Skip to main content

Panfish and Vegetable Tempura Recipe

Small crappies, bluegills, or perch – any panfish will do for this tasty tempura recipe!

Panfish and Vegetable Tempura Recipe

In this recipe, panfish and seasonal veggies are battered and deep-fried until light and crunchy. Then the panfish and vegetable tempura is served with a fresh ginger dipping sauce. (Photo courtesy of Chef Lucia Watson)

Print Recipe

Small crappies and, particularly, bluegills are my favorite tempura fish, although many people prefer perch. Any panfish will do – as will finger-sized strips cut from the fillets of larger fish. Serve this Panfish Tempura Recipe with a dipping sauce like the ginger one I offer here.

Serves: 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes

Cook's Tip: The key to tempura is that the ingredients must be fresh and cold. Cut the vegetables into even-sized pieces and adjust cooking time for each. For example, a sweet potato must cook longer than a green pepper. Be sure the oil is at a constant minimum of 360 degrees and not much hotter. The batter should be lumpy and never mixed too well.

Ingredients:

  • 12 small panfish fillets, patted dry
  • Assorted fresh, seasonal vegetables of your choice cut into large pieces – green & red bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, red onions, snow peas, sweet potatoes

Batter:

  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups ice-cold beer (or water)
  • Extra flour for dipping, mixed with salt & pepper

Ginger Dipping Sauce:

  • 5 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, finely grated
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
  • 5 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon scallion, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lime, lemon, or orange juice
  • 2 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
  • Pinch of red chili flakes

Panfish Tempura Recipe
Panfish and Vegetable Tempura Recipe

Directions:

  1. Set up the ingredients in the frying area in assembly-line fashion: (1) prepared fish and vegetables, (2) flour for dipping, (3) batter, (4) fryer with oil, and (5) pan lined with paper towels to drain finished tempura.
  2. To make the Batter: Beat the eggs slightly, then add ice-cold beer (or water) and mix lightly. Add the flour and beat a few times with a fork or until the ingredients are loosely combined. The batter should be lumpy.
  3. Heat the oil to 360 degrees °F.
  4. Dip the fish and vegetables in flour, shake off the excess, and dip them in the batter. Slide the pieces into hot oil and fry until golden – about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve at once with dipping sauce.
  5. To make the Ginger Dipping Sauce: Combine ingredients and stir well.
  6. Serve Panfish and Vegetable Tempura with dipping sauce.



GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Al Lindner talks about his early muskie memories and how to find and catch more muskies. Lots has changed over recent de...
Gear

In-Fisherman Classics: Lake Trout on the Niagara Bar

Al Lindner talks about his early muskie memories and how to find and catch more muskies. Lots has changed over recent de...
Learn

In-Fisherman Storyline Hardcopy Edition: Ep14 - KFF with Mike Carney and Jeff Weakley

Al Lindner talks about his early muskie memories and how to find and catch more muskies. Lots has changed over recent de...
Destinations

In-Fisherman Storyline: Front Porch Edition with Dave Brinkerhoff and Bailey Eigbrett

Al Lindner talks about his early muskie memories and how to find and catch more muskies. Lots has changed over recent de...
Learn

In-Fisherman Storyline: Roadtrip Edition - The Tazin Lake Lodge Story

Al Lindner talks about his early muskie memories and how to find and catch more muskies. Lots has changed over recent de...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Muskie Mechanics and Why We Chase Muskies

Al Lindner talks about his early muskie memories and how to find and catch more muskies. Lots has changed over recent de...
Learn

In-Fisherman Storyline Ep11 - Nexus Outdoors Owner Aaron Ambur

Al Lindner talks about his early muskie memories and how to find and catch more muskies. Lots has changed over recent de...
Learn

In-Fisherman Storyline: Roadtrip Edition, The Jon Bondy Story

Al Lindner talks about his early muskie memories and how to find and catch more muskies. Lots has changed over recent de...
Learn

In-Fisherman Storyline: Front Porch Edition with Josh Douglas and Shawn Budiac at X2Power

Al Lindner talks about his early muskie memories and how to find and catch more muskies. Lots has changed over recent de...
Gear

The ALL-NEW Shimano Vanford A: The Measure in Performance

Al Lindner talks about his early muskie memories and how to find and catch more muskies. Lots has changed over recent de...
Destinations

In-Fisherman Classics: Road Hunting Big Manitoba Pike

Al Lindner talks about his early muskie memories and how to find and catch more muskies. Lots has changed over recent de...
Learn

In-Fisherman Classics: Understanding Northern Pike Behavior in Warming Water

Al Lindner talks about his early muskie memories and how to find and catch more muskies. Lots has changed over recent de...
Gear

In-Fisherman Classics: Muskie Mechanics and Why We Chase Muskies

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the In-Fisherman App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top In-Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top In-Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use