Grouper Cheeks Recipe (Fried to Perfection)!

Feature image of fried grouper cheeks on a wire rack.

5 from 3 votes

Grouper Cheeks Recipe (Fried to Perfection)!

This crispy Grouper Cheeks Recipe creates tender, flaky fried fish bites with a golden crust and a hint of fresh lemon in under 30 minutes.

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Total Time25

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Seafood

Servings:

Calories: 277kcal

Author: Jami Powell

Equipment

Large Cast-iron skillet
Tongs
Plate lined with paper or wire rack

Ingredients

1 lb grouper cheeks cleaned and patted dry
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs beaten
1 cup Italian-style bread crumbs Vigo recommended
Juice of 1 lemon
Vegetable or Peanut oil for frying

Instructions

In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper. In a second dish, beat the eggs until well combined. Place bread crumbs in a third dish.
Lightly coat each grouper cheek in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the beaten eggs, allowing the excess to drip off. Press into the bread crumbs until fully coated on all sides.
Heat 1 inch of vegetable or peanut oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat (350°F if using a thermometer).
Fry in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack to drain. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and serve immediately.

Notes

Storage For optimal freshness, enjoy the grouper cheeks immediately. They are best served hot and crispy.

Freeze This dish is not freezer-friendly.

Reheat To reheat grouper cheeks, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until warmed through.

Substitutions

Nuggets: If red grouper cheeks are unavailable, you can substitute them with other mild-flavored fish cheeks such as snapper or halibut.
Diet: For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Flavor: Experiment with different types of bread crumbs. We sometimes use cornmeal mixed with a traditional Lousiana Fish Fry or panko bread crumbs.

Adjustments Cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the geography of the area (high vs. low elevation), cookware (stoneware vs traditional bakeware), and outdoor temperature if grilling.

Nutrition information is only an estimate

Nutrition