Bacalaítos are beloved Puerto Rican street food fritters made from salted codfish (bacalao) mixed into a well-seasoned batter and fried until wonderfully crispy. These golden discs are known for their delightfully crunchy exterior that gives way to a tender, flavorful interior studded with flakes of cod.

The history of bacalaítos is deeply connected to Puerto Rico's maritime culture and the Spanish colonial period when salted cod was a crucial preserved protein source. The dish exemplifies how Puerto Ricans transformed a simple preserved ingredient into a crave-worthy snack that's now an essential part of beach outings, festivals, and street food culture.

Making perfect bacalaítos requires attention to detail. The salted cod must first be properly soaked and desalted, then shredded into fine pieces. The batter combines flour, baking powder, and aromatics like garlic and cilantro, with just enough water to create a consistency similar to pancake batter. The key to achieving the characteristic lacy, crispy edges is to drop spoonfuls of batter into hot oil, allowing them to spread naturally as they cook.

While the traditional recipe remains most popular, modern variations might include adding different herbs, incorporating beer into the batter for extra crispiness, or even using fresh fish instead of salted cod. Some cooks add adobo seasoning or sazón for additional flavor, while others might include diced peppers or onions in the batter.

In Puerto Rico, bacalaítos are typically enjoyed as a snack or light meal, often purchased from street vendors or kiosks, particularly at beaches and during festivals. They're usually served piping hot, sometimes with a squeeze of lime or hot sauce, and are frequently accompanied by a cold beer or malta. Many Puerto Ricans consider them the perfect beach food, combining the salty essence of the sea with satisfying crunch.

From a nutritional perspective, bacalaítos are a treat to be enjoyed in moderation. A single fritter can contain 150-200 calories, with a significant portion coming from the oil used in frying. However, the codfish provides beneficial protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Those watching their sodium intake should be mindful, as both the salted cod and added seasonings can make this dish quite salty. The fritters are naturally dairy-free but contain gluten from the flour. For a healthier version, some people opt to pan-fry them with less oil, though this sacrifices some of the traditional texture.