Swap breadcrumbs for desiccated coconut to create a healthier, gluten-free take on fried fish. The spicy sauce is optional but pairs beautifully with the coconut-coated fish.

This dish was so popular with my tasters that I made extra and added it to my regular rotation. It’s an easy, tasty twist on classic “fish and chips”—I served it with baked sweet potato fries. The spicy tomato-based sauce works well with other dishes too, and the coconut coating is a lighter alternative to a heavy batter. It was also a great way to use up a large packet of desiccated coconut.
I used cod here, but any firm white fish will work, and prawns could be an interesting variation. I shallow-fried the fillets to achieve a golden color and keep the coconut crisp; oven-baking might work but would require testing. I dust the fish in coconut flour before dipping in egg—almond flour is a fine substitute if preferred.

Coconut Fish with Spicy Sauce
Angela Coleby
2
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Ingredients
-
450
g
white fish
skinned, boned and cut into strips -
2
tbsp coconut flour -
1
egg
beaten -
60
g
desiccated coconut
SAUCE
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp coconut oil or oil of choice
- ¼ tsp chilli powder
- 1 red chilli deseeded and finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 clove garlic peeled and finely chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 to mato grated
- 2 tbsp Tamari sauce or use soy sauce if preferred
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp sugar substitute
- Oil for frying
Instructions
-
Prepare the sauce first: heat the coconut oil in a frying pan and sauté the grated ginger, chopped red chilli, ground spices and garlic for about 2 minutes until aromatic.
-
Add the tomato purée, grated tomato, Tamari, lemon juice, water and sugar substitute. Simmer for about 3 minutes, then keep warm until ready to serve.
-
Toss the fish strips in the coconut flour, dip them into the beaten egg, then press into the desiccated coconut until evenly coated.
-
Heat oil in a frying pan and shallow-fry the coconut-coated fish until golden and cooked through on both sides.
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Serve the fish with the spicy sauce on the side.
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Enjoy!
Notes
The nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online calculator.
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