Mackerel Tawa Fry / Bangda Tawa Fry / Indian Mackerel Tawa Roast

Mackerel tawa fry is an Indian style fish fry recipe that is super easy to make with just a few basic pantry ingredients. Bangda fish fry is a tasty, restaurant style shallow fried fish prepared with Indian Mackerel fish. It’s a quick recipe that you can make for your lunch or dinner and serve as a starter or side dish. It can even adorn your table for your cocktail parties.

This mackerel fish fry is kids and elderly friendly as it is easy to consume because it has just one center bone which can be easily removed while eating. Moreover it is loved by all ages as it is so delicious and tasty fish.

Bangda Tawa fry is one of my favourite fish  recipe and we make it often at my home. It just turn out so perfect that everyone loves it. We also make king fish (surmai) fry like this way which is again so yummy and delicious. Today I am sharing my personal favourite recipe for Mackerel tawa fry.

Fish fry like pan fried mackerel, surmai fry, red snapper fish fry, easy fish fry, pomfret tawa fry, anchovies fish fry, whole fish masala fry, fish fingers, pan seared pepper fish etc is always a great treat for me and for  many who love fish fry. These bangda fry is a great side dish to be adorned in any thali.

The cooking methods and recipes for mackerel fish fish vary based on the regions. Some of the popular ones are Kerala style, Chettinad style, Konkani style, Goan style, Mangalorean style, Maharashtrian style etc. The major difference between them is the main ingredient used for marinating and souring.

ABOUT MACKEREL FISH

Mackerel fish are found in both temperate and tropical seas, mostly living along the coast or offshore in the oceanic environment. Indian Mackerel also called as Bangda amongst many names is a type of fish commonly found in the coastal regions of the Indian subcontinent and other parts of the Indian Ocean. They are small to large in size with a streamlined shape, deeply forked tails and a silvery-blue color with dark, vertical tiger-like stripes on their backs. Mackerel has high availability along the coastal lines of India. This makes it affordable for most of the people. As it is cheaper this is one of the few fish that can be seen in street food cart and stalls. This is a cheaper alternative to getting proteins and nutrients for many people.

Bangda fish have a distinctive and robust flavor that many people enjoy. It is a meaty and oily fish. It has bones which can easily be removed. Mackerel fish is suitable for various cooking methods such as deep fry, shallow fry, stir fry and curry. Mackerel has a good source of essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, as well as high levels of vitamin B12, protein and minerals contains like selenium, magnesium and iron. 
Read the benefits and added nutrition of mackerel fish from healthline

WHAT IS TAWA FRY?

Tawa also known as griddle, is a flat disc shaped frying pan made from metal, either from cast iron, sheet iron or aluminum. So tawa fry means frying food items over it using minimum oil on medium to high flame heat. Here in this mackerel tawa fry recipe, the mackerel fish is coated with masala paste and fried in minimum oil in the tawa..

If you love Indian style seafood recipe then I am sure you would love this fish fry recipe. It’s so amazing to have homemade fish fry that are lip-smacking good with our meals. I bet you can’t stop with just one piece! I highly recommend to try this tawa fish fry for your guest too and get impressed.

What do you think about this mackerel tawa fry recipe. Do share your thoughts about the recipe in the comments below. I would love to read it And if at all you tried this recipe please do not forget to share your feedback with me here.

INGREDIENTS TO MAKE MACKEREL TAWA FRY

This section explains what all ingredients is used in making the mackerel tawa fry, how to use or choose certain ingredients and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

Indian Mackerel Fish
Sunflower refined oil
Turmeric powder
Coriander powder
Cumin powder
Garam masala powder
Black pepper powder
Red chilli powder
Rice flour
Ginger garlic paste
Salt
Lemon juice
Water as required
Curry leaves
Fried Green chillies for serving with fish (optional)
Onion rings or slices for serving with fish
Lemon wedges or slices for serving with fish

HOW TO MAKE MACKEREL TAWA FRY

This section shows how to make mackerel tawa fry with step-by-step photos and details about the technique with video tutorial. For full ingredients measurements, see the recipe card below.

STEP BY STEP PICTORIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE MACKEREL TAWA FRY

Wash the fish nicely atleast for couple of times. Clean inside the belly with your fingers tips to remove extra dirt.

Once the fish is washed and cleaned nicely pat them dry with clean kitchen towel. Take the fish and make 2-3 deep incision on both side of the fish. It will help to penetrate and absorb the flavors of the masala nicely.

In a large platter or bowl add in the masala powders one by one.

Add in rice flour, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice and salt. Mix well to combine.

Then add 1-2 teaspoon of water and the curry leaves to the mixture. (Curry leaves gives an aromatic flavour to the fish). Mix well to form a smooth masala mixture.

Now take the fish and apply this mixture onto the fish and coat them well with the masala including the slashes and the stomach. Keep aside for 15 to 30 minutes atleast. (You can keep for longer duration in refrigerator).

Heat 1-2 tablespoon oil in a heavy cast iron skillet (tawa). Once the oil is hot, simmer it and fry green chillies. Remove and keep aside.

Now carefully place the mackerel in single layer over the hot tawa. I fried 3 mackerel in one batch.

Please note that the tawa and the oil should be hot. Otherwise the fish will stick to the tawa (skillet).

Fry them over medium flame for about 2-3 minutes. Flip over the fish and fry again for 2-3 minutes. Flip over and fry both sides until crisp and golden brown approximately for 1-2 minutes each on both the sides.

Remove them and keep aside. Repeat the same procedure with the remaining fish.

Serve the fried mackerel with fried green chillies, onion rings and lemon wedges.

Enjoy the delicious and tasty mackerel tawa fry with your meal or with your favourite drink.

NOTES:

* You can use other fish for the same recipe instead of mackerel.
* You can use gram flour (besan) or plain flour if rice flour is not available.
* You can deep fry but I prefer shallow fry for this kind of recipe
* Adjust the chilli powder as per your heat preference.
* Used sunflower refined oil. You can use mustard oil, sesame oil or groundnut oil.

RECIPE CARD

Well, if you make this mackerel tawa fry recipe I’ll be glad if you take out some time and rate the recipe and leave a feedback in the comments box below. You can also snap a photo and tag Akum Raj Jamir on Facebook and akumrajjamir on Instagram with hashtag #atmykitchen. I would love to see your creations.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I hope you liked the recipe. Your valuable feedbacks are always welcome, I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every one of you.

Happy Cooking!
Love Akum