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If you’re a fish lover, then you know that pan-cooking is the best way to enjoy it. But with so many different pans on the market, which one is the best for cooking your fish? In this complete guide, we’ll discuss the best pans for cooking fish and provide tips for getting the most out of your seafood dishes. So read on to find out more!
To fry the perfect fish that is wonderfully crispy on the outside and deliciously tender on the inside, you need the right pan. The best frying pan for fish is one that gives a nice sear without the fish sticking to the pan and cooks the fish evenly. This also means that the pan won’t leave you with a dreaded chore of cleaning it afterward.
Here, we’ve made it easy for you to find the right pan for searing and cooking fish. We’ve compiled a list of the very best pans for frying fish. They include stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel, and non-stick fry pans and they are accompanied by reviews to help you determine the best one for your way of cooking. We also offer tips on how to select a great pan and how to use it to make the perfect fried fish every time.
OUR TOP PICK
T-fal E76507 Non-stick Frying Pan for Fish
- What Makes This Frying Pan For Fish Stand Out
- Anodized aluminum for even heating and durability
- Heat indicator shows when the pan is hot enough for searing
- Toxin-free nonstick coating
- Long-lasting titanium reinforced non-stick interior
- Large 12-inch cooking surface for searing
- Suitable for all stovetops (except induction) and oven safe
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
Size: 12-Inch
Materials: Hard-anodized Aluminum
Dimensions: 13.5 x 20.7 x 10.5 Inches
Weight: 4.4 Pounds
EDITORS CHOICE
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Frying Pan for Fish
- What Makes This Frying Pan For Fish Stand Out
- Wide 12-inch frying surface
- Oven-safe to 500 degrees F
- Quantanium nonstick interior reinforced with titanium
- Encapsulated aluminum core for even heat distribution
- Hard anodized aluminum construction for durability
- Drip-free pouring design
- Easy to clean surface
Size: 12-Inch
Materials: Hard Anodized Aluminum
Dimensions: 2.8 x 14.5 x 11.8 Inches
Weight: 6.05 Pounds
BEST VALUE
Lodge Cast Iron Pan for Frying Fish
- What Makes This Frying Pan For Fish Stand Out
- Can withstand extremely high heat
- Suitable for all cooking surfaces including induction units
- Comes pre-seasoned and develops a natural non-stick surface
- Superior heat distribution and retention
- Two sturdy handles and a red silicone hot handle holder
- Build to last a lifetime
- Unbeatable price and deal
Size: 10.5-inch
Material: Cast Iron
Dimensions: 17.4 x 10.5 x 2.6 Inches
Weight: 6.67 Pounds
Tramontina Professional Non-stick Frying Pan for Fish
- What Makes This Frying Pan For Fish Stand Out
- NSF-Certified 3004 aluminum construction
- Oven-safe up to 400F/204C
- PFOA-free non-stick surface
- Long-lasting reinforced nonstick surface
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Long handle with silicone soft-grip for maneuverability
- Works with gas, electric and ceramic glass cooktops
- Attractive satin exterior finish
Size: 12-Inch
Material: 3004 Aluminum
Dimensions: 20.8 x 13.8 x 3.8 Inches
Weight: 3.86 Pounds
Lodge Carbon Steel Frying Pan for Fish
- What Makes This Frying Pan For Fish Stand Out
- Best pan for searing fish at high temperature
- Made of heavy gauge carbon steel
- Pre-seasoned for a natural non-stick frying surface
- Clever handle for stovetop and oven use
- Compatible with all kinds of heat sources
- The roomy 12-inch cooking surface
- Lodge’s legendary durability, built to last a lifetime
Size: 12-Inch
Material: 12-Gauge Carbon Steel
Dimensions: 20.2 x 12 x 1.4 Inches
Weight: 4.1 Pounds
De Buyer MINERAL B Carbon Steel Frying Pan for Fish
- What Makes This Frying Pan For Fish Stand Out
- An all-natural pan made of 99% iron
- Ideal for sealing, browning, and grilling
- Natural non-stick interior that gets better with use
- Anti-warp base with constant and even heat distribution
- 12.6-inch cooking surface for large fish and fillets
- PTFE or PFOA and chemicals free
- Beeswax coating prevents oxidation
- Compatible with induction cooktops
- Oven safe up to 20 minutes at 400F
Size: 12.6 Inch
Material: 99% Pure Iron, Beeswax Coating
Dimensions: 4.2 x 12.6 x 1.7 Inches
Weight: 6.35 Pounds
Scanpan Classic Non-stick Frying Pan for Fish
- What Makes This Frying Pan For Fish Stand Out
- Up to 500°F heat tolerance on stovetops and in the oven
- Excellent heat distribution and retention
- PFOS and PFOA-free non-stick coating
- Durable ceramic titanium non-stick layer
- Textured cooking surface for searing
- The roomy 14-1/4-inch cooking surface
- Dishwasher and metal utensils safe.
- Ergonomic cool to the touch handle
- Clean up is easy and quick
Size: 14-1/4-inch
Material: Pressure Cast Aluminum, Ceramic Titanium Coating
Dimensions: 3 x 15 x 22 Inches
Weight: 5.1 Pounds
All-Clad 3-Ply Stainless Steel Frying Pan for Fish
- What Makes This Frying Pan For Fish Stand Out
- Thick, anti-warp base can handle high heat
- Excellent heat conductivity and retention
- Naturally non-stick starburst finish
- Wide base for searing and liquid reduction
- Shaped to allow for drip-less pouring
- Dishwasher-safe cleaning convenience
- Works on any cooktop including induction
- High-quality and durable build
- Attractive glossy finish
Size: 4-Quart
Material: Tri-Ply Stainless Steel, Aluminum Core
Dimensions: 24 x 13 x 6 Inches
Weight: 3.5 Pounds
How To Choose A Frying Pan For Fish – Buying Guide
Fish is delicate and prone to sticking to pans to cook fish. Not just any frying pan will cook it well. It is very important to use the right pans to cook. The ideal pan should distribute heat evenly for even cooking, provide a non-stick cooking surface, and clean up easily. Here are the things to consider when buying a fish frying pan to ensure that you end up with the best pan for frying fish that will sear and cook fish perfectly.
