Recipes from Italy

  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Italian Fish & Seafood Recipes

    Italian Cod Fritters (Polpette di Merluzzo)

    Published: Sep 30, 2024 · Modified: Jun 9, 2025 by Silvana Nava · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Italian Cod Fritters (polpette di merluzzo) are a quick and delicious way to enjoy fish in a fun, new form.

    You can make them using fresh cod fillets from your fishmonger or even frozen fillets, which are handy to keep in the freezer for whenever you need them.

    Besides the cod, you only need a few simple ingredients you likely already have at home: eggs, chopped parsley, bread, and grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

    cod fritters

    These fried cod fritters are golden, crispy, and absolutely irresistible!

    You can serve them warm, but they taste just as great cold, paired with your favorite side dish.

    They’re perfect for a family lunch, even for kids, or a casual dinner with friends. You can also make them smaller for a fun finger food option during cocktail hour or at a party buffet.

    cod fritters

    Making them is very easy: once you remove any leftover bones from the fish fillets, blend the fillets in a food processor with some crumbled bread. Then, mix everything in a bowl with grated cheese, an egg, crushed garlic, a little chopped parsley, and a pinch of lemon zest. You’ll end up with a soft but firm mixture that’s ready to shape into balls.

    Next, roll the fish balls in a coating of flour and breadcrumbs, which will turn a beautiful golden brown and become crispy when fried.

    Follow my step-by-step instructions and tips to learn how to make the perfect crispy Italian cod fritters!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Kitchen Tools and Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Tips and Variations
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    cod fritters
    • Prep Time: 15 Min
    • Cook Time: 20 Min
    • Servings: 4-6 (~20 cod balls)

    For the Cod Balls

    • 500 g (1.1 pound) of cod fillets
    • 2 eggs
    • 50 g (½ cup) of grated Parmigiano Reggiano
    • 100 g (~3 slices) of loaf bread
    • 1 clove of garlic
    • 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
    • the zest of ½ organic lemon
    • salt to taste

    The Breading

    • 4 tablespoons of flour
    • 4 tablespoons of breadcrumbs

    For Frying

    • 1 liter (4 cups) of peanut oil or another vegetable oil for frying

    Kitchen Tools and Equipment

    You’ll need a few simple tools for this recipe:

    • Fish bone tweezerfs: A special tool to easily remove any small bones from the cod fillets.
    • Electric food chopper: This helps blend the fish quickly and evenly, making the preparation easier.
    • Medium-sized frying pan: Choose a pan with high sides, perfect for frying a few fritters at a time while using less oil.
    • Slotted spoon: Ideal for lifting the fritters out of the hot oil without bringing too much oil with them.
    • Frying pan with basket (optional): Some frying pans come with a built-in basket, making it even easier to lift and drain the fritters from the oil.
    • Paper towels or blotting paper: Use these to drain any excess oil from the fried fritters, keeping them crispy and light.

    Instructions

    Italian cod fritters step 1

    Step 1) - To start making the cod fritters, first remove any bones from the cod fillets using a pair of tweezers. Then, cut the fillets into smaller pieces. Rinse the pieces under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels to remove any moisture.

    Cut the cod fillets into smaller chunks and place them in a blender.

    Add the bread, making sure to remove any hard crust. Blend everything together until you get a smooth mixture without any large pieces.

    Italian cod fritters step 2

    Step 2) - Transfer the blended cod mixture to a bowl. Add the minced garlic and chopped parsley to give it extra flavor. Then, mix in the eggs and grated Parmigiano cheese. Season the mixture with a pinch of salt. Stir everything together well.

    Italian cod fritters step 3

    Step 3) - Add the grated zest of about half of an organic lemon. This will give the fritters a fresh, zesty flavor.

    Mix again and let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes to help the flavors blend.

    While the mixture is resting, prepare the coating. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and breadcrumbs. This will be used to coat the fritters before frying.

    Italian cod fritters step 4

    Step 4) - Form medium-sized balls or patties from the cod mixture. Roll each one in the flour and breadcrumb mixture, making sure they are evenly coated.

    Italian cod fritters step 5

    Step 5) - Place them on a floured plate once they are ready. Heat the oil in a frying pan and, when it’s hot enough, fry the fritters a few at a time. Cook them until they turn golden brown.

    Italian cod fritters step 6

    Step 6) - Use a slotted spoon to remove the fritters from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain off any excess grease.

    Once all the fritters are fried, transfer them to a serving dish. You can serve them hot or lukewarm, depending on your preference.

    cod fritters

    YOU MUST ALSO TRY:

    • Italian Fried Meatballs
    • Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (Polpette al Sugo)
    • Baccalà alla Livornese (Salt Cod and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce)
    • Creamed Salt Cod with Potatoes

    Storage

    You can store the cod fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days.

    When you're ready to serve them again, I recommend reheating them in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes. This will make them taste as fresh as when they were first made.

    Tips and Variations

    Baking Instead of Frying: If you’d rather not fry the cod fritters, you can easily bake them in the oven. Simply place the cod balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and lightly grease the surface. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 20 minutes. This method is an option that still gives you tasty, crispy fritters.

