This Crispy Fish Sandwich has it all, tartar sauce, cheese, lettuce, cabbage all on a toasted brioche bun. A party in your mouth with each and every bite.

Crispy Fish Sandwich on white plate with tartar sauce drizzling down side and potato chips on plate.

I’m a sucker for sandwiches, especially when it comes to a Fish Sandwich. There is just something about it that I cannot get enough of.

Who doesn’t remember going to McDonald’s and getting their Filet-O-Fish? I know in high school that was my one stop shop!

When you get a little older you really want to start cooking for yourself and your family and ditch the fast food.

This Crispy Fish Sandwich absolutely needs to be on your dinnertime menu. Fried til golden brown and loaded with tartar sauce, cheese, cabbage and lettuce – how can you go wrong?

Oh lets not forget to mention the toasted brioche buns that really give this Fish Sandwich the perfect base!

If you are looking for a tasty fish recipe to add to your menu, you cannot go wrong with this one.

Some of my other favorite sandwich recipes that we have on our site include: Loose Meat Sandwiches, Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches and Pizza Grilled Cheese.

Crispy Fish Sandwich on plate with tartar sauce, cheese, lettuce and red cabbage with a beer in background.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

Fresh ingredients make this sandwich super flavorful.
You can use your own homemade tartar sauce or store bought.
The cheese is absolutely optional but well worth it!

INGREDIENTS NEEDED (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST):

Brioche buns
White fish fillets (cod or haddock cut into quarters)
All-purpose flour
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Eggs
Panko breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper to taste
Cheddar cheese
Tartar sauce
Red cabbage, shredded
Lettuce
Lemon wedges for serving, optional
Vegetable oil (enough to fill pan by 1 inch)

Ingredients needed to make a Crispy Fish Sandwich.

HOW TO MAKE A CRISPY FISH SANDWICH, STEP BY STEP:

Preheat oven to broil and raise rack to top.
Prepare your fish by first patting dry.
Season both sides of fish with salt and pepper.
Add onion powder and garlic powder to flour. Mix until combined.
Dredge each fillet in the flour, shaking off any excess, dip in the beaten eggs, and finally coat in panko breadcrumbs.
Heat one inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat, reaching 350 degrees F. Once hot, add the fish fillets and cook until golden brown and crispy on both sides. This should take about 2-3 minutes per side.
While the fish is cooking, place your brioche buns on a baking sheet and toast under the broiler until golden brown.
Lay the cooked fish on paper towel to absorb any grease.
To assemble the sandwiches, spread a generous amount of tartar sauce on the top and bottom half of each toasted brioche bun.
Lay a piece of cheddar cheese on the bottom half and place the crispy fish on top.
Lay a piece of lettuce, followed by a handful of shredded red cabbage and the top half of your brioche bun.
Serve your delicious crispy fish sandwiches with lemon wedges and chips on the side if desired.

Step by step photos on how to make a Crispy Fish Sandwich.

WHAT IS THE BEST PAN TO USE FOR FRYING THE FISH?

Investing in a heavy-duty skillet can make all the difference in your cooking. Opt for a cast-iron skillet or a high-quality, hefty non-stick frying pan.

These types of pans offer superior heat distribution, contributing to an evenly golden, delightfully crispy crust on your fish.

CAN I USE FROZEN FISH?

Yes, however the fish needs to fully thaw. Once thawed, pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This will help achieve the crispy texture.

CAN I MAKE THIS IN THE AIR FRYER OR OVEN?

Yes to both of these, see below on how to do each:

AIR FRYER:

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil and place the fish in the basket
Cook at 375° for 8 minutes, flip the fish over and lightly spray it with cooking spray, then cook for an additional 4 minutes or until crisp and golden.

OVEN:

Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the fish on the parchment paper.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until crisp and golden.

WHAT IS THE BEST FISH TO USE FOR A FISH SANDWICH?

We personally have always gone for cod or haddock for our fish sandwich recipes.

You can also use grouper, mahi-mahi or pollack as well. But we seem to find cod and haddock easier to locate in our grocery store.

Sandwich cut in half showing the inside of the cooked fish.

HOW TO STORE:

While this is best served when it is first made, the cooked fish will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

To reheat the fish we like to place it on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F for roughly 10 miutes.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

Brioche buns our are favorite but any bun will work.
Toasting the buns really gives this a nice base for the fish and toppings to be held together.
The cheese is optional, but highly recommended.
This can be made in the oven or air fryer, see my tips above.
Use your own homemade tartar sauce or storebought.
We do not recommend freezing this recipe.
Other toppings can be used per your preference.
Make sure that the internal temperature of the fish is at least 145 degrees F.

Close up of sandwich with a bite taken out of it showing all the toppings.

When it comes to a delicious sandwich, you absolutely cannot go wrong with this Crispy Fish Sandwich. Flavorful, crunchy and filling.

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If you’ve tried this CRISPY FISH SANDWICH or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and what shenanigans I’m getting into!

Crispy Fish Sandwich