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Small, roughly spherical fish balls with a crisp golden-brown surface and occasional dark flecks are arranged on a plate.
💪High Protein

Fried Anchovy Balls Calories

Anchovy, fried, source of protein and omega-3

In season: Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

240kcal

GI

55medium

POTASSIUM · 100 G

260mg

FIBER · 100 G

0.8g

Quick answer

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.

Fried Anchovy Balls Nutrition Facts

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%

Fried Anchovy Balls nutrition facts table · 5 piece (medium) (120 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories288 kcal
Total fat16.6 g21%
Saturated fat3.24 g16%
Trans fat0.05 g
Sodium624 mg27%
Total carbohydrate12.2 g4%
Fiber1 g4%
Protein22.2 g44%

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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How Many Calories in 5 Pieces of Fried Anchovy Balls?

ServingAmountCalories
5 piece (medium)120 g288 kcal
1 piece (mini)24 g58 kcal
3 piece (small)70 g168 kcal
100 g100 g240 kcal
1 serving (medium)150 g360 kcal
8 piece (large)190 g456 kcal
10 piece (jumbo)240 g576 kcal
1 serving (large)250 g600 kcal

Calculated from 240 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fried Anchovy Balls

What are fried anchovy balls?

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.

How do you make fried anchovy 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.

Do fried anchovy balls contain bones?

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.

What is inside fried anchovy balls?

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.

Where do fried anchovy balls come from?

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.

How are fried anchovy balls different from fried anchovies?

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.

How do you stop fried anchovy balls from falling apart?

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.

Can you bake fried anchovy balls instead of frying them?

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.

What do you serve with fried anchovy balls?

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.

Can you freeze leftover fried anchovy balls?

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.

Fried Anchovy Balls Vitamins & Minerals

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

Fried Anchovy Balls Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

55
Medium
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

6
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Fried Anchovy Balls

To burn the 288 calories in 5 piece (medium) (120 g):

🚶

71min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

29min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

39min

Cycling

🏊

34min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Fried Anchovy Balls?

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.

How Nutritious Is Fried Anchovy Balls?

Nutrient density

High

70/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

48/ 100

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.

Is Fried Anchovy Balls Processed?

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.

Does Fried Anchovy Balls Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

Gluten yes
Dairy free
Eggs yes
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish yes
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Fried Anchovy Balls Good For?

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

Fried Anchovy Balls Fat Profile

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.