Our best fried fish dishes showcase battered or breaded fish that's crispy enough to enjoy on its own, but also perfect for making sandwiches or tacos. With a variety of recipes to suit every mood, this collection offers a delicious fish meal any night of the week.
17 Fried Fish Dishes for Your Friday Night Fish Fry
Updated on Jan. 09, 2025
1/17
Fried Fish
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings (1-1/4 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to eat fish and I think this is a great way to make it. The coating adheres nicely and cooks to a lovely golden brown. With the homemade tartar sauce this meal is as good as when you eat out. —Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked fish with 3 tablespoons sauce: 754 calories, 55g fat (6g saturated fat), 143mg cholesterol, 882mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein.
If you’re looking for a classic crispy, batter-dipped fish recipe, this is it. The lemon pepper seasoning in the coating pairs perfectly with the accompanying recipe for creamy, tangy homemade tartar sauce.
2/17
Catfish Po'Boy
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tribute to a great Southern staple does fried catfish serious justice. A creative Cajun coleslaw tops perfectly fried fish for a sandwich you won’t be able to get enough of. —Ann Baker, Texarkana, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 879 calories, 57g fat (8g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 1283mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 37g protein.
A po’boy is a must-have sandwich in Louisiana. Though it can be filled with different ingredients, crispy fried fish is one of my favorite versions. The stuffed sandwich features soft bread, a Cajun-spiced coleslaw and hot, freshly-fried fish coated in a mixture of flour and cornmeal for extra crunch.
3/17
Beer-Battered Fish
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Make your own fish fry at home using a classic beer batter. If you're not a drinker, non-alcoholic beer can be used. Serve with fries, coleslaw and rye bread for a traditional restaurant combo. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 338 calories, 20g fat (2g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 285mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 28g protein.
In this recipe, cold beer flavors the batter and keeps it light and crisp, thanks to the carbonation. Stick with a light-colored beer or nonalcoholic beer to create golden-brown fillets with a mild taste. Serve the fish hot with lemon wedges and a salad, or dig into pub vibes with pan-fried French fries.
4/17
Baja Fish Tacos
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Crisp mahi mahi pans out beautifully when dressed up with fresh lime, cilantro and smoky adobo. One bite and you’ll be hooked on these baja fish tacos! —Brooke Keller, Lexington, Kentucky
Smoky adobo sauce, bright lime and herbaceous cilantro transform ranch dressing into the perfect sauce for these Baja fish tacos. For best results, warm the corn tortillas to bring out their flavor and keep them from breaking apart when they’re stuffed with strips of crispy, panko-crusted mahi mahi.
5/17
Batter-Up Walleye
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Nothing is more rewarding than celebrating the day's catch with friends when you share this fresh dish. Substitute your favorite pan fish! —Alesha Oster, Williston, North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 316 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 99mg cholesterol, 1096mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
To make this recipe as easy as possible, the coating for the fish starts with store-bought biscuit mix and a blend of pantry-friendly spices. If walleye isn’t available where you live, try using another fish, like tilapia, cod or catfish.
6/17
Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You won’t have to fish for compliments when this is the catch of the day! —Christi McElroy, Neenah, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 287 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 440mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 31g protein.
Have you ever heard that cheese and seafood don’t mix well? This recipe is proof that the saying isn’t always true! Mild tilapia is coated in a mixture of crushed Ritz crackers and Parmesan cheese and then pan-fried until the savory coating is perfectly crisp.
7/17
Comforting Tuna Patties
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother and mother made these tuna patties on Fridays during Lent. I'm not the biggest fan of tuna, but it's perfect in this dish. These patties are even good cold the next day, if there are any leftovers. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 tuna patty: 255 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 419mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
This recipe uses shelf-stable ingredients like canned tuna and evaporated milk, so it’s easy to make without an extra trip to the store. To shape the patties, lightly wet your hands with water or mist with cooking spray so that the tuna doesn’t stick to your fingers.
8/17
Fried Catfish
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My son told me he once had fried catfish with Cajun aioli, so I set out to re-create it for him. It was a huge hit with him and my husband. The aioli is also great as a dip for sweet potato fries. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with 3 tablespoons aioli: 754 calories, 56g fat (8g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 916mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 30g protein.
Most fried fish recipes call for coating fish in egg to help the flour or bread crumb coating stick, but this recipe does it a little bit differently. The fish is dunked in tangy buttermilk before it’s pressed into seasoned cornmeal. You can make buttermilk using milk and vinegar, or try my favorite way for a thicker result: whisk together equal parts plain Greek yogurt and milk.
9/17
Fried Lemon Fish
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fishing is a popular recreational activity where we live, so folks are always looking for ways to prepare their catches. My husband ranks this as one of his favorite fish fry batters. —Jackie Hannahs, Cedar Springs, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked fish: 384 calories, 17g fat (2g saturated fat), 167mg cholesterol, 481mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 33g protein.
This recipe lives up to its name: The airy batter contains a hefty dose of fresh lemon juice, and the fish are dunked in lemon juice before being coated and fried. For the freshest taste, skip the convenience of bottled lemon juice and instead squeeze fresh lemons.
10/17
Honey Walleye
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My state is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so fishing is a favorite recreational activity here. This recipe is a quick way to prepare all the fresh walleye hooked by the anglers in my family. —Kitty McCue, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked fish: 389 calories, 22g fat (3g saturated fat), 133mg cholesterol, 514mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein.
A small amount of honey in this cracker-coated fried fish recipe doesn’t add too much sweetness. Instead, it balances the savory seasoning and lightly caramelizes the coating when it hits the hot oil. There are many types of honey, but we recommend sticking with light-colored honey to keep the flavor mild.
