Moroccan Fried Whiting Fish

By
Christine Benlafquih
Christine Benlafquih
Christine Benlafquih
Christine Benlafquih is a writer and cooking class instructor with a background in Moroccan cuisine.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/10/21
Whiting Moroccan fried fish recipe

The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

This easy fried fish recipe uses hake or whiting, which can usually be found in abundance in Morocco. Hake is seen to be the perfect fish for frying; not only does it have great mild flavor and texture, but the bones are easy to remove after cooking, making it less tedious to eat than other fish.

In Morocco, hake is referred to as merna, cola, or merluzza. Smaller whiting tends to be tastier than larger ones. Try to select fish that are 7-inch or less in length.

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Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Moroccan fried fish recipe
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  2. Wash each fish, checking to be sure the stomach cavities are clean; drain thoroughly.

    Wash the fish
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  3. Sprinkle the fish with about 2 teaspoons of the Moroccan Fish Spice, and a little bit of salt if desired. Alternatively, season the fish to taste with a light sprinkling of salt and pepper. 

    Sprinkle the fish with spices
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  4. Place the seasoned whiting in a colander set in a deep bowl and cover tightly; leave in the fridge until ready to cook. (The fish can be prepped up to this point and then refrigerated for up to a day.)

    Cover pot
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  5. When ready to fry, place the flour on a plate or shallow dish. Lightly coat the fish with the flour, shaking off the excess, and set aside in a single layer on a tray.

    Flour fish
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic 

  6. Pour enough vegetable oil into a frying pan to fully coat the bottom, and heat for 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat.

    Oil in pan
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  7. Cook the fish in batches, turning only once, until light to medium golden on both sides. Do not crowd the pan. Add a little more oil if needed. For very small whiting, the frying will only be several minutes on each side. For larger whiting, you might find it takes up to 7 to 8 minutes on each side.

    Cook the fish
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  8. Transfer the fish to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

    Transfer to plate
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic 

  9. Then transfer the fish to a serving platter. Serve room temperature or warm, with lemon wedges on the side, if desired.

    Serve fish
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

Tip

  • Have your fishmonger remove the heads and clean the cavities. Fish is best fried the same day as purchased, but if properly washed and drained, it will keep nicely until the next day.
  • The whiting can be seasoned with Moroccan Fish Spice or simply salt and pepper before frying. Serve it alone or as part of a Moroccan Fried Fish Dinner.
  • Leftover fried fish can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated the next day. Lay in a single layer on a baking sheet, and place in a preheated 350 F/180 C for about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
286 Calories
25g Fat
8g Carbs
8g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 286
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 4g 19%
Cholesterol 24mg 8%
Sodium 63mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 19mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 134mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)