Pan-Fried Yellowtail Snapper

This Pan-fried Yellowtail Snapper recipe is delicious! I've breaded it with almond flour and some seasonings and then pan-fried it in olive oil and butter. Yellowtail is abundant in South Florida. They are relatively small and have sweet, flaky meat and a mild taste, making them perfect for a quick pan fry.

How to Purchase Florida Yellowtail

Come to the Florida Keys! What are you waiting for? You can catch your own or visit a local fish market (not the big grocery stores) to get fresh fish.

When purchasing any fresh fish, the fish should have clear eyes and red moist fins. The fish should not smell fishy, yet it should smell like the sea.

The flesh of yellowtail fillets should be moist and brightly colored. The tail and fins should be intact and show no signs of wear and tear. When purchasing, have the fishmonger remove the bones for you.

What You Need

• Fresh Yellowtail
• Almond Flour
• Garlic Powder
• Salt and Pepper
• Light Olive Oil
• Unsalted Butter
• Lemon

How to Pan Fry Yellowtail Snapper

I've dredged the fish in almond flour and spices. If you prefer, you can use rice flour, white or brown, or your favorite breadcrumbs.

• Rinse fish under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.
• On a dinner plate, combine almond flour with a teaspoon of salt, pepper, and garlic powder until evenly mixed.
• Spread the flour mixture on a dinner plate. Dredge fish in flour, so all sides are evenly coated. Gently shake off any excess flour.
• Heat the butter and oil over medium-high heat in a large sauté pan or skillet. You can use a 10" or 12" skillet. When foam subsides, add fish in a single layer.
• Fry fish for three minutes without moving and then carefully turn it over using a fish turner or wide spatula. Squeeze half a lemon over the fish.
• Cook for an additional two to three minutes and carefully move to a serving plate. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with fresh lemon wedges.

Alternative Cooking Methods

Baking is a simple alternative to frying fish fillets.

Try this Roasted Yellowtail Snapper recipe to learn how to season the Yellowtail fish with Old Bay, a classic seasoning. Then, dot it with butter and bake it in the oven until it becomes flaky. It’s a simple, no-fuss way to enjoy a delicious and healthy meal!

Or, you can try Air Fryer Snapper Fish Fillets, which is an unbreaded crispy fish and vegetable dish.

What To Serve With Fried Fish

When cooking fish, cook your sides, prepare your sauces, and then cook the fish. White fish fillets like this snapper cook in minutes and everything will be done at the same time.

Here are some great sides to go with Fried Yellowtail Snapper:

• Roasted Russet Potatoes with Garlic
• Oven Roasted Vegetables
• Lemon Asparagus Rice
• Roasted Tiny Red Potatoes
• Steamed Broccoli and Carrots
• Mango Pico de Gallo
• Oven Roasted Broccoli

How to Garnish Snapper

Garnishing snapper can add visual appeal and a touch more flavor to your dish.

Lemon and Parsley: Your fish dinner wouldn't be the same without the customary lemon wedge. A sprig or sprinkle of chopped parsley is always sweet. It's a simple yet essential touch that enhances the plate.

As for parsley, a small sprig can be used as a garnish on the side or chopped finely and sprinkled over the fish for a burst of flavor. Together, they elevate the dish and add lots of bright colors.

Here are some other popular garnishes for your fish dinner:

1. Sauces: Drizzling sauce over the snapper can enhance flavor and presentation. Try our homemade tartar sauce recipe and place it in a small ramekin on each serving plate.
2. Crunchy Elements: Since this yellowtail is already coated with almond flour, add a crunchy garnish like fried onions.
3. Microgreens: These tiny, delicate greens can be scattered over the dish for a pop of color and flavor. Microgreens like broccoli, pea shoots, or radish sprouts work well.

When garnishing your fish dinner, have fun and make your dish look extra special.

How to Store Leftovers

You can refrigerate your leftovers in a sealed container for one day. I don't recommend freezing.

Use a skillet over low heat to reheat the fish. You can also microwave for about a minute.

Try These Florida Keys Dishes for Your Next Meal

• Yellowtail Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sauce
• Pan Fried Yellowtail Snapper with Panko Breadcrumbs
• Seared Mahimahi with Basil Butter
• Pan Fried Mahi
• Seared and Blackened Yellowfin Tuna
• Blackened Swordfish
• Baked Mahi Mahi

These are our favorite shrimp dishes:

• Florida Keys Pink Shrimp Salad
• Peel 'n Eat Shrimp
• Sautéed Shrimp with Coconut Aminos
• Stone Crabs with Mustard Sauce
• Blackened Shrimp with Butter Sauce

Don't forget dessert: try our Authentic Key West Key Lime Pie!

FAQ

Takeaway

Yellowtail is abundant in South Florida. Yellowtail snapper is a small fish, about 12 inches long, with sweet, flaky meat and a mild taste, making it perfect for a quick pan fry.

When shopping for yellowtail, look for pink fillets; as the fish ages, it turns gray. Fresh fish should have a faint smell of seawater, not a fishy odor.

Pan-fried yellowtail snapper is a delicious meal.

Hogfish, mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, triple tail, and red snapper can all be substituted for yellowtail.

I breaded the fish with almond flour and some seasonings, then pan-fried it in olive oil and butter.

Next time you're in Key Largo, Key West, or any of the islands in between, you must try fresh yellowtail!

"📖 Recipe"