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Sweet & Sour NZ Snapper Stir-Fry – A Taste of the Sea with a Tropical Twist!

Kia ora, seafood lovers! Craving something crispy, tangy, and packed with fresh flavours? Our Sweet & Sour NZ Snapper Stir-Fry is the perfect way to enjoy locally caught snapper in a vibrant, mouthwatering dish. With golden-fried fish, a sticky-sweet sauce, and colourful veggies, this recipe brings a taste of the tropics to your dinner table—quick and easy!

Ingredients

For the Snapper:

  • 250g fresh NZ Snapper fillet (thinly sliced)

  • 1 tsp baking soda (for extra crispiness!)

  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour

  • 2 tbsp cornstarch

  • Canola oil (for frying)

Sweet & Sour Sauce:

  • 30g tomato sauce

  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar

  • 50g brown sugar

  • 20g soy sauce

  • Pineapple juice (from canned pineapple chunks)

  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (to thicken)

For Stir-Frying:

  • ¼ yellow onion (roughly diced)

  • 1-2 capsicums (mixed colours for extra vibrancy!)

  • ½ can pineapple chunks in juice (drained, juice reserved for sauce)

  • 1 inch ginger (thinly sliced)

  • 3 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)

  • 1 tbsp canola oil

To Serve:

  • Steamed jasmine rice

Instructions

1. Prepare the Snapper

  1. In a bowl, mix the baking soda, flour, and cornstarch until well combined.

  2. Dredge the thinly sliced snapper fillets in the mixture, ensuring an even coating.

  3. Heat canola oil in a pan to 180°C and fry the snapper for 3 minutes or until golden and crispy. Set aside to drain.

2. Make the Sweet & Sour Sauce

  1. In a bowl, whisk together:

    • Pineapple juice (from the drained can)

    • Tomato sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce

    • Cornstarch (to thicken)

  2. Set aside—this will be the glossy, tangy glaze for your stir-fry!

3. Stir-Fry the Veggies & Bring It All Together

  1. Heat 1 tbsp canola oil in a wok or large pan over high heat until smoking.

  2. Add the garlic and ginger, stir-frying for 1 minute (don’t let it burn!).

  3. Toss in the capsicums and onions, stir-frying for 2 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp.

  4. Add the pineapple chunks and cook for another 1 minute.

  5. Pour in the sweet & sour sauce, stirring until it thickens and becomes glossy.

  6. Turn off the heat, then gently fold in the crispy snapper pieces to coat them in the sauce.

4. Serve & Enjoy!

  • Plate up with steamed jasmine rice for the perfect balance of textures and flavours.

  • Garnish with sesame seeds or fresh spring onions if you’re feeling fancy!

Why You’ll Love This Dish

✔ Crispy & tender snapper – The baking soda trick keeps the fish ultra-crispy!
✔ Bursting with sweet, tangy, and umami flavours – A crowd-pleasing sauce that’s not too heavy.
✔ Quick & easy – Ready in under 30 minutes for a fuss-free weeknight meal.
✔ Packed with fresh NZ ingredients – Supporting local seafood and produce!

Order your fresh NZ snapper from The Seafood Collective and whip up this tropical delight at home!

#SeafoodCollective #NZSnapper #SweetAndSour #EasySeafoodMeals #Kaimoana #StirFryRecipe #AucklandEats #FreshFishDinner #QuickMeals #SupportLocalNZ

Let us know how yours turns out in the comments! 🍍🐟🔥