Crispy and Tasty Fried Fennel

Crispy and golden, this fried fennel makes a wonderful appetizer with a crispy breadcrumb coating and the taste of sweet cooked fennel. While fennel can be used in raw preparations such as for salads, cooking is gives it a whole new flavor and texture that is so delicious!

To make the fried fennel, slices of fennel are coated in flour followed by eggs and breadcrumbs. Then, they get fried in hot oil until crisp and golden before being served. While they can be served on its own, feel free to serve them with your choice of dipping sauce such as a lemon aioli or garlic aioli.

What is Fried Fennel?

This fried fennel recipe uses a fresh fennel bulb, which is a vegetable with a licorice flavor. When raw, the fennel has a crisp texture and a stronger licorice taste, but when cooked, the fennel becomes much sweeter. The fried fennel has a crispy breadcrumb coating which not only gives it a crispy coating, but also gives it added flavor.

Pro Tips

• Slice the fennel so that the root end is at the bottom and will hold the slices together.
• When breading the fennel, use one hand to dip the fennel in the dry ingredients and one hand in the wet ingredients so that the mixture doesn’t cake onto your hands.
• Heat the oil until it is around 375 F (190 C) before frying the fennel.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the fennel from the hot oil once it has been fried.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need to Peel the Fennel Before Using it?

No, it doesn’t need to be peeled. All you will need to do is trim the green tops from the fennel before cutting it into slices.

Can I Make Fried Fennel Ahead of Time?

Yes, you definitely could, although it won’t have quite as crisp of a texture as when it is first fried. If you choose to make it ahead of time, you can store it in a sealed container in the fridge until you are ready to reheat it to serve. Reheating it in an air fryer or oven will help make them crispy again.

What Dipping Sauce Can Be Served With Fried Fennel?

This fried fennel recipe would be delicious served with garlic aioli, lemon aioli, or chipotle mayo.

How to Store Fried Fennel

If you have leftover fried fennel, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.

How to Make Fried Fennel

Step 1

Step 1

Cut the fennel into slices.

Cut the fennel into slices.

Step 2

Step 2

Toss the fennel slices with salt in a bowl.

Toss the fennel slices with salt in a bowl.

Step 3

Step 3

Dip the fennel slices in flour until coated.

Dip the fennel slices in flour until coated.

Step 4

Step 4

Dip the fennel into the egg wash.

Dip the fennel into the egg wash.

Step 5

Step 5

Dip the fennel into the breadcrumbs until coated.

Dip the fennel into the breadcrumbs until coated.

Step 6

Step 6

Fry the fennel slices in a pan of hot oil until they are golden brown.

Fry the fennel slices in a pan of hot oil until they are golden brown.

Step 7

Step 7

Serve immediately!

Serve immediately!