Jamaican-Style Saltfish Fritters
Jamaican-Style Saltfish Fritters
Ingredients
For the Fritters
- 200–250 g saltfish
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 orange bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 small onion, finely diced
- 2 spring onions, sliced
- 2–3 tablespoons pepper mix, blended (garlic, mixed peppers, onion, spring onion, parsley, olive oil)
- as needed water, to loosen batter
- as needed oil, for frying
For Serving (Optional)
- as needed pepper mix
- as needed salt
- as needed vinegar
- as needed mayonnaise
- as needed spring onion, for garnish
- as needed parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Soak the saltfish in water for at least 30 minutes. Then, place the soaked saltfish in a pot, cover with fresh water, and bring to a boil. Drain the water, add fresh water again, and boil a second time to remove excess salt. Once boiled, flake the saltfish with a fork and set it aside to cool.
⏱️ 20 min
- 2
To prepare the pepper mix, combine garlic cloves, mixed peppers (such as the remaining red and orange bell pepper, or other colorful peppers), onion, spring onion, parsley, and olive oil in a blender or food processor. Blend until a coarse, well-combined mixture is formed. This will be used in the fritter batter and for serving.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the plain flour and baking powder, whisking them together until well incorporated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Add the finely diced red bell pepper, finely diced orange bell pepper, finely diced small onion, and sliced spring onions to the flour mixture. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the prepared pepper mix and the flaked saltfish to the bowl with the dry ingredients and vegetables.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Gradually pour in water, a little at a time, while mixing the ingredients with a spatula or spoon. Continue adding water until a loose batter is formed. The batter should be thick enough to hold its shape but not too runny.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Cover the bowl with the batter and refrigerate for at least 20 to 30 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and the baking powder to activate.
⏱️ 30 min
- 8
Heat a generous amount of oil in a deep pot or large frying pan over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot enough for frying (around 350°F / 175°C).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350
- 9
Once the oil is hot, carefully spoon portions of the batter into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry the fritters for about 4 minutes total, turning them over after approximately 2 minutes, until they are golden brown and crisp on both sides.
⏱️ 15 min
- 10
Remove the fried fritters from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
⏱️ 1 min
- 11
Serve the Jamaican-Style Saltfish Fritters immediately. You can serve them with the remaining pepper mix, seasoned with a pinch of salt and a splash of vinegar. Alternatively, mix some of the pepper mix with mayonnaise for a quick pepper dip. Garnish with additional sliced spring onion and fresh parsley, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Jamaican-Style Saltfish Fritters
For the Fritters
- 200–250 g saltfish
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 orange bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 small onion, finely diced
- 2 spring onions, sliced
- 2–3 tablespoons pepper mix, blended (garlic, mixed peppers, onion, spring onion, parsley, olive oil)
- as needed water, to loosen batter
- as needed oil, for frying
For Serving (Optional)
- as needed pepper mix
- as needed salt
- as needed vinegar
- as needed mayonnaise
- as needed spring onion, for garnish
- as needed parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Soak the saltfish in water for at least 30 minutes. Then, place the soaked saltfish in a pot, cover with fresh water, and bring to a boil. Drain the water, add fresh water again, and boil a second time to remove excess salt. Once boiled, flake the saltfish with a fork and set it aside to cool.
⏱️ 20 min - 2
To prepare the pepper mix, combine garlic cloves, mixed peppers (such as the remaining red and orange bell pepper, or other colorful peppers), onion, spring onion, parsley, and olive oil in a blender or food processor. Blend until a coarse, well-combined mixture is formed. This will be used in the fritter batter and for serving.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the plain flour and baking powder, whisking them together until well incorporated.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Add the finely diced red bell pepper, finely diced orange bell pepper, finely diced small onion, and sliced spring onions to the flour mixture. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the prepared pepper mix and the flaked saltfish to the bowl with the dry ingredients and vegetables.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Gradually pour in water, a little at a time, while mixing the ingredients with a spatula or spoon. Continue adding water until a loose batter is formed. The batter should be thick enough to hold its shape but not too runny.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Cover the bowl with the batter and refrigerate for at least 20 to 30 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and the baking powder to activate.
⏱️ 30 min - 8
Heat a generous amount of oil in a deep pot or large frying pan over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot enough for frying (around 350°F / 175°C).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350 - 9
Once the oil is hot, carefully spoon portions of the batter into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry the fritters for about 4 minutes total, turning them over after approximately 2 minutes, until they are golden brown and crisp on both sides.
⏱️ 15 min - 10
Remove the fried fritters from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
⏱️ 1 min - 11
Serve the Jamaican-Style Saltfish Fritters immediately. You can serve them with the remaining pepper mix, seasoned with a pinch of salt and a splash of vinegar. Alternatively, mix some of the pepper mix with mayonnaise for a quick pepper dip. Garnish with additional sliced spring onion and fresh parsley, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min