter. They are often eaten on white bread with a squeeze of lemon, or on their own. The fish are delicate, so cook them briefly and serve at once.
Instructions
- If the whitebait is frozen, thaw it in a colander in the fridge, then drain well and pat dry.
- Beat the eggs lightly with the salt and pepper. Fold in the whitebait and the spring onion if using.
- Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat and melt half the butter until it foams.
- Spoon in about 1/4 cup of the mixture for each fritter and flatten it gently. Cook for 2 minutes until the base is golden and set.
- Flip and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, until the egg is firm and the fish is opaque white. Drain on paper towels.
- Repeat with the remaining butter and mixture. Serve hot with lemon wedges.
Tips
- If you cannot find whitebait, use about 300 g (10 oz) of tiny whole fish such as smelt, or flaked cooked white fish for a different but pleasant fritter.
- Do not crowd the pan. Fritters that touch will merge into one large pancake and take longer to set.
Questions and answers
Can I use frozen whitebait?
Yes. Thaw it in a colander in the fridge, then pat it dry. Wet fish makes watery fritters.
Why do my whitebait fritters fall apart?
There is too much fish for the egg, or the heat is too low. Keep to about 100 g of whitebait per egg and let the underside set before turning.
What do you eat with whitebait fritters?
White bread and butter with a squeeze of lemon is the classic. A green salad or tartare sauce also goes well.
How long does it take to make Whitebait Fritters (New Zealand Whitebait Patties)?
About 25 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Whitebait Fritters (New Zealand Whitebait Patties)?
About 175 kcal per serving, with 18 g of protein, 1 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 175 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 410 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
