Bacalaitos (Codfish Fritters) Recipe
- Makes: Approximately 30 fritters
- Nutritional Info Per Fritter: 120 Calories, 8g Total Fat, 1g Saturated Fat, 6g Carbs, 0g Fiber, 1g Sugar, 6g Protein, 14mg Cholesterol, 556mg Sodium
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound salted cod, soaked overnight in 3 cups milk
- 4 1/2 cups water
- 3 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 small onion, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 small sweet red bell pepper, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
- 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
- Cooking oil for frying
Instructions
- Pour off the soaking milk from the cod. In a pot, combine the fish with 3 cups of water and the 3 cups of milk. Bring to a boil and simmer until cod is soft and flaky, about 2030 minutes.
- Remove the fish from the liquid, let it cool, and shred it into small pieces.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Gradually mix in the remaining 1 1/2 cups water to create a smooth batter.
- Add the shredded cod, diced onion, red bell pepper, crushed garlic, and chopped cilantro to the batter. Stir until just combinedavoid overmixing.
- Heat frying oil in a deep pan to 350F (175C). Carefully drop heaping spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil in batches and fry until deep golden brown and crispy, a few minutes per side.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacalaitos and drain them on paper towels.
- Serve hotbacalaitos are best fresh from the fryer.
Tips and Additional Notes
- Soak the salted cod properly to remove excess salt before cooking.
- For extra flavor, stir in a spoonful of sofrito or swap half the cilantro for fresh culantro if you have it.
- To lighten the batter, increase the baking powder slightly.
- These fritters make a great snack or appetizer and pair well with dipping sauces.
Categories:
- Traditional Puerto Rican dish
- Popular street food
- Great for gatherings or parties
