Dipping Sauce for Fried Tilapia

This creamy, spicy dipping sauce for breaded fried tilapia has great flavor from fresh basil, lemon juice, garlic and fresh jalapeno pepper. Its base is a combination of mayonnaise and sour cream that creates a creamy, but not too dense consistency.

Why it's perfect for tilapia:

This sauce has a layered flavor profile that starts with fragrant basil, bright lemon juice and garlic and finishes with the spicy, green flavor of raw jalapeno. It's fresh, vibrant and intense and provides a punch that complements the mild flavor of tilapia perfectly.

Photos of the recipe process:

1. Finely dice jalapeno pepper, then add all ingredients to a bowl.

2. Whisk together until smooth.

How to serve it:

I recommend serving this sauce with breaded and fried tilapia bites. Here's how to make 2 servings of tilapia bites:

1. Cut 2 raw tilapia fillets into bite-sized chunks.
2. Beat 1 egg in a shallow dish. Pour 1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs into a second shallow dish.
3. Dip each tilapia chunk in the egg and then in the panko.
4. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a pan. Fry the fish bites on both sides until golden-brown on the outside and flaky on the inside.
5. Serve the tilapia bites with the sauce.

More delicious dipping sauces for fried fish:

• For another cool and creamy sauce with a fresh herb, check out this cilantro dipping sauce.
• For a spiced dipping sauce, try this flavorful curry tartar sauce.
• This tartar sauce with sour cream is light, creamy and perfect for breaded fish.