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Close-up of a crispy chicken burger with cheese and sauce on a wooden board.

Filet-O-Fish But Better

Let's recreate the Filet-O-Fish but make it way better! This recipe takes a classic fast-food favorite and upgrades it with tender wild caught cod filets nestled between buttery brioche buns.
5 from 3 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Crispy, Fish
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 753kcal
Author: Lola Jay

Ingredients

Fish

  • 4 4-ounce skinless cod fillets
  • 4 slices American cheese or sharp cheddar
  • 4 brioche buns
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Avocado oil for frying

Egg Batter

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cajun seasoning optional

Flour Breading

  • 1 cup flour
  • ¼ cup potato starch
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp garlic powder

Panko Breading

  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs

Tartar Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoon relish or diced dill pickles and teaspoon pickle juice
  • 2 tablespoon fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1 tablespoon diced capers can sub for parsley if you dislike capers
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Fish

  • Salt and pepper your cod fillets and set them aside. I used about ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper but you can salt and pepper to taste.
    Four fresh fish fillets on a cutting board in the kitchen, ready for cooking.

Tartar Sauce

  • Mince your pickles into small bits or you can sub for dill relish.
    Person adding chopped pickles to a bowl with mashed potatoes on a wooden kitchen counter.
  • Mince your dill and capers and combine.
    Person chopping fresh herbs on a cutting board in a kitchen setting.
  • Add in your mayo, mustard, onion powder, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.
    Person whisking creamy mixture in a white bowl on a wooden kitchen countertop.

Egg Batter

  • In a bowl, beat the eggs, onion powder, garlic powder, and cajun seasoning.
    Mixing eggs, herbs, and cheese in a bowl on a wooden kitchen counter.

Flour Breading

  • On a separate plate, combine your flour, potato starch, onion powder, and garlic powder.
    Hand adding spices to flour beside a bowl of beaten eggs on a wooden countertop.

Panko Breading

  • Place your panko breadcrumbs on a plate.
    Hands preparing breading station with flour, breadcrumbs, and egg wash in a kitchen setting.

Dredging & Cook

  • Dredge your filet in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip in your egg mixture, and last panko breadcrumbs. Make sure to fully coat the filets.
    Person breading fish fillet with flour and egg on wooden kitchen counter.
  • Fill your pan halfway with your frying oil. Heat on medium high heat until your oil reaches 325F. Add in your fillets making sure to leave space between each fillet.
    Tongs holding breaded food over a hot skillet in the kitchen, demonstrating frying techniques.
  • Turn your heat down to medium and cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until golden. The internal temperature should be 145F.
    Fried breaded fish fillets sizzling in a cast iron skillet with tongs. Perfect for crispy seafood recipes.
  • Place on a wire rack to cool. I like to add the American cheese while they are on the rack and hot so that it melts the cheese a bit while we prepare the buns.
    Chicken sandwich with cheese and sauce being prepared, next to a bowl of creamy sauce on a wooden table.
  • Melt your butter on medium heat in a pan. Add your brioche buns and toast for 3-4 minutes or until golden.
    Person cooking with a frying pan, placing a bun in the pan in a cozy kitchen setting.

Build

  • Add a layer of tartar sauce to your bottom bun, your cod fillet, your cheese, and another layer of that delish tartare sauce! Enjoy!
    Crispy chicken sandwich with cheese and creamy dill sauce on a fresh bun served on a plate.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 753kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 269mg | Sodium: 1051mg | Potassium: 1098mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1236IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 3mg