Way of Cooking
Your favorite way of cooking fish will dictate what kind of pan will give you the best results. Do you prefer to sear it on a frying pan to achieve a crispy crust and then throw it in the oven to continue cooking? You need an oven-safe fish frying pan that can withstand high heat.
Do you often go out on camping fishing trips and have your catch for dinner? You need a pan you can use on a campfire. Do you have an induction cooking unit? Make sure the pan is suitable for that. Searing on high heat calls for a cast iron, carbon steel frying pan, or a stainless steel pan with a heavy base. Non-stick pans require medium heat.
Ease of Cleaning
Fish leaves a distinct stubborn smell on your pan and ease of cleaning is one of the considerations when buying a fish cooking pan. This will ensure that your fish-cooking experience won’t be ruined by the dreaded chore of scrubbing and scraping bits of fish.
Non-stick pans win hands down when it comes to ease of cleaning after searing fish. The fish cooks without sticking and releases easily leaving an easy-to-clean surface. Most non-stick pans can also handle being thrown into the dishwasher.
Cast iron and carbon steel fish frying pans require a bit more TLC. After each use, you have to hand wash them with hot water and a nylon brush, dry them thoroughly and then apply a coating of cooking oil to maintain the seasoning.
You might also like: Top Fish Fillet Knives
Type
When it comes to frying fish, stainless steel with a thick base, cast iron, and carbon steel do a beautiful job. They can withstand high heat and have excellent heat conductivity and retention that ensures even cooking. These pans are also oven safe and you can throw them in the oven for the fish to continue cooking. When properly seasoned, these kinds of pans develop a natural non-stick cooking surface that ensures the fish won’t stick and also make cleaning easier.
These three types of pans require some technique to fry the perfect fish. If you prefer a fuss-free frying pan that guarantees your fish won’t stick, you can go with a non-stick frying pan. It won’t achieve a perfect sear or serve you for decades but it will do a job and cleanup will be a breeze. Be sure to choose a non-Teflon non-stick pan free from potentially harmful chemicals.
Maneuverability
The ideal frying pan for cooking fish should have a wide cooking surface for searing, flipping with a fish spatula, and liquid reduction. Frying fish is a high-temperature cooking technique and the pan gets extremely hot when frying fish. For comfort and soft, a frying pan for cooking fish should have a long, sturdy handle that is cool to touch.
Riveted handles and one-piece cast iron handles are tough enough for the job. If you will be using the pan in the oven, be sure to check that the handle will fit in an oven easily. These features will give you more control as you fry the fish and make it easy to fry fish.
FAQs
Q: How Long Does It Take To Fry Fish In A Pan?
10 minutes is the rule of thumb for frying fish in a pan. Generally, it takes 10 minutes to fry a one-inch thick fillet. Place it on the pan skin-side down and fry for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the skin is golden and crispy. Flip it over and brown the other side for 3 to 5 minutes or until the whole fish is uniformly opaque and flakes easily when you insert a fork.
Q: How Do You Pan Fry Fish Without Sticking?
The easiest way to pan fry fish without it sticking is to use a non-stick frying pan. If you’re using a stainless steel, cast iron or carbon steel pan, make sure it is properly seasoned and coat or spray the surface with cooking oil. Be sure to dry the fish off before frying, as moisture will cause it to stick. Also, keep in mind that the fish is going to stick at first. It is very important to let it sear undisturbed, as interfering will cause it to fall apart. It will separate from the pan when it’s ready - after 3 to 5 minutes.
Q: Is Pan-Fried Fish Healthy?
Yes, pan-fried fish is healthy. Pan frying sears fish quickly making the exterior crispy while sealing in the vitamins and nutrients in the soft and juicy interior. Unlike deep frying, it only requires a little oil. You can make pan-fried fish even healthier by using a healthy oil like olive oil but one that is also stable enough to withstand high heat.
Q: What Heat Do You Fry Fish?
Frying fish in a pan requires high heat to quickly sear the fish giving the skin a crispy crust while leaving the interior tender and juicy. The oil should be hot enough that it ripples or bubbles if you throw a pinch of flour or the end of a wooden spoon. If the oil is hot enough, it will sizzle when the fish touches the pan.
Q: What Type Of Fish Do You Typically Cook?
There are so many different types of fish that can be cooked, and the type of fish that someone typically cooks depends on their personal preferences. Some people prefer to cook fish that is light and flaky, like tilapia or cod, while others prefer heartier fish like salmon or tuna. There are also many different ways to cook fish, so the type of fish that someone typically cooks also depends on their preferred method of cooking.
Globo Surf Overview
Fish is delicate and tricky to fry in a pan without it sticking. The good news is that it is very easy to fry fish perfectly when you’re using the right pan. The best frying pan for fish has a heavy base, conducts and retains heat exceptionally well and can withstand extremely high heat. It also has or develops a no-stick cooking surface where the fish can cook without sticking.
We hope our frying pan for fish reviews and buying guide will help you find the best pan for frying fish the way you like it. Armed with the right frying pan, you’re set up for success frying fish with a beautiful crispiness and a tender interior every time.