Zatarain's New Orleans-Style Fish Fri Breading Mix for Backyard Fish Fries and Tailgate Cookouts
Zatarain's New Orleans-Style Fish Fri Breading Mix for Backyard Fish Fries and Tailgate Cookouts
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Why you'll love it
- Authentic New Orleans-style flavor without needing to blend your own spices
- All-in-one fully seasoned coating eliminates the need for separate spices
- Three flexible cooking methods (deep fry, pan fry, bake) suit any kitchen setup
- Large 5.75 lb bulk size is economical for big gatherings and frequent cooks
- Versatile enough to handle seafood, vegetables, and chicken with one mix
- Real lemon in the blend delivers a brighter, fresher-tasting crust
- Large quantity/bag size is a great value compared to small in-store pouches
- Light and crispy coating that isn't too thick
- Works well for gluten-free and dairy-free diets
- Easy-to-pour jug container
- Sticks well to fish, shrimp, and vegetables
- Doesn't get soggy when fried
- Works for both deep-frying and pan-frying
- Cheaper per ounce than the small boxes in stores
Perfect for
- Coating and frying catfish, shrimp, or oysters for a Southern-style dinner
- Hosting a backyard fish fry or tailgate gathering for a crowd
- Breading and frying okra, hush puppies, or other vegetables as a side dish
- Making a quick weeknight meal by baking breaded fish fillets in the oven
- Preparing crispy fried chicken using a single seasoned coating mix
- Making onion rings
- Breading pork
- Coating vegetables
- Making fried chicken sandwiches
- Making chicken fingers
- Vacuum sealing in batches for freshness after opening
About this item
Zatarain's Seasoned Fish Fri brings authentic New Orleans-style flavor to your kitchen! This fully seasoned, corn-based breading mix offers a coating to fish and other seafood and vegetables. Now you can make every day a fish fry day. This is the same corn base as our Wonderful Fish-Fri but seasoned with a blend of red pepper, garlic, onion, real lemon. The golden coating mix is perfect for seafood of any kind – try on catfish, shrimp or oysters. Great also for delicious fried vegetables (of course, fried okra will do any day) and fried chicken. Simply roll in the seafood breading and pan fry, deep fry or bake to a light golden brown, and in no time, you and your family can enjoy the flavor and soul of The Big Easy!USAGE TIPS - DEEP FRYING DIRECTIONS1. FILL deep fryer no more than 1/3 full with oil. Heat oil to 350°F on medium heat.2. POUR Zatarain’s Seasoned Fish Fri onto plate or into plastic bag. Use 1/2 cup Fish Fri per 1 lb. fish. Roll or shake fish in Fish Fri until evenly coated. Discard any remaining Fish Fri mixture on plate or in plastic bag.3. FRY fish, a few pieces at a time, in hot oil until light golden brown. Drain on paper towels.Note: For thicker coating, dip fish in 1/2 cup milk mixed with 1 lightly beaten egg, before rolling in Fish Fri.PAN FRYING DIRECTIONS1. POUR 1 inch of vegetable oil into large skillet. Heat oil to 350°F on medium heat.2. COAT and fry fish as directed above. BAKING DIRECTIONS1. BRUSH 1 lb. fish fillets on both sides with oil. Pour Fish Fri onto plate. Roll fish in Fish Fri until evenly coated. Discard any remaining Fish Fri mixture on plate.2. PLACE fish on shallow baking pan sprayed with no stick cooking spray. Spray top of fish with cooking spray.3. BAKE in preheated 450ºF oven 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Product Dimensions : 5.85 x 5.85 x 10.49 inches; 6.11 Pounds
- Ingredients: Enriched Corn Flour (Corn Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Salt, Spices (Including Red Pepper), Natural Flavor, Monosodium Glutamate (Flavor Enhancer), Garlic, Onion, and Lemon Juice Concentrate.
- Nutritional value: On the product
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this breading travel well in a cooler or camp box for outdoor fish fries?
Yes. The resealable 5.75 lb jug keeps the seasoned corn coating dry and protected, so it holds up in a cooler, camp box, or tailgate bin as long as you keep moisture out. Just reseal tightly after each use at the campsite or picnic table.
Can I use Zatarain's Fish Fri on a portable outdoor deep fryer or turkey fryer setup?
Absolutely. The breading works with any standard outdoor deep fryer, propane fish fryer, or turkey fryer pot. It clings well to fish, shrimp, and oysters right out of the jug, so you can bread in a paper bag or bowl and drop directly into hot oil outside.
Will the coating stay crispy if food has to sit out on a buffet table for a tailgate?
Yes. The fully seasoned corn-based blend is designed to crisp up and hold its crunch rather than going soggy. For best results at a tailgate, fry in small batches and set finished pieces on a wire rack over a tray so air circulates underneath.
Is this bulk size practical for a big outdoor gathering or fish fry fundraiser?
It is a great fit. A single 5.75 lb jug can bread multiple batches of catfish, shrimp, and hush puppies for 20 to 40 people depending on portions, so most hosts only need one bag per event. The easy-pour jug also speeds up restocking between batches.
Does the breading work on a campfire cast iron skillet for outdoor cooking?
Yes. You can pan fry with this coating over a campfire or outdoor burner. Lightly oil the cast iron, dredge your fillets or shrimp, and fry 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden. The seasoned crust holds up well over open-flame heat.
Can I pre-bread the seafood at home and bring it in a cooler to fry on site?
