Zatarain's All-in-One Fish Fri Breading for Stress-Free Weeknight Family Dinners
Zatarain's All-in-One Fish Fri Breading for Stress-Free Weeknight Family Dinners
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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
How fast can I get a weeknight dinner on the table using this breading?
Most weeknight meals go from fridge to plate in about 15 to 20 minutes. Pat protein dry, dredge in the breading, and pan fry 3 to 4 minutes per side, or bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. The fully seasoned blend means you skip measuring out a separate spice mix.
Can I mix this in a big batch on Sunday and use it all week for meal prep?
Yes. Many home cooks pour the jug into a large airtight container and pull out portions as needed for fish, chicken, or vegetables through the week. Keep it sealed and dry, and it will stay fresh for the full printed shelf life.
Does the breading work for oven baking when I do not want to deal with hot oil after work?
Absolutely. Oven baking is one of the three recommended methods. Dip fillets in milk or buttermilk, dredge in Fish Fri, set on a greased rack over a sheet pan, and bake at 425°F for 12 to 15 minutes. You get a crispy, golden crust with almost no cleanup.
Can I bread multiple proteins at once and freeze them for fast dinners later?
Yes. Dredge catfish fillets, chicken strips, or shrimp in Zatarain's Fish Fri, arrange on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to the fry or bake time.
Is the easy-pour jug actually faster than wrestling a paper bag open during dinner rush?
It is noticeably faster. The wide handle and pour spout let you refill your breading bowl or paper bag in one motion. There is no cutting, no spilling, and no awkward folding, which is a real time saver when you are frying in batches.
Does this work well in an air fryer for a quick office-lunch style protein?
Yes. Lightly spray or mist breaded pieces with oil, then air fry at 375 to 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway. The seasoned crust crisps up nicely and there is almost no oil mess to clean up after.
Can I keep a portion of the breading in a shaker by the stove for everyday use?
Yes. Decant a working amount into a shaker or small container and store the rest of the jug sealed. This way you can grab a pinch of coating for a quick pan-seared fillet without hauling the full 5.75 lb jug to the stove every night.
Does the seasoned blend help me skip a grocery run for extra spices?
It does. The breading already includes red pepper, garlic, onion, and real lemon, so you do not need to buy separate Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, or lemon pepper. That alone can save a trip to the store on a busy week.
Will the breading stay fresh for the full printed shelf life once the jug is opened?
Yes, as long as you reseal the jug tightly and store it in a cool, dry pantry. Many home cooks report the 5.75 lb jug lasting them several months of regular weeknight use without any loss of flavor or crispness.
Can I vacuum seal the breading in smaller bags for long-term storage?
Yes, vacuum sealing is a great option, especially after opening. Portion the seasoned coating into meal-sized bags, vacuum seal, and store in the pantry. It keeps the breading fresher, prevents pantry pests, and locks in the lemon and spice aroma.
Does the breading help me get dinner on the table when I have no time to marinate?
Yes. Because the blend is fully seasoned, you can dredge and cook immediately without brining or marinating. The lemon, garlic, and onion in the mix give you a flavorful crust right out of the bag, which is a big time saver on hectic evenings.
Can I use this to coat frozen fish sticks or shrimp straight from the freezer?
For best results, thaw and pat dry first so the breading sticks. If you are in a rush, you can dredge frozen pieces and extend the cook time by 2 to 3 minutes, but the crust will be more even and crispy if you take 10 minutes to thaw.
Does the breading work for a sheet pan dinner with vegetables on the side?
Yes. Coat chicken tenders or fish strips and arrange on one half of a sheet pan with vegetables on the other half. Bake at 425°F for 15 to 18 minutes, and the entire meal comes out of one pan, which keeps cleanup to a minimum.
Is the 5.75 lb size practical if I only cook for two adults most nights?
It can be. Many couples go through the jug over 2 to 3 months of regular dinners. If you vacuum seal or decant into smaller containers, it stays fresh and the per-ounce cost is much lower than smaller boxes, so it is still a smart buy.
Does the breading help me feed guests on short notice without a long prep ritual?
Yes. The all-in-one seasoned blend cuts out a long prep routine. You can bread and fry a pound of shrimp or fish in about 10 minutes once the oil is hot, which is ideal when friends text that they are on the way over.
Can I use this to make a quick fried chicken sandwich for lunch?
Yes. Pound a chicken breast thin, dredge in Fish Fri mixed with a little extra yellow cornmeal, pan fry 3 to 4 minutes per side, and serve on a brioche bun with slaw or pickles. It is a fast, crispy sandwich that tastes like a Southern kitchen.
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.
