I’ve been wanting to try sriracha, the popular hot chili sauce. Rick and I both enjoy spicy food, and when I cook fish it has to have some heat or he won’t like it. While shopping this morning I picked up a bottle of sriracha and, inspired by Dawn at OH Sweet Mercy, developed this Crunchy Sriracha Cod recipe. Dawn has several great sriracha recipes worth checking out.
I also wanted to create a crunchy coating for the fish while keeping the meal low in carbs and moderate in fat (I do love a bit of butter on my Brussels sprouts). That meant choosing a breading that crisps up or stays crisp when baked without adding too many carbs.
Breading options that fit the Trim Healthy Mama plan
- Almond flour
- Crushed pork rinds
If I had been frying the fish in oil I might have used almond flour, but almond flour can be expensive, so I often choose alternatives when possible. For this recipe I used crushed pork rinds. Pork rinds are a staple in our home: they’re a crunchy snack on their own, and when crushed they make a great low-carb breading, a binder for meatloaf, a topping for casseroles, or an exciting crispy addition to desserts (think a homemade crisp chocolate bar effect). One important note: avoid flavored pork rinds that contain added sugar if you want to stay on plan.
Crunchy Sriracha Cod
This dish ended up being one of the best fish recipes I’ve made since starting my Trim Healthy Mama journey. The sriracha delivers a bright, spicy kick and the crushed pork rinds create a satisfying, crunchy exterior that holds up well when baked.
To prepare the fish, coat cod fillets with sriracha (to taste), then press the crushed pork rinds onto the fillets to form an even crust. Bake until the fish flakes easily and the crust is golden and crisp. Serve immediately with steamed or roasted vegetables and a pat of butter if desired.
If you enjoy shopping through our affiliate links, you can support the site by using our Trim Healthy Mama affiliate link. We appreciate your help and support.
This post contains affiliate links; there is no extra cost to you, but if you make a purchase we may earn a small commission. That support helps keep the content of this blog free.