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Fish burgers bring a delicious twist to the classic burger, with their distinctive texture and mouthwatering flavor. They’re a fantastic choice for a summer BBQ or an easy weeknight dinner.

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If you haven’t tried fish burgers yet, you’re missing out! Made with fresh cod, spices and breading ingredients, and topped with tartar sauce, these burgers are super juicy and tender inside with a perfectly crispy outside. They’re a breeze to prep and cook up in less than 10 minutes.
Don’t be intimidated to try making fish burgers, I’ll guide you through it and share some tips to get that perfect crispy exterior. I also share with you how you can cook them on the cooktop or bake them in the oven.
Be sure to check out my other grilling recipes perfect for the 4th of July – Grilled Shrimp Skewers, and these Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs are readers’ favorite with over sixty 5-star reviews.
Why you will love this recipe!
I know you will love this crispy fish burger as much as I do! Here is why:
- Crispy texture: I like my fish burgers firm, not mushy, so I use whole fish fillets coated in gluten-free breadcrumbs and cornmeal. This gives them a tender inside and a crispy outside.
- Flavorful: I love the tangy flavors of the pickled red onions and cucumbers. You also get a creamy tang from the tartar sauce that complements the fish burger so well.
- Simple ingredients: You probably already have most of them at home. And if not, you can find all the ingredients you need at any grocery store.
Ingredients for a Delicious Fish Burger
- Fish Fillets: I prefer cod, but you could alternatively use pollock, haddock, or tilapia. You can choose any firm white fish fillets that will hold together when cooked. Make sure to choose fish fillets that are similar thickness, so they will cook evenly and at the same time.
- Seasonings and Spices: You would need salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, Panko breadcrumbs, and cornmeal.
- Egg: This is the binding ingredient that will bind the breadcrumbs on the cod fillets.
- Light Olive oil: For frying the breaded fish fillets. You could also use coconut oil or any other high heat oil.
- Buns and Bread Options: You can use brioche, organic whole whear bun, or gluten-free bun if you have a dietary restrictions.
- Toppings and Condiments: Lettuce, pickled red onions, and sliced pickles. Check out my easy recipe for how to make pickled red onions at home.
- Tartar sauce: You would need mayonnaise, dill pickles, capers (optional), dill or parsley, and lemon juice. You can use store-bought or make it at home with my quick and easy recipe for tartar sauce.
How to Cook this Crispy Fish Burger
- Season the fish. Pat dry the fish fillets with a paper towel. Season the fish fillets with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Bread the fish fillets. In a small bowl, beat the egg. Dip each fillet into the egg, then coat it with cornmeal. Dip the fillet back into the egg and roll it in breadcrumbs for a crispy finish.
- Cook the fish. Heat oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the breaded fish fillets and fry them until golden brown and crispy (about 3 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fish).
- Assemble. Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom half of a burger bun. Add a tablespoon of tartar sauce on top. Place the crispy fish fillet on the lettuce.
- Garnish. Top the fish with sliced pickles and pickled red onion. Add another tablespoon of tartar sauce on top.
- Serve. Cover with the top half of the burger bun and serve immediately.
Quick Tip: Instead of frying them in the pan, you can also grill them or bake them. If you decide to bake them, drizzle a little bit of oil on the breaded fish, preheat the oven to 425F (including the baking sheet) and bake them for about 10 minutes. For more golden exterior you can finish them under the broiler for 2 – 3 minutes but watch closely so they don’t burn. You can also toast the breadcrumbs before you bread them for a nice golden crust.
TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Season the fish well to make it taste delicious.
- For perfectly crispy exterior of the fish, make sure you dredge the fillets well with the cornmeal and breadcrumbs. Dunk them into a whisked egg and make sure it’s well covered so the breadcrumbs stick.
- Don’t overcook the fish. Fish cooks quickly. Keep an eye on it to prevent drying out and turning rubbery.
- Don’t add too many toppings. Too many toppings can overwhelm the fish and make the burger difficult to eat.
Serving Suggestions
- Fries and Chips Classic and always a hit. Try my favorite sweet potato fries, homemade fries, or sweet potato chips.
- Slaws: My favorite coleslaws are homemade, they taste so much better than storebought. Try my recipe for coleslaw, Red Cabbage Slaw, or a sweet and tangy carrot salad.
- Salads: I love to serve burgers with fresh salads. A fresh tomato cucumber avocado salad or a Mediterranean Greek Salad would go with the fish burgers really well.
- Other Sides: If you are grilling, you can add to the grill some vegetables like sliced zucchini, peppers and mushrooms. I highly recommend you also make these baked potato wedges or a potato salad which is also great for a potluck.
- Other condiments: Sriracha Mayo, Garlic Aioli, , homemade Tzatziki sauce, Blue Cheese sauce, Dijon Mustard
Storing and Reheating Leftover Fish Burgers
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating Tips to Retain Flavor and Texture: Reheat the fish filets in a pan or oven at 325 F for 8 – 10 minutes to keep the exterior crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the fish rubbery.
More Seafood Recipes
If you loved this fish burger recipe, be sure to check out my other seafood recipes:
If you enjoyed this Fish Burger recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
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Fish burger
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Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets, or white fish of choice
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs, I used gluten-free
- ½ cup cornmeal
- 4 hamburger buns
- 4 lettuce leaves
- ½ cup tartar sauce
- 4 oz pickles
- 4 oz pickled red onions
Instructions
- Pat dry the fish fillets with a paper towel. Season the fish fillets with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg. Dip each fillet into the egg, then coat it with cornmeal. Dip the fillet back into the egg and roll it in breadcrumbs for a crispy finish.
- Heat oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the breaded fish fillets and fry them until golden brown and crispy.
- Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom half of a burger bun. Add a tablespoon of tartar sauce on top. Place the crispy fish fillet on the lettuce.
- Top the fish with sliced pickles and pickled red onion. Add another tablespoon of tartar sauce on top.
- Cover with the top half of the burger bun and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary with ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. For accuracy, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this recipe is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or nutritional advice. I am not a doctor or a dietitian. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your diet or health. For more details, please read my full disclosure page.
Could I use air fryer. I would bread as directed and spray with avocado oil and cook in fryer.
Wonder if anyone has cooked in air fryer.
Yes, this should work in an air fryer too.