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Anchovy, fried, source of protein and omega-3
In season: Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
5 piece (medium) of Fried Anchovy Balls (120 g) has 288 calories. That works out to 240 calories per 100 g. It contains 12.2 g of carbs, 22.2 g of protein, 16.6 g of fat and 1 g of fiber. Its 2.5 µg of B12 covers 105% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 55 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.
Selected: 5 piece (medium) · 120 g
288
KCAL / 120G
Carbs
12.2g
· 4% DV
Protein
22.2g
· 44% DV
Fat
16.6g
· 21% DV
Fiber
1g
· 4% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 17% · Protein 31% · Fat 52%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 288 kcal | |
| Total fat | 16.6 g | 21% |
| Saturated fat | 3.24 g | 16% |
| Trans fat | 0.05 g | |
| Sodium | 624 mg | 27% |
| Total carbohydrate | 12.2 g | 4% |
| Fiber | 1 g | 4% |
| Protein | 22.2 g | 44% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 5 piece (medium) | 120 g | 288 kcal |
| 1 piece (mini) | 24 g | 58 kcal |
| 3 piece (small) | 70 g | 168 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 240 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 150 g | 360 kcal |
| 8 piece (large) | 190 g | 456 kcal |
| 10 piece (jumbo) | 240 g | 576 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 250 g | 600 kcal |
Calculated from 240 calories per 100 g.
Fried anchovy balls are a Black Sea–style preparation made by sandwiching a small amount of herb filling between cleaned anchovy fillets, then coating and frying them. Despite the name, they are usually flattened bundles rather than round fish balls.
To make fried anchovy balls, remove the heads, guts, and central bones from fresh anchovies, then open them into fillets. Add a little chopped herb filling between two fillets, coat the bundle in cornmeal, and fry until crisp.
Traditional fried anchovy balls are made with the central backbone removed, so the filling is enclosed between boneless fillets. Check carefully for small remaining bones while cleaning; frying does not reliably make them disappear.
Fried anchovy balls are commonly filled with chopped parsley and spring onion. Recipes vary by household and may include other greens, but keeping the filling finely chopped and relatively dry helps the anchovy fillets stay together.
Fried anchovy balls are associated with Turkey’s Black Sea region, where anchovies are an important part of local cooking. The dish is often made at home with regional variations in the herb filling and the flour used for coating.
Fried anchovy balls have a filling sandwiched between paired anchovy fillets, while ordinary fried anchovies are usually coated and cooked without stuffing. The filling and closed shape make the balls more substantial and require gentler turning.
Use dry fillets, keep the filling modest, and press the two anchovies together firmly before coating them. Fry in properly hot oil and let the underside set before turning; moving them too soon can split the bundles.
Yes, you can bake fried anchovy balls, although the result will be less traditionally crisp than the fried version. Arrange the coated bundles on an oiled or lined baking tray, lightly brush the tops with oil, and bake until cooked through and browned.
Serve fried anchovy balls with lemon and a fresh salad, such as leafy greens or a simple onion salad. These bright sides balance the crisp, savory fish; bread or seasonal vegetables can round out the meal.
Yes, fried anchovy balls can be frozen once fully cooled and packed airtight, though the coating may soften after thawing. Reheat them from frozen in an oven until hot throughout; avoid leaving cooked fish at room temperature for an extended time.
Vitamins
B12
2.52µg · 105% DV
B3
3.84mg · 24% DV
Vitamin D
3.36µg · 17% DV
B2
0.22mg · 17% DV
Minerals
Selenium
28µg · 51% DV
Phosphorus
252mg · 36% DV
Sodium
624mg · 27% DV
Iodine
36µg · 24% DV
Potassium ⭐
312mg · 9% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 288 calories in 5 piece (medium) (120 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Hamsi kuşu (kızartma) is a Black Sea dish made with cleaned, deboned anchovies. They are often paired around a filling of herbs and onion, then coated in flour or cornmeal and fried; the exact filling and shape vary from kitchen to kitchen. Despite the “balls” label sometimes used for it, it is more often prepared as a little anchovy parcel.
The coating turns crisp while the fish stays tender, with a savoury, distinctly anchovy-rich taste. In Turkey it is served hot, often with lemon and a fresh salad, as a main dish or meze. It provides protein, with 18.5 g per 100 g. For a lighter plate, serve it with plenty of greens and let the fried pieces drain well before serving.
High
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Contains these allergens:
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
— Not suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
3.24g
MONOUNSATURATED
7.32g
POLYUNSATURATED
3.84g
Omega 6:3 ratio 0.3:1
Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.