Cheesy Puerto Rican Bacalaitos with Salted Cod

Name: Cheesy Puerto Rican Bacalaitos with Salted Cod
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: Salted cod fillets; Water; Water (for boiling); All-purpose flour; Grated cheddar cheese; Baking powder; Finely chopped onions; Finely chopped bell pepper; Garlic cloves, minced; Fresh parsley, chopped; Paprika; Black pepper; Cold water; Olive oil; Mayonnaise; Lime juice; Hot sauce; Salt

Crispy Cod Fritters with a Cheesy Twist

Enjoy a Caribbean classic with a cheesy upgrade. These savory cod fritters are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and bursting with flavor.

1 h 30 min
8
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Salted Cod

Salted cod fillets

1 lb

Water

for soaking

Water (for boiling)

3 cups

For the Batter

All-purpose flour

1 cup

Grated cheddar cheese

1 cup

Baking powder

1 tsp

Finely chopped onions

1/2 cup

Finely chopped bell pepper

1/4 cup

Garlic cloves, minced

2 cloves

Fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 cup

Paprika

1 tsp

Black pepper

1/2 tsp

Cold water

1 cup

Olive oil

for frying

For the Dipping Sauce

Mayonnaise

1 cup

Lime juice

1 tbsp

Hot sauce

1 tsp

Salt

Pinch

Preparation

Preparing the Salted Cod

Rinse cod

Rinse the salted cod under cold water to remove excess salt.

Soak cod

Soak the cod in a bowl of cold water for 1 hour, changing the water every 20 minutes.

Boil cod

Drain the cod, place it into a pot with fresh water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes until tender.

Ensure the cod is thoroughly desalted to avoid an overly salty fritter.

Preparing the Batter

Combine dry ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the flour, cheddar cheese, baking powder, onions, bell pepper, garlic, parsley, paprika, and black pepper.

Add water

Slowly add cold water, stirring continuously, until you achieve a smooth batter.

Use ice-cold water for the batter to ensure a lighter, crisper fry.

Fold in cod

Gently fold in the flaked cod, ensuring even distribution.

Cooking Process

Frying the Fritters

Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the oil.

Flipping the Fritters

Fry each side until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Draining the Fritters

Remove and drain on a plate lined with paper towels.

Plating & Serving