As a parent of small, impressionable children, I am always fighting against the tide of fast food commercials, with their bright amusing images and catchy jingles. Everyone is always having a good time, it seems, when they are chowing down on trans-fat french fries and guzzling sugar sodas. These coconut crusted mahi mahi nuggets are my low carb, gluten-free answer to McDonald’s Fish McBites. And I have to say, they are a really good, healthy answer to the siren’s call of that fast food behemoth. My kids loved them and it gave me a way of sneaking more coconut oil into their diet. I can’t always get away with that one, as they don’t seem to like it when I cook other things for them in coconut oil. I adore my eggs and veggies cooked in coconut oil, but my kids aren’t quite used to it yet. We’re getting there…slowly!
For my latest creation as resident guest blogger on Kelapo Coconut, I wanted to make something savoury. We’ve been eating quite a bit of mahi mahi lately and I love picking up a package of the Mahi Mahi Ends and Pieces from Trader Joe’s. Have you seen the “ends and pieces” items from TJ’s? There are a number of them, including fruit leather and uncured bacon. They are all the oddly shaped bits and pieces left over when foods have been cut into regular, even slices, and instead of tossing them and wasting all that glorious food, Trader Joe’s packages them all up and sells them for less than the properly cut items. I abhor food waste so I am fully on board with the ends and pieces items. And ever one for a bit of a discount, I grab them when I see them, particularly the uncured bacon ends and pieces. I was delighted when I discovered the Mahi Mahi ends and pieces because they make the perfect fish nuggets and fish sticks.
But if you don’t happen to have a Trader Joe’s anywhere in your vicinity, you can easily just buy some mahi mahi filets and chop them into chunks. Then you just dip them in egg, dredge them in a coconut/almond flour mixture, fry them in coconut oil, and you have yourself a wonderful, healthy answer to the over-breaded, over-fried fast food chain fish nuggets.
Head on over to Kelapo Coconut to check out the recipe!
Serves 4 to 6. For 4 servings, each serving has 10 g of carbs and 5 g of fiber. Total NET CARBS = 5 g.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Kelapo Coconut. Opinions, recipes and photographs are my own.
Cookin Canuck says
These blow McD’s fish bites out of the water by a mile. I have to make these for my kids!
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily says
Commercials are so horrible, especially for kids. Coconut oil definatly has a very distinct taste but it’s so good for you! We cook most everything in it and my kids are used to it now. Don’t give up 😉
Lora @cakeduchess says
Some commercials are just awful. Thankfully, one of my kids is at the age to understand what marketing is about and how it can influence our choices. You know it’s been too long since I’ve cooked or baked with coconut oil. Thank you for the reminder to go get some now and make these lovely nuggets:)
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
I knew a person who settled for taking his child to McDonalds to buy the Happy Meal toy for $1.59 which apparently you can do, but would not buy the food which was a happy compromise for his child! Even kids prefer healthy, flavorful food like these gorgeous nuggets over processed food.
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
This looks so, so good. We’ve never tried the fish nuggets at McD’s and I was able to put Dudette off the chicken nuggets by showing her the nasty pink goop that they are before being cooked. Maybe I can win her over with your fish nuggets (she’s not a big fish fan yet).
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
These look great!
Dita says
Another great recipe from you, Carolyn. What other kind of fish would you recommend. I plan to make these for me and my hubby. Keep up the good work please.
Carolyn says
You want a firm white fish. Tilapia is very fragile and doesn’t hold up well for this. I’d say cod or halibut would do well.
kita says
Just saw these on facebook and had to pop over and say how great they look! I have some mahi mahi in my freezer dying for some attention
Diane (createdbydiane) says
oh these look yummy! I make a lot of fish and I love coconut so this is a win-win for me 🙂
Amanda says
This looks amazing!! Must make ASAP!! 🙂
Shaina says
These look fantastic. For my children, they know the reasons we stay away from fast food, so we just try to emphasize how fun it is when we do go out to dinner at a nice restaurant and how special that is — far more special than nuggets in a paper box. Sounds like you’re raising healthy eaters!
Pam says
So what is pictured in the other bowl (one is obviously the lime wedges), what else did you use as a dip?
Carolyn says
That’s just tartar sauce. My kids love it!
Christine @ Mama Papa Barn says
I love Trader Joes and mahi mahi. I will have to try your recipe!
Sherri @The Well Floured Kitchen says
I love the “ends” at trader joe’s! The first time I saw them I was so excited, half the time I cut the fish into smaller pieces anyways. I have the bacon in the frig for a recipe tonight, who needs perfect pieces? These fish bites look delicious! I recently have been making chicken nuggets with shredded coconut.
Kaitlyn says
I made these. We don’t eat fish often and my 19 month old is really picky. He loved them!
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
How fun are these fish nuggets!!! Can’t wait to try these!
Jessica says
I love this recipe and want it make it again, but the website you posted it on has been down for sometime. Can you repost it or email it? Thanks!
Carolyn says
Hi Jessica…please email me at [email protected] and I will send you the recipe. Thanks!
Cici says
Do you think I’d have to alter this recipe at all to make coconut shrimp?
Carolyn says
The cooking time for shrimp would probably be even less, but other than that, you’d be good!
sem says
where is recipe for the dip?
Carolyn says
I don’t have one. That’s just some homemade tartar sauce!
Candace @ Cabot says
I’ve been looking for new fish recipes. This one’s going to the top of the list!
T says
Ok I’m sorry but I have scrolled through this entire page and I cannot for the life of me find the actual recipe 🤷🏻♀️
Am I blind lol
Carolyn says
There’s a link to the recipe on A Sweet Life.