11/17
Beer-Battered Fish Tacos
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This fried fish taco recipe is easy to make for dinner any night of the week. Use cod, halibut, walleye or any flaky whitefish that can stand up to a good beer batter and hot oil. Serve with crunchy cabbage and warm tortillas.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 taco: 303 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 448mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein.
It’s hard to say no to fish tacos made with creamy coleslaw and delicate yet crisp battered pieces of cod! When deep-frying battered food, use the swim method: Instead of dropping the pieces into hot oil, lower the bottom third of the coated fish in the hot oil. Let it “swim” as you slowly drag it back and forth once or twice before gently letting go.
12/17
Pecan-Coconut Crusted Tilapia
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I have guests with dietary restrictions, tilapia coated in pecans and coconut makes everyone happy. It's gluten-free and loaded with flavor. —Caitlin Roth, Chicago, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 380 calories, 26g fat (8g saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 377mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber), 35g protein.
For a gluten-free twist on fried fish, try coating tilapia with a mixture of pecans and unsweetened coconut. Actually, any buttery nut will work, so feel free to swap in macadamia nuts, cashews or walnuts. Regardless of the type, keep a close eye when cooking so the nuts toast but don’t burn and become bitter.
13/17
Secret Ingredient Fried Catfish
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pancake mix and carbonated water are the surprising secrets to these beautifully browned catfish fillets. Serve with coleslaw or sweet potato fries, and get ready for smiles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 475 calories, 34g fat (5g saturated fat), 133mg cholesterol, 386mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein.
The secret is out: Pancake mix and a small amount of carbonated water create a batter for catfish that fries up light and crisp. If you’re frying the fish in batches, pause between batches to allow the oil temperature to return to 375°F. Otherwise, the fish might become soggy.
14/17
Pretzel-Crusted Catfish
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm not a big fish lover, so any concoction that has me loving fish is a keeper in my books. This combination of flavors just works for me. It's wonderful served with a nice buttery herb rice pilaf and corn muffins with butter and honey. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 610 calories, 31g fat (4g saturated fat), 164mg cholesterol, 1579mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein.
This catfish is coated with honey mustard pretzels to create a salty, slightly tangy coating that adds extra oomph to the mild fish. I like to crush the pretzels in a food storage bag with a rolling pin until they are in small, evenly-sized pieces. A food processor is handy, but it will grind the pretzels more unevenly.
15/17
Pan-Fried Catfish with Spicy Pecan Gremolata
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Gremolata, a citrusy minced herb mix, makes a flavorful garnish. This well-seasoned version, with pecans added, gives an unexpected nutty flavor to the catfish. —Laureen Pittman, Riverside, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with 2 tablespoons gremolata: 586 calories, 37g fat (5g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 312mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 31g protein.
Most fried fish is served with a creamy sauce like tartar sauce, but this cornmeal-coated catfish is topped with an herby, citrusy, nutty concoction. When using herbs with tender, juicy stems (like the parsley in this recipe), use the top third of the stems as well as the leaves for more flavor and less waste. If you have any extras, store parsley upright in a jar like flowers. It’ll last for days that way.
16/17
Crispy Beer-Battered Fish
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A local restaurant made a similar breading for shrimp po' boys, but we think this version's better. I serve the beer battered fish with a ranch dressing and hot sauce mixture as a dip. —Jenny Wenzel, Gulfport, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 513 calories, 27g fat (3g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 775mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 30g protein.
This recipe uses cornstarch and flour in the batter to create extra-crispy fried fish. Feel free to swap in nonalcoholic beer, as the beer’s flavor and carbonation (not the alcohol) make the batter successful.
17/17
Fish Tacos
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 tacos
From the Recipe Creator:
These fish tacos combine warm, spicy pan-fried tilapia with a light, creamy slaw. The simple, nutritious ingredients make this Mexican-inspired dish a weeknight winner. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
2 tacos: 450 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 1373mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 36g protein.
These fish tacos feature spice-rubbed, lightly pan-fried fish fillets and creamy slaw, all tucked into warm tortillas. Stick with prepared seasoning and tortillas for a busy weeknight meal, or try making corn tortillas and homemade taco seasoning if you have time.
Fried Fish Dishes FAQ
What is the best fish for frying?
Many types of fish are suitable for frying, including cod, walleye, tilapia and catfish. When choosing the best fish for frying, avoid dense or steak-like fish like tuna, salmon and swordfish. Mild, flaky fish (like cod or tilapia) will cook quickly, ensuring the pieces are cooked through before the batter or bread crumbs burn.
When buying fish for frying, look for 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick fillets. Thinner fillets can tear when they’re breaded, and thicker pieces will take too long to cook through, compromising the coating’s texture.
What are the best sides for fried fish?
When picking side dishes for fried fish, think about the seasoning on the fish as well as the occasion. If it’s a Friday night fish fry during Lent, fry up some potatoes and pair the meal with pickles and a creamy sauce. For taco night, play into the recipe’s spice profile and pair the dish with salsa recipes or guacamole and homemade tortilla chips. You can even leave it as simple as a crisp side salad recipe to offset the rich fish and have a satisfying meal.
How can you make fried fish dishes without a deep fryer?
It’s challenging to achieve the light, crackly texture of fried fish without a deep fryer, but there are other ways to cook fish that will result in a similarly crunchy exterior. Try making air-fryer fish recipes for fast, crispy results, or use a high-temperature oven to bake the fish, as we do in this fish and fries recipe.
For the best texture, avoid crowding or stacking the fish in your air fryer. You want the heat to circulate and crisp up the coating. No matter how you choose to fry fish, always make sure to preheat the oven, air fryer or frying oil. That ensures the fish receives the proper blast of heat and the coating cooks properly.