Yes, that is a popular tailgate move. Pat the protein dry, dredge in Zatarain's Fish Fri, and arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray inside a cooler with ice packs. Breaded pieces hold for a few hours before frying.
Is this the same Fish Fri used at Louisiana fish fry stands and food trucks?
It is the same Zatarain's New Orleans-style seasoned coating found at fish fry stands, with a corn base, red pepper, garlic, onion, and real lemon. It gives you that same classic crispy crust whether you are cooking at home or in a food truck setup.
How do I keep flies and debris off the breading station outdoors?
Work in a covered area if possible, keep the jug closed between dredges, and set up your breading tray away from the windward side of the fryer. A simple mesh food tent over the holding tray also helps at picnics and tailgates.
Does the bag hold up if I leave it in a hot car on the way to a cookout?
The jug form is sturdier than a paper bag, but you should still avoid leaving it in a hot trunk for hours. Heat can shorten shelf life and clump the coating. Transport it in a cooler or shaded cargo area for best results.
Can I use this for an outdoor oyster roast or seafood boil side dish?
Yes, it is perfect for the breaded and fried oyster side of an oyster roast. Dredge fresh oysters, drop into 350 to 375°F oil, and fry about 2 minutes until golden. It pairs well with the rest of a Cajun seafood spread.
Will the seasoned coating blow around in the wind during outdoor breading?
It can if you dredge loosely outdoors, so use a deep bowl, paper bag, or a zip-top plastic bag for breading. The zip-top method keeps the mess contained and the coating on the food, which is especially helpful on a breezy deck or pier.
Is the 5.75 lb jug easy to pour for a crowd without spilling?
Yes. The jug is designed with a wide handle and a controlled pour spout so you can refill breading bowls at a buffet or fish station without making a mess. It is much easier to manage than cutting open and folding a giant paper sack.
How long does fried food stay crispy outdoors in warm weather?
Fried food from this coating typically stays crispy 20 to 30 minutes at outdoor temperatures. For longer tailgates, hold finished pieces in a 200°F oven or on a warming rack and fry a fresh batch right before serving.
Does the breading work on a flat top griddle outdoors for a hybrid fry setup?
It works best with oil immersion, but you can pan fry on a flat top by adding about a quarter inch of oil and cooking dredged pieces for 2 to 3 minutes per side. The result is a crispy, golden crust similar to deep frying.
Can I use this at a campsite with no electricity for an oven-bake option?
Oven baking requires heat, so it is not the right method without a power source. For campsites, stick to pan frying in a cast iron skillet or deep frying in a camp dutch oven. The breading performs the same way as it would in a home kitchen.
Is this bulk size cheaper per ounce than buying smaller boxes at the grocery store?
Yes. The 5.75 lb jug is a significantly better value per ounce than the small 8 to 12 oz boxes found in most grocery aisles. It is the format most Southern cooks and fish fry hosts prefer for that reason.
How do I bread fish or shrimp with Zatarain's Fish Fri for the crispiest results?
Pat the protein completely dry with paper towels, then dredge in a shallow bowl or seal in a zip-top plastic bag with the breading. Press the coating on gently so it adheres, rest for 1 to 2 minutes, and fry in 350 to 375°F oil for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown.
Can I use this breading to make a thicker batter-style coating?
Yes. For a heartier crust, whisk together 1 cup of Fish Fri with 1 egg and about 1/3 cup of milk until smooth, then dip your protein in the batter before frying. This creates a thicker, more traditional Southern-style coating that is great for chicken and onion rings.
How do I bake breaded fish or chicken in the oven with this mix?
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Dip fillets or tenders in milk or buttermilk, dredge in Fish Fri, and place on a greased wire rack over a sheet pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, flipping once, until the coating is golden and the internal temperature reaches 145°F for fish or 165°F for chicken.
Does this breading work in an air fryer?
Yes. Lightly mist breaded pieces with cooking oil, arrange in a single layer in the basket, and air fry at 375 to 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The seasoned corn coating crisps up nicely with little to no added oil.
Is this breading mix gluten free and dairy free?
Yes, the standard Zatarain's Seasoned Fish Fri is formulated to be gluten free and dairy free. Always confirm the current label for the most up-to-date allergen and ingredient information before serving to anyone with allergies or sensitivities.
What is included in the jug and do I need to buy anything else to start frying?
The jug contains 5.75 lb of fully seasoned corn-based breading mix with red pepper, garlic, onion, and real lemon. You supply the protein, oil, and basic kitchen tools like a deep fryer, heavy pot, or skillet and tongs. No additional spices are required because the blend is fully seasoned.
Does this breading contain any allergens I should know about?
The standard blend is gluten free and dairy free. It is corn-based, so anyone with a corn allergy should avoid it. Always check the most current label for the full ingredient and allergen statement, as formulations can change over time.
How should I store the breading after opening the jug?
Reseal the jug tightly and store it in a cool, dry pantry away from heat and direct sunlight. For longest freshness, you can also vacuum seal portions in smaller bags. Properly stored, the breading will stay fresh and flavorful for the full printed shelf life.
What is the difference between a seasoned fish fry breading and plain cornmeal?
Plain yellow cornmeal is just ground corn with no flavor, so you have to add salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, and other spices separately to get a Cajun-style crust. A seasoned breading like Zatarain's Fish Fri already includes the spices, salt, and aromatics, so you get a fully flavored crust in one dredge with no measuring.