    Making a Tasty Sauce: A delicious alternative to frying is to cook the fritters in a flavorful tomato sauce. You can also use this sauce to reheat leftover fried fritters. To make the sauce, heat a clove of garlic in a pan with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 2 basil leaves. Add about 500 ml (2 cups) of tomato passata and let it simmer. If you’re using already-cooked fritters, simmer them in the sauce for 10 minutes. If the fritters are raw, cook them in the sauce for about 30 minutes. This will give you a mouth-watering dish with a rich sauce that can even be used to dress pasta!

    Using Different Fish For a lighter flavor, you can try making these fritters with other types of fish. Fish like sole, sea bass, or hake work really well in this recipe. They give a more delicate taste while still being delicious.

    Using Frozen Fish As mentioned in the introduction, you can also use frozen fish to make these fritters. While the flavor won’t be as intense as fresh fish, it’s a convenient and quick option. This way, you can enjoy a tasty fish meal more often, even when fresh fish isn’t available!

    cod fritters

    Recipe Card

    STEP BY STEP PHOTOS ABOVE!Have a look at my step-by-step photo instructions, variations and tips. That way, you can get it perfect the first time you try it!
    Italian cod fritters

    Crispy Italian Cod Fritters (Polpette di Merluzzo)

    Silvana Nava
    Italian Cod Fritters (polpette di merluzzo) are a quick and delicious way to enjoy fish in a fun, new form.
    You can make them using fresh cod fillets from your fishmonger or even frozen fillets, which are handy to keep in the freezer for whenever you need them.
    Besides the cod, you only need a few simple ingredients you likely already have at home: eggs, chopped parsley, bread, and grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Fish and Seafood, Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6
    Calories 216 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Cod Balls

    • 500 g cod fillets - 1.1 pound
    • 2 eggs
    • 50 g Parmigiano Reggiano - ½ cup of grated
    • 100 g bread - ~3 slices
    • 1 clove garlic
    • 2 tablespoon parsley - chopped
    • ½ lemon - the zest
    • salt - to taste

    For the Breading

    • 4 tablespoons flour
    • 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs

    For Frying

    • 1 liter vegetable oil - 4 cups of peanut oil or another vegetable oil for frying

    Instructions
     

    • To start making the cod fritters, first remove any bones from the cod fillets using a pair of tweezers. Then, cut the fillets into smaller pieces. Rinse the pieces under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels to remove any moisture.
    • Cut the cod fillets into smaller chunks and place them in a blender.
    • Add the bread, making sure to remove any hard crust. Blend everything together until you get a smooth mixture without any large pieces.
    • Transfer the blended cod mixture to a bowl. Add the minced garlic and chopped parsley to give it extra flavor. Then, mix in the eggs and grated Parmigiano cheese. Season the mixture with a pinch of salt. Stir everything together well.
    • Add the grated zest of about half of an organic lemon. This will give the fritters a fresh, zesty flavor.
    • Mix again and let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes to help the flavors blend.
    • While the mixture is resting, prepare the coating. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and breadcrumbs. This will be used to coat the fritters before frying.
    • Form medium-sized balls or patties from the cod mixture. Roll each one in the flour and breadcrumb mixture, making sure they are evenly coated.
    • Place them on a floured plate once they are ready. Heat the oil in a frying pan and, when it’s hot enough, fry the fritters a few at a time. Cook them until they turn golden brown.
    • Use a slotted spoon to remove the fritters from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain off any excess grease.
    • Once all the fritters are fried, transfer them to a se

    Nutrition

    Serving: 100gCalories: 216kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 23gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 328mgPotassium: 436mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 292IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 159mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword cod fritters, Italian cod fritters recipe
    Tried this recipe?Mention @recipesfromitaly or tag #recipesfromitaly!

    More Italian Fish & Seafood Recipes

    • calamarata recipe
      Calamarata: The Classic Italian Recipe
    • Anchovies cooked in lemon
      Anchovies Cooked in Lemon
    • stuffed mussels
      Cozze Gratinate (Classic Italian Stuffed Mussels)
    • polpo alla luciana
      Polpo alla Luciana (Italian Octopus Stew Recipe)
    25 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Barbara & Silvana

    CIAO! Barbara & Silvana here! We are the authors of these amazing Italian recipes. Living in Italy, they are part of our culture, tradition and everyday life. And we want to share them with you all, straight from Italy! Learn more about us! Read our story!

    Italian Summer Recipes

    • shrimp pasta salad with zucchini and lemon
      Shrimp Pasta Salad with Zucchini and Lemon
    • gianduia gelato recipe
      Gianduia Gelato (Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream)
    • apricot cake recipe with fresh apricots
      Italian Apricot Cake Recipe (with Fresh Apricots)
    • blueberry risotto
      Blueberry Risotto (Italian Risotto with Fresh Blueberries)
    See more Italian Summer Recipes →

    Popular Recipes

    • authentic italian tiramisu recipe
      Authentic Italian Tiramisu Recipe
    • authentic carbonara recipe
      Traditional Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
    • authentic italian gelato recipe
      How to Make Authentic Italian Gelato at Home
    • limoncello recipe
      Limoncello Recipe – Make Authentic Italian Limoncello at Home
    See more Popular Recipes →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About us
    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 recipesfromitaly.com is a website of the company CIUMBIA S.A.S. - VAT 12138380964 - Milano

    25 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

    This worked exactly as written, thanks!
    My family loved this!
    Thank you for sharing this recipe

    Or write in your own words:

    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required