Peixinhos da Horta — Portuguese Green Bean Fritters

Green beans in a light, crisp batter, the Portuguese dish said to have inspired tempura.

TIME BREAKDOWN
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 10 min
Total: 25 minutes
Vegetarian
✅
Nuts
❌
Serves
4 people
Difficulty
Very Easy

Ingredients

  • 250g fine green beans, topped (tailed) but left whole
  • 100g plain flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt, plus extra for the beans
  • 150ml cold sparkling water or cold lager
  • 1 egg
  • Sunflower oil, for deep frying
  • Lemon wedges, to serve

Method

  1. Blanch the beans in boiling salted water for 2 minutes. Drain and cool under cold water, then dry thoroughly on kitchen paper.

  2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, cold water and egg together into a smooth batter, with the consistency of double cream.

  3. Heat 5cm of oil in a deep pan to 180°C.

  4. Dip groups of 3 or 4 beans into the batter, letting the excess drip off, and lower them into the oil.

  5. Fry in batches for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and crisp. Drain on kitchen paper, sprinkle with salt and serve hot with lemon wedges.