Fried Anchovies and Sage

Delight your taste buds with the ultimate seaside-inspired appetizer: Fried Anchovies and Sage. This quick and easy recipe combines the delicate, briny flavor of crispy-fried anchovies with the aromatic crunch of golden sage leaves, creating a harmonious pairing of textures and tastes. Fresh anchovies are coated in seasoned flour, dipped in a light egg wash, and perfectly breaded for a crunchy exterior that locks in their tender, flaky goodness. Sage leaves get the same crispy treatment for a subtle herbaceous touch. Fried to golden perfection in olive oil, this dish is ready in mere minutes and pairs beautifully with a squeeze of fresh lemon for a zesty finish. Perfect as an appetizer or a snack, this crowd-pleasing dish brings a bit of coastal charm to your table in just 30 minutes!

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Fresh anchovies (cleaned and gutted)
• 20 pieces Fresh sage leaves
• 100 grams All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 pieces Egg
• 2 tablespoons Milk
• 150 grams Bread crumbs
• 500 milliliters Olive oil (or vegetable oil) for frying
• 1 piece Lemon (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the cleaned anchovies under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.

Step 2

In a shallow bowl, mix the all-purpose flour with salt and black pepper.

Step 3

In another bowl, beat the eggs with the milk until well combined.

Step 4

Place the bread crumbs in a third bowl or shallow plate.

Step 5

Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet or frying pan over medium heat until it reaches 180°C (350°F). If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a small piece of bread into the oil—it should sizzle and turn golden in about 30 seconds.

Step 6

Dip each anchovy into the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then into the egg mixture, and finally coat it in bread crumbs. Repeat for all anchovies.

Step 7

For the sage, dip each leaf briefly into the egg mixture and coat with bread crumbs.

Step 8

Carefully fry the anchovies in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on a plate lined with paper towels.

Step 9

Fry the sage leaves for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until crispy, and drain on paper towels.

Step 10

Serve the fried anchovies and sage immediately with fresh lemon wedges on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1455 grams (1455.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6131

Total Fat 548.90g	704%
Saturated Fat 84.00g	420%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.50g
Cholesterol 695mg	232%
Sodium 4197mg	182%
Total Carbohydrate 196.80g	72%
Dietary Fiber 14.40g	51%
Total Sugars 15.10g
Protein 146.90g	294%

Vitamin D 1109IU	5545%
Calcium 1203mg	93%
Iron 33mg	186%
Potassium 2662mg	57%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 78.2%

Protein: 9.3%

Carbs: 12.5%