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I struggle to get crispy skin when pan frying fillets. What's the secret?

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4 Answers

up vote 10 down vote

You need a hot pan. Use either clarified butter or an oil that can withstand high temperatures without burning. The oil should be quite hot but not at smoking point otherwise the fish closest to the skin will be overcooked and the skin will be charred as well as crispy.

The pan shouldn't be quite as hot when it comes time to cook the fish skin-up.

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It's also best to use a non-stick pan so that the skin stays attached to the fish. – Chris Steinbach Mar 13 '11 at 20:07
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I disagree (re: non-stick). If you're using a non-stick pan you can't safely go to the temperature you need to sear the fish. If you're using stainless steel you can get it SCREAMING hot and the fish won't stick, and will crisp much better. If you're having problems with sticking in stainless steel, you're likely not properly heating your pan, watch the videos here: houseboateats.com/2009/12/on-properly-heating-your-pan.html – stephennmcdonald Mar 14 '11 at 15:34
@stephannmcdonald I take your point, although very few cooking oils have a smoking point above 500 °F, the temperature at which Teflon begins to degrade. – Chris Steinbach Mar 14 '11 at 21:38
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@Chris, If you heat a non-stick pan dry, it will get well above 500 F in a matter of about 2 minutes (depending on setting). It's all a matter of proper pan use, as long as you're heating it with the oil in it, you should be safe as long as you don't have your knob on 10/10. If you heat it dry, studies have shown (and my laser temp gun has verified) that it's very easy to get a dry pan to 500 F or higher in a matter of minutes. Plus, just because the oil isn't 500 F doesn't mean the pan isn't, which a lot of people don't realize. Heat takes time to transfer. – stephennmcdonald Apr 1 '11 at 15:10
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@Click, it depends on the thickness and type of fish. If you've seared both sides and you still feel the fish is raw, you throw the pan in a pre-heated oven for a few to finish it - yet another benefit of using a stainless steel pan :) – stephennmcdonald Apr 1 '11 at 15:12
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up vote 6 down vote

A good tip is not to move the fish around too much in the pan. Just leave it in place until it should be about ready to turn (You can gently lift a corner of the fish to check but just don't shake it around in the pan very much).

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up vote 4 down vote

Do not crowd too many pieces of fish if you are frying little pieces. The pan and oil have to be VERY hot. Do not shake the pan.

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up vote 2 down vote

The thing that gives you a crispy skin is lightly dredging the fillets in seasoned flour. Shake off any excess. I use half regular butter and half olive oil, and add the fillets when the water in the butter has boiled off but before the butter has browned much.

Flip the fillets only once.

As mentioned, don't crowd the pan, as you need any water to escape so that the fish grills, rather than steams.

When done, put the fillets on a plate, then deglaze the pan with butter and lemon juice to make a nice sauce for the fish. You can also add slivered almonds and/or capers.

But the flour is what takes care of the browning/crispiness and it works every time.

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