Crispy Fish Sandwiches
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Oh-so-crisp fish sandwiches with melted cheese, soft brioche buns and homemade tartar sauce! Seriously so so good.
This right here is a classic fish sandwich. There’s no frills, no fuss. All you need is a simple coating, yielding the lightest, crispiest exterior (thank you to Panko breadcrumbs), some good old fashioned American cheese slices, soft, toasted brioche buns and a homemade tartar sauce.
Fish-wise, I prefer orange roughy or petrale sole fish filets but you can also use flounder or cod. You can also add in a slaw, although personally, I think simple is best here. And this homemade tartar sauce is truly all you need to round out this perfect sandwich (and don’t worry – it doesn’t require too many ingredients).
You can keep your fish warm and cozy in a 200 degree F oven for up to 30 min before assembling all your sammies. For sides, you can serve with fries or chips and some ice cold beers for a well rounded out meal.
Tools For This Recipe
Dutch oven
Crispy Fish Sandwiches: Frequently Asked Questions
Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb and can be found in the Asian section of your local grocery store. While both panko and breadcrumbs can be used as a coating for fried foods, panko is much more flakier and yields a crunchier, crispier texture.
A quick and easy buttermilk substitute is creating your own buttermilk with whole milk and something acidic such as lemon juice or distilled white vinegar.
You can add 1 tablespoon acid (lemon juice or vinegar) to 1 cup milk, letting it stand for 5-10 minutes.
Crispy Fish Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 4 orange roughy or petrale sole fish filets, each cut crosswise into 8 pieces
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup Panko*
- 6 cups vegetable, oil
- 4 brioche hamburger buns, lightly toasted
- 4 slices American cheese
for the buttermilk mixture
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce, optional
for the homemade tartar sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons dill pickle relish
- 1 ½ tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Season fish with Old Bay seasoning, salt and pepper, to taste.
- Working one at a time, dredge fish in flour, dip into the buttermilk mixture, then dredge in Panko, pressing to coat.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium high heat until it registers 360 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer.
- Working in batches, add fish and fry until golden brown, turning occasionally, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack and keep warm.*
- To serve, spread buns with tartar sauce, then top with fish and cheese slices.
for the buttermilk mixture
- In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg and hot sauce.
for the homemade tartar sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, relish, dill and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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Woah, these were so good. I didn’t have Old Bay so I used McCormick Garlic and Herb, which is my go to seasoning. I was told these are better than McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish!
Very good!
The detailed instructions in the blog post made the process easy to follow, even for someone like me who’s not a pro in the kitchen. This recipe has officially become a family favorite, and I can’t wait to share it with friends at our next get-together.Thank you so much
Another great recipe! Super flavorful and the buttermilk egg mixture really helps keep the breading on the fish and crispy. I wouldn’t have thought to use orange roughy but it was a delicious sandwich. I didn’t add cheese this time but, I will next time.
I made this in the air fryer (390 for 10 minutes give or take) and the fish turned out great! I added some leftover shredded cabbage and put the mayo, sriracha, and pickles on the bun.
Thanks for sharing, will try this dish in our air fryer too!
I made this recipe tonight. I had some buttermilk I wanted to use up. It was fantastic. Easy instructions. Not too many ingredients and very delicious. I used cod fillet and I even made some shrimp. This recipe is a keeper!
Everything you make looks amazing and I want to try. Just wondering if you would be able to post the calories per serving. I know that is extra work, just looking for recipes under a certain calorie amount. Thanks!
I absolutely love when you say to add fries, chips, and beer for a well-rounded meal – you and I could be best friends!!!
Is there a way to use an air fryer? I’m afraid of large amounts of hot oil.