Crispy Anchovies
Seafood·intermediate

Crispy Anchovies

Yield
Prep
Total
Serves 2 as a snack or appetizer
5m
13m
dairy-freenut-freepescatarianappetizersnackSpray Surface

These small, whole fish become incredibly crisp in the air fryer. Cornstarch helps to achieve maximum crunch. Follow this simple recipe and enjoy them head to tail, bones and all, in minutes.

Shop key ingredients at Walmart →
Pairs with Simple Salt & Pepper, Lemon Herb, Herbs de Provence, or Za'atarSee all seasonings →
  1. 01If the anchovies aren't already cleaned, pinch off the heads and pull out the guts in one motion. Rinse under cold water. Pat very dry.
  2. 02Toss the anchovies with cornstarch, salt, pepper, and paprika in a bowl. Shake off excess.
  3. 03That's it. No egg wash, no breadcrumbs. Cornstarch and dry heat is all these need.
  4. 04Ready for the air fryer.
Fresh or frozen whole anchovies are a completely different product from the salt-packed fillets in a tin. These are small, mild, whole fish that get eaten bones and all once they're crispy. You'll find them at Mediterranean, Asian, or well-stocked grocery stores in the freezer section.
people love this variationShare your own version →

How to Air Fry It

Temp
Cook
Prep
Flip?
360°F
8m
5m
Yes
  1. 01Preheat the air fryer to 360°F.
  2. 02Arrange the prepared anchovies in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  3. 03Air fry at 360°F for 8 minutes.
  4. 04Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crispiness.
  5. 05Remove from the air fryer, season with your chosen spice pack (see below), and serve immediately.

Lightly spray the basket or tray before cooking.

Recipe Notes

Be the first to share a tip or note about this recipe. What worked, what you changed, or what you'd do differently next time.

Season it up

Discussion

Loading comments...