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5.0 from 9 votes

Crispy Fish Skin Chips

These require a little time to make, but are worth the effort. Once the skins are fully dehydrated, they can be frozen indefinitely before thawing and frying.

Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Drying Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 49 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 411 kcal
Course: Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine: American , Mexican

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fish skins (see above)
  • oil for frying
  • salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Make sure the skins are fully scaled. Pick off any stray scales. Cut the skins into large pieces.
  2. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and add a few tablespoons of salt. Bring the water back to a boil after adding the skins and boil them for at least 1 minute, and up to 5 minutes for thick skins like sturgeon or shark. Most fish only need a minute or so.
  3. Remove the skins from the boiling water and lay them, meat side up, on a cutting board. Carefully, using a butter knife, scrape away all the meat and fat from the underside of the skin. This is a gentle process. You might rip the skin a few times, and that's OK. When each skin is clean, lay it on a dehydrator rack.
  4. Dehydrate the skins fully. You can do this at a range of temperatures. I go for about 140°F, but you can go higher or lower. You could also use your oven set on low, especially if it is a convection oven.
  5. When the skins are completely dry, so they snap when bent, you can fry them now or store the skin for a couple days in the fridge; you can also freeze them. Fry at 360°F one or two at a time. They will puff up instantaneously. Fry until the bubbles stop, about 30 seconds.
  6. The moment they come out of the fryer, dust with salt and whatever other seasoning you like. I love using Mexican Tajin.

Nutrition Information

Calories 411kcal (21%) Protein 46g (92%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Cholesterol 72mg (24%) Sodium 1390mg (58%) Vitamin A 38IU (1%) Vitamin C 0.5mg (1%) Calcium 23mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 411

% Daily Value*

Calories 411kcal 21%
Protein 46g 92%
Fat 23g 35%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 72mg 24%
Sodium 1390mg 58%
Vitamin A 38IU 1%
Vitamin C 0.5mg 1%
Calcium 23mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.