Long John Silver's crumbs: The pros and cons of the free side dish

Crumbs, crumblies, crispies, fish pops

At Long John Silver’s, the “crumbs” (sometimes called crumblies or crispies) are the small, crunchy, fried batter bits that break off the fish, chicken, or shrimp while they’re cooking in the fryer. According to Reddit, some people call them fish pops. Over time, crumbs became so popular that the seafood chain began giving them away free as a side item or garnish, by request.

They are not officially a menu item, but if you ask, you shall receive, and they are free. Crumbs are crunchy and a great replacement for potato chips, but are they healthy? Like most snack foods, moderation is the key. Let's take a closer look at this food item.

The definition of crumbs

Crumbs are extra pieces of the signature batter that Long John Silver’s uses for its fish and chicken. When food is fried, some of the coating falls off into the oil and fries into crispy little golden nuggets. Crunchy, salty, and full of the same seasoning that makes the fish and chicken taste so good. They’re very light but pack a lot of flavor.

Every Long John Silver's I have visited adds a few crumbs to your meal. You can also ask for an extra order, and you get a hotdog-sized box full. These snack bites are addictive. They were one of my late husband's favorite things to eat. I enjoy that crumbs have remained free despite increasing food costs.

Many who eat at Long John Silver's say the crumbs are the best part of the meal. I agree!. They’re not always officially listed on the menu, but Long John Silver’s sometimes promotes them on social media. Some locations even serve larger portions of crispies in a little box if requested.

Nutritional Breakdown of Crumblies

A one-ounce serving of crumbs offers the following.

Calories: Approximately 170 calories

Total Fat: Around 12 grams

Saturated Fat: About 1–3 grams

Sodium: Between 410–530 milligrams

Carbs: 13–14 grams

Protein: Just 1 gram

How crumbs are made

When fish and chicken are fried in LJS signature batter, some of the coating falls off into the oil and fries into small, crispy golden nuggets. They are crunchy, salty, and full of the same seasoning that makes the fish and chicken so delicious.

Every Long John Silver's I have visited adds a few crumbs to your meal. You can also ask for an extra order, and you get a hotdog-sized box full. In some locations, they come in a container like KFC's popcorn chicken. These snack bites are addictive. They were one of my late husband's favorite things to eat. I enjoy that crumbs have remained free despite increasing food costs.

Many who eat at Long John Silver's say the crumbs are the best part of the meal. I agree!. They’re not always officially listed on the menu, but Long John Silver’s has leaned into the fan-favorite status and sometimes promotes them on social media. Some locations even serve larger portions of crispies in a little box if requested.

Nutritional Breakdown of Crumblies

A 1-ounce serving has the following.

Calories: Approximately 170 calories

Total Fat: Around 12 grams

Saturated Fat: About 1–3 grams

Sodium: Between 410–530 milligrams

Carbs: 13–14 grams

Protein: Just 1 gram

The calories and fat content in Long John Silver's crumbs are significant for such a small side dish. The high sodium is a concern for blood pressure and heart health. As mentioned earlier, moderation is the key.

They may taste good, but are nothing more than deep-fried, pure fat batter bits with salt and breading.

The good news is that US Long John Silver's restaurants use trans-fat free pure canola oil, which is favored for deep frying. This is because it has a high smoke point, making it suitable for the hot temperatures (around 350–375 °F) used in frying. Canola oil also offers a neutral flavor, allowing for the seasoning and batter flavors to be enjoyed.