Got Canned Sardines? Make these CRISPY Sardines with Tomato Sauce

These crispy sardines with tomato sauce are truly what comfort food is all about. We’re talking a ton of great flavors, basic everyday ingredients, and it’s all done in just 30 minutes. Serve them as a tapas appetizer or even as a main course. Next to some roasted potatoes and a garden salad.

To make this recipe, I used small Spanish canned sardines in olive oil. You can use other types of canned sardines if you like. Either way, make sure to be gentle when working with the sardines. Otherwise, they can easily break apart.

I served these crispy sardines next to a simple Spanish-style tomato sauce. Made with just olive oil, garlic, paprika, canned tomato sauce, and dried parsley. You can mix it up and use different spices/herbs. You can also add in a pinch of crushed red pepper for a spicy kick.

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: You can coat the sardines beforehand. They will hold for up to 2 to 3 days in the fridge or freeze for up to 3 months. The same goes for the tomato sauce. It will hold for up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge and freeze for up to 3 months.

Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY COOKWARE
MY CHEF´S KNIFE
EXTRA VIRGIN SPANISH OLIVE OIL (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon Code ONAFORK)
SPANISH CANNED SARDINES (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon Code ONAFORK)

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Watch the Video Below on How to Make CRISPY Sardines with Tomato Sauce

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CRISPY Sardines with Tomato Sauce

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Spanish

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 513 kcal

Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 60 ml
• 2 cans small sardines in olive oil 4 oz / 120 grams each
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour 60 grams
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp water 15 ml
• 1 cup plain bread crumbs 120 grams
• 1 tsp garlic powder 3 grams
• 1 tsp dried parsley 1 gram
• salt & pepper

FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 30 ml
• 3 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
• 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 2.50 grams
• 1 can tomato sauce (passata) 15 oz / 425 grams
• 1 tsp dried parsley 1 gram
• salt & pepper

EXTRAS

• lemon wedges & chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. To make the tomato sauce, heat a saucepan with a medium heat and add in the olive oil, after a couple of minutes add in the chopped garlic, mix continuously, after 30 seconds add in the paprika, quickly mix together, then add in the canned tomato sauce, parsley, and season with salt & pepper, mix together, then lower to a low heat and simmer

2. In the meantime, gently drain the cans of sardines into a fine sieve with a bowl underneath, making sure to not break the sardines apart

3. Add the flour into a shallow bowl, crack the egg into a separate shallow bowl, add in the water, and season with salt & pepper, whisk together, add the bread crumbs into a third separate shallow bowl, add in the garlic powder and parsley, mix together

4. Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in the olive oil

5. While the oil is heating coat the sardines, first in the flour, then into the egg wash, and finally into the breadcrumbs, once again making sure to be gentle to not break them apart

6. Once the oil is nice and hot in the fry pan add in the sardines, all in a single layer, fry for 2 minutes per side or until golden and crispy, then transfer into a dish with paper towels

7. Grab the simmering tomato sauce and add into a shallow bowl, place it over a serving dish, and decorate the crispy sardines around it, garnish with lemon wedges and chopped parsley, enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Get the Canned Spanish Sardines I used to make this Recipe (10% OFF Your Order with Coupon ONAFORK)

Nutrition Facts

CRISPY Sardines with Tomato Sauce

Amount Per Serving

Calories 513 Calories from Fat 270

% Daily Value*

Fat 30g46%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Trans Fat 0.01g

Polyunsaturated Fat 6g

Monounsaturated Fat 18g

Cholesterol 127mg42%

Sodium 494mg21%

Potassium 659mg19%

Carbohydrates 39g13%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 22g44%

Vitamin A 837IU17%

Vitamin C 8mg10%

Calcium 297mg30%

Iron 5mg28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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