My Easy Lahori Masala Fish recipe is super crispy and the perfect dish to make for when hosting! Serve this Lahori Masala Fish alongside my Chicken Biryani for a full Pakistani feast.

Ingredients for Lahori Masala Fish
Fish & Marinade
- 3 basa fillets (approx. 450–500g total), thawed and patted dry
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Lahori Fish Masala – Shaan
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 3 teaspoons coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- 5 tablespoons gram flour
- Garnish: 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, finely chopped Lemon wedges, to serve
- Oil for deep frying
Method
1. Prep the Fish: Fully defrost the basa fillets and pat dry with kitchen paper. Cut into smaller pieces.
2. Make the Marinade: In a bowl, mix together the Lemon juice Lahori Fish Masala Cumin powder Salt Gram flour
3. Coat & Marinate: Add the fish into the bowl and coat evenly in the spiced gram flour mixture.Leave to marinate for 15–20 minutes.
4. Fry Until Golden, Deep Fry: Fry for 3-4 minutes on a high heat until golden, crispy and cooked through.
5. Pair with my Green Chutney Recipe for the perfect bite! Its packed with ginger, coriander and garlic and tastes so so good and pairs beautifully with the masala fish!
Tips for Perfect Masala Fried Fish
- Always pat the fish dry on both sides before marinating, this keeps the coating crisp.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan or the fish will steam instead of fry.
- Fry on medium-high heat to get that classic Lahori crisp exterior.
- Serve immediately to retain crispiness!

FAQs
Can I use another type of fish?
Yes, cod, haddock or tilapia work well for Lahori Masala Fish. The exact fish I used are the Asda Basa Fillets 450g. They come frozen and very affordable!
Can I air fry masala fish?
Yes, spray lightly with oil and air fry at 200°C for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Why is my fried fish not crispy?
The oil may not be hot enough, or the pan may be overcrowded.
How long can I marinate the fish?
15–20 minutes is ideal. Longer marination can make the fish release moisture.
If you like the look of my Lahori Masal Fish then you should definitely check out the recipes below for some more pakistani dishes that are brilliant for hosting!
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Lahori Masala Fish
Ingredients
Fish & Marinade
- 3 basa fillets approx. 450–500g total, thawed and patted dry
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Lahori Fish Masala – Shaan
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 3 teaspoons coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- 5 tablespoons gram flour
- Garnish: 2 tablespoons fresh coriander finely chopped Lemon wedges, to serve
Instructions
- Prep the Fish: Fully defrost the basa fillets and pat dry with kitchen paper. Cut into smaller pieces.
- Make the Marinade: In a bowl, mix together the Lemon juice Lahori Fish Masala Cumin powder Salt Gram flour
- Coat & Marinate: Add the fish into the bowl and coat evenly in the spiced gram flour mixture.Leave to marinate for 15–20 minutes.
- Fry Until Golden, Deep Fry: Fry for 3-4 minutes on a high heat until golden, crispy and cooked through.
Video
Notes
- Always pat the fish dry on both sides before marinating, this keeps the coating crisp.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan or the fish will steam instead of fry.
- Fry on medium-high heat to get that classic Lahori crisp exterior.
- Serve immediately to retain crispiness!



