Good Hot Fish's Crispy Trout Fingers

Good Hot Fish's Crispy Trout Fingers

Chef Ashleigh Shanti knows her way around a fish fry. The James Beard Award winner and chef-owner of Good Hot Fish has built her reputation on honoring Black Appalachian foodways and the Southern fish camp tradition, where crispy fried fish has been bringing people together for generations.

These trout fingers are her take on making that magic accessible for home cooks who might be intimidated by frying a whole fish. Cut into strips, they cook fast and stay tender, while the cornmeal coating gets perfectly crunchy with help from Good Hot Fish's Salt & Vinegar seasoning from our Made with Love in Asheville Collection.

That briny, tangy kick is what makes these trout fingers taste like the real deal without any of the fuss. This is cooking that feels special, the kind of recipe that turns you into the person who can casually fry fish on a Tuesday and make it look easy.

Recipe by Chef Ashleigh Shanti for the 10-Pack Made with Love in Asheville Collection.

  • Ingredients

    1 ½ pounds rainbow trout  
    2 teaspoons kosher salt  
    Neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed, for frying  
    1 Cup all-purpose flour  
    ¼ Cup rice flour  
    ¼ Cup fine yellow cornmeal  
    1 ½ Tablespoons of Spicewalla x Good Hot Fish Salt and Vinegar Seasoning
    ½ teaspoon dried sage 
    ½ teaspoon dried parsley  
    ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper  
    Lemon wedge for serving 

  • Print

    Preparation

    1. Pat the trout fillet dry with a paper towel. Slice it with the grain into 1-inch-wide strips to make 12 "fingers." Season the trout fingers evenly with I teaspoon of the salt. 
    2. Fill a Dutch oven with 1 inch of oil and clip a deep-fry thermometer to the side. Heat the oil over medium heat to 375°F. Set a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. 
    3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, the all-purpose flour, rice flour, cornmeal, Salt and Vinegar spice, sage, parsley, and pepper.
    4. Dredge each trout finger in the flour mixture, turning to coat and pressing to adhere, then shake off the excess.
    5. Working in batches, slowly add the breaded trout to the hot oil. Cook, flipping occasionally, until crispy and golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. 
    6. Transfer to the rack to drain. Repeat with the remaining trout, allowing the oil to return to 375°F between batches. 
    7. Serve the trout fingers with lemon wedges for squeezing. 

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