Accras de Morue (Cod Fritters) – Deep and Air-Fried
Accras de Morue, or cod fritters, are a beloved French Caribbean appetizer. Made with onion, chives, thyme, and a touch of habanero chilli, they’re typically deep-fried—but here’s an air-fried version for a lighter twist!
Accras de Morue is the name of the most popular appetizer of the French Caribbean Islands; it translates to salted cod fritters or cakes. These little fried crunchy clouds are unforgettable! Unlike the European version, these Tropical Accras don’t contain any eggs or milk. They naturally puff up into those fluffy balls with just some baking powder! However, the air-fried version didn’t puff as much and was less crunchy; the result was still satisfying, especially for the younger one of the family!
Deep-Frying vs. Air Fryer
I love my air fryer, but sometimes it doesn’t give the same satisfying result as in this recipe. I would still eat the air-fried version; it’s just that knowing the actual crunchy and fatty version makes it hard to reach up to. I love these crunchy bits from the patties in the deep-frying version, but my heart and my family’s well-being need the air-fried version. I’ve used the same batter for both versions and my kids like them equally, so it’s up to you! There is no winner in this case: I probably would always do half-half.
The Caribbean Version vs. European
I’ve seen many recipes, but a true Carribean Accras doesn’t use eggs or milk. In the Antilles, simply the baking powder will make them magically pop up! Another small yet significant difference is the habanero pepper. I know for kids, it’s better to omit or go softly on the hot pepper; that’s why I’ve used mild chipotle powder, which brought in this ‘Je ne sais quoi‘ to the fritters even kids would dig. Usually, they use Piment Antillais or Habanero pepper, but you can use whatever your favourite hot chile pepper is.
Recommendations for Air Fryer
If you intend to make this with the air fryer, I suggest, like in the video, using parchment paper with holes in it. This way, they won’t stick and won’t damage your non-stick coating by adding oil spray to the machine. If you are like me and have plain parchment paper without holes, make some to ensure the air can circulate under and over your accras. They sell perforated parchment paper for air fryers online. I highly recommend them; they are thicker than standard ones for the oven and won’t fly up and burn in your machine.
Other Air Fryer Bites
Accras de Morue (Cod Fritters)
Ingredients
- 300 g salt cod unsalted
- 250 g flour
- 250 ml water approx.
- 50 g fresh flat leave parsley
- 1 small onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp of dry
- ½ tsp hot pepper (habanero) or 1/3 tsp chipotle or cayenne powder
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- If the cod is still salted, unsalted it in water twice overnight.
- In a blender add the onion, parsley, thyme, garlic and hot pepper and blend in small pieces, reserve.
- Debone the fish and blend a little until chopped.
- In a big bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper.
- Add the aromatics and fish and mix with the water until the consistency is right (check the video).
- Let it rest, covered, for at least 2 hours in the fridge.
Deep-frying
- Bring the frying oil to 180°C (375F°), and with the help of a spoon, drop balls of the batter in. Fry until light brown, turning mid-way, for about 5 minutes.
- Take out with a slotted spoon, and let rest on a paper towel.
Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400F°), add a non-stick bottom with holes (or make holes in parchment paper), spray with oil and cook for 8 minutes or until light brown.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying a full recipe to any social media is prohibited.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share your thoughts on it! Leave a comment or share a picture and tag me @littlenomadsrecipes on Instagram.
Omgee this looks so yummy 😋. I can’t wait to try them. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you dig it! Enjoy!
these air fried / fried fish bites are so tasty! I even got my DD to get some fish. Saving this recipe to make agian!
Thanks! Glad you liked them!
This recipe took me back to Jamaica. Saltfish or codfish fritters are an all-time favorite. They are perfect as a snack or a breakfast item. Love the herbs you use in your recipe. I know the fritters will be packed with flavor. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
They are popular all over the Caribbean; I’m a big fan too! Especially with a touch of heat to it!
OMG these are so good! I made mine in the air fryer and everyone loved them.
Glad, the family like them!
Now this is a fritter! I have been looking for a fritter recipe like this for a while. Most result in a flat fried patty and to me that isn’t a fritter. This is how my grandma made them and your recipe is perfect! I’m so excited… I’ll be using this recipe with corn during corn season this summer.
Corn fritter! Sounds yummy! Going to try that too!
Yummy recipe!
Made this with my air fryer and they turned out great! And loved that little hint of spice. Super enjoyable.
This touch of heat is what makes these perfection! Thanks for your comment!
I love trying new appetizers and these French Caribbean cod fritters seem like they would be packed with flavor. I appreciate that you provided two methods of preparation – deep-fried and air fryer – to give us a healthier option.
Two ways which end up pretty much similar! Enjoy!
My acras in the air fryer were too dry. I am an acras lover so I was looking for the same crispy then fried.
I will try again.
Yes, an Air Fryer is more a ‘convection oven’ then a deep-fryer, nothing gives more of a crunch then deep-frying in oil but healthy-wise, it’s not good. So AF are kind of the compromise…
Healthy if you use Avocado oil I would think?
I never know about Air fryer before. Great and easy Caribbean recipe. I Definity consider your recommendation about Air fryer before purchasing one and trying Carribean Acras. Thanks for sharing valuable information!
Oh yeah, air fryer to consume less oil is great!
I had never heard of an air fryer before. Excellent and simple Caribbean recipe. I will definitely take your advice on the Air Fryer before purchasing one and trying Carribean Acras. Thank you for sharing this useful information!
If you want to eat healthier: Air fryer is great!
An air fryer was something I had never heard of. Fantastic, easy-to-make Caribbean dish. Definitely, before I buy an Air Fryer and try Caribbean Acras, I’ll heed your instructions. I appreciate you giving this helpful knowledge!
The pleasure was all mine!
Can you use regular cod? Not sure about dried salted cod?? why?
Yes, you can absolutely use regular fresh cod! It won’t have quite the same potent, concentrated flavor as dried salted cod (bacalao), but it still works beautifully in these fritters. You can use cooked fresh cod as well—just flake it and mix it into the batter. The dried salted cod is traditional because it has a stronger, more distinctive taste and firmer texture, but fresh cod makes the fritters milder and more kid-friendly, which many families prefer!
As for frying, you can use any vegetable oil you like—canola, sunflower, vegetable, or even peanut oil all work great. Just keep in mind that deep-frying or pan-frying will result in a fattier, more indulgent version compared to the air fryer, which uses minimal oil. Both are delicious, just depends on what you’re in the mood for!