Appetizer · Indian · Dinner ·

Amritsari Fish Fry with Carom Seed Batter

Name: Amritsari Fish Fry with Carom Seed Batter
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 500g fish fillets, Firm white fish like cod or basa, cleaned and deboned; 2 tablespoons lemon juice, Freshly squeezed; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 cup gram flour (besan); 2 tablespoons rice flour, For extra crispiness; 1 teaspoon red chili powder; 1 teaspoon turmeric powder; 1 tablespoon carom seeds, Ajwain; 2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste; Salt to taste; 1/2 cup water, Adjust for consistency; Oil for deep frying

Savor this crispy, spicy Amritsari fish fry from the heart of Punjab. This dish offers the perfect blend of tangy spices and aromatic carom seeds.

4.4(722 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 13, 2025

Amritsari Fish Fry with Carom Seed Batter — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

20 min

Cook

1 h

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Fish Marinade

For the Batter

For Frying

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 470 kcal
Protein: 52.33 g
Carbs: 20.48 g
Fat: 20.43 g
Fiber: 3.53 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1881 kcal
Protein: 209.3 g
Carbs: 81.9 g
Fat: 81.7 g
Fiber: 14.1 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
500g fish fillets Firm white fish like cod or basa, cleaned and deboned	900	185	0	20	0
2 tablespoons lemon juice Freshly squeezed	8	0.1	2.5	0	0.1
1 teaspoon salt	0	0	0	0	0
1 cup gram flour (besan)	357	21	53	6	10
2 tablespoons rice flour For extra crispiness	58	0.5	13	0.1	0.2
1 teaspoon red chili powder	6	0.3	1	0.3	0.6
1 teaspoon turmeric powder	8	0.3	1.4	0.2	0.5
1 tablespoon carom seeds Ajwain	44	1.6	7	1	2.5
2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste	20	0.5	4	0.1	0.2
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1/2 cup water Adjust for consistency	0	0	0	0	0
Oil for deep frying	480	0	0	54	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Fish

1
Cut the fish
Cut the fish into even-sized pieces.
2
Combine lemon juice and salt
Combine lemon juice and salt in a bowl.
3
Marinate the fish
Rub this mixture over the fish pieces, allowing it to marinate for about 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator.

Preparing the Batter

1
Mix dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine gram flour, rice flour, red chili powder, turmeric, carom seeds, ginger-garlic paste, and salt.
Tip: Add a pinch of baking soda to the batter for extra fluffiness.
2
Add water
Gradually add water, stirring to form a smooth, thick batter.
3
Check consistency
Ensure the batter coats a spoon without dripping too quickly.
Tip: Ensure the fish is dry before dipping in the batter for maximum crispiness.

How to Make Amritsari Fish Fry with Carom Seed Batter

Total time: 1 h 20 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Dip the fish
Dip each marinated fish piece into the batter until well coated.
2
Fry the fish
Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the fish pieces until they turn golden brown.
3
Drain the fish
Remove fish from the oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.