The Best Fried Fish Burger Recipe

Get ready to meet your new favorite sandwich: The Best Fried Fish Burger Recipe. Imagine perfectly crispy, golden fish fillets nestled on a soft brioche bun, topped with creamy tartar sauce and crunchy coleslaw. Each bite is a mouthwatering combination of flaky fish, tangy, fresh toppings, and pillowy bread — a total flavor celebration you’ll crave every week. If you’ve got 30 minutes and a love of bold, comforting food, this is the burger that will turn your kitchen into everyone’s favorite fish joint.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making The Best Fried Fish Burger Recipe calls for everyday, easy-to-find ingredients, but every single one is essential — from the bubbling batter to the buns and toppings. Each element brings unique taste, crunch, and color to every bite. Here’s what you need and why it matters:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour: The base for a light, crunchy batter that ensures your fish gets that irresistible golden shell.
• 2 tsp baking powder: It gives the batter an extra lift, making the coating airy and crisp rather than dense.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Adds seasoning to the batter so those flavors really sing.
• 2 eggs: They help bind the batter and add richness to the crust.
• ⅔ cup sparkling water or beer: The bubbles make the batter ultra-light and the flavor even more dynamic—choose beer for a malty twist.
• 2 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped: Dill gives a unique herby brightness that sets this fish burger apart.
• 1 pound of white fish, cut into four filets: Mild and flaky, fish like cod, haddock, or tilapia work beautifully here.
• ½ tsp salt (for the fish): Sprinkling salt on the fillets ensures the seasoning gets right into the meat.
• 3 litres vegetable oil: A high-smoke oil, perfect for deep frying and delivering that crave-worthy crunch.
• 1 cup coleslaw: Adds a fresh, tangy crunch that balances the richness of the fish and sauce.
• ¼ cup tartar sauce: Creamy, tangy, and the absolute classic pairing for any fried fish.
• 4 brioche buns: Softer, sweeter, and richer than a typical bun, these hold everything together deliciously.

How to Make The Best Fried Fish Burger Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Fish Fillets

Start by slicing your fish into four even fillets. Pat them completely dry with paper towels; this not only helps seasonings stick but is essential for super-crispy coating. Sprinkle both sides with a little salt so the flavors really soak in while you prep the rest. This quick step makes every bite juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned.

Step 2: Heat the Oil

Pour the vegetable oil into your deep fryer or a deep, heavy-bottom pot. Set it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit — the sweet spot for golden, not greasy, fried fish. Heating oil to the right temperature means the batter puffs up instantly for that trademark crunch we love in The Best Fried Fish Burger Recipe.

Step 3: Whisk Up the Beer Batter

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Add the eggs, sparkling water or beer, and fresh dill, then whisk everything till smooth. You want a batter that’s thick enough to cling to the fish, but loose enough to bubble when it hits the hot oil. The fresh dill gives the whole burger a subtle, unexpected zest that makes this recipe so memorable.

Step 4: Batter and Fry the Fish

Dip each fish fillet into the airy batter, letting any excess drip off, then gently slide it into the hot oil. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, turning each piece so both sides can become gorgeously golden brown. Don’t overcrowd the fryer — it’s worth frying in batches so the oil temperature stays just right. Each piece will be done in about 5 minutes, and you’ll know they’re perfect when they’re beautifully crisp and flaky inside.

Step 5: Drain and Rest

Transfer the fried fillets to a sheet of paper towel. This short rest allows extra oil to drain off, so your burgers never taste heavy. It’s a small detail in The Best Fried Fish Burger Recipe, but it keeps your sandwich crisp from the first bite to the last.

Step 6: Build the Ultimate Fish Burger

Grab your fluffy brioche buns and get ready to layer. Place a crisp fish fillet on the bottom bun, add a generous scoop of cool coleslaw and a spoonful of creamy tartar sauce. Top with the other half of your bun and marvel at your creation — it’s gorgeous, packed with flavor, and ready to eat.

How to Serve The Best Fried Fish Burger Recipe

Garnishes

The right garnish elevates The Best Fried Fish Burger Recipe from tasty to totally amazing. A few extra sprigs of fresh dill, a squeeze of lemon, or even thinly sliced red onion add color, zing, and a little chef’s touch. Don’t be shy — garnishes can make your homemade burgers look irresistibly restaurant-worthy.

Side Dishes

Classic French fries are always a winner here, but ripple chips bring their own satisfying crunch to the party. If you want something different, try serving with a simple mixed green salad dressed with lemon or a tangy vinegar-based slaw — these sides cut through the richness and complete your meal perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re feeling adventurous, try mini sliders for a crowd-pleasing appetizer platter, or wrap each burger in parchment for a picnic-ready meal. Swap out the brioche for pretzel buns, or even serve the fried fish fillets over a fresh salad for a lighter twist on The Best Fried Fish Burger Recipe. Presentation is half the fun, so get creative!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cooked fish fillets will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Store the coleslaw, tartar sauce, and buns separately so they stay fresh and don’t make the bread soggy. When you’re ready for round two, you’ll be able to rebuild your burger with all its texture and flavor intact.

Freezing

If you’ve made extra fried fish fillets, you can freeze them! Lay the cooled fillets on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag or container for up to a month. The buns, slaw, and sauce are better enjoyed fresh, but having crispy fish fillets ready to go means impromptu burger nights are just a few minutes away.

Reheating

To bring back the crunch, reheat the fish fillets in a preheated 375 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 10 to 12 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it will make the batter soggy. Toast the buns briefly to freshen them up, then assemble with coleslaw and tartar sauce for that just-made flavor.

FAQs

What’s the best type of white fish for this recipe?

Crispy, mild-flavored fillets make all the difference in The Best Fried Fish Burger Recipe. Cod, haddock, tilapia, or even halibut work wonderfully—just choose the freshest option you can find for the most delicious results.

Can I make the beer batter gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and a gluten-free beer or sparkling water for the batter. The result will still be light, crisp, and just as satisfying.

Is it possible to fry the fish without a deep fryer?

You can! Use a deep, heavy-bottomed pot with enough vegetable oil to immerse the fillets, and a thermometer to keep your oil at a steady 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This way, you get that same crunchy bite that defines The Best Fried Fish Burger Recipe even without special equipment.

Can I prepare the batter in advance?

You can mix the dry ingredients a few hours ahead, but for the crispiest coating, whisk in the wet ingredients shortly before frying, right before dipping your fillets. This keeps the bubbles alive and the batter ultra-light.

What’s the trick to keeping the fish crunchy even after assembling?

Drain the cooked fillets thoroughly on paper towels and assemble the burgers just before serving. If you’re making several, keep the fried fish on a rack in a low oven (200 degrees Fahrenheit) while you finish the batch so each burger stays crunchy to the very last bite.

Final Thoughts

If you love the perfect balance of crisp, flaky fish, cool creamy sauce, and soft, buttery buns, do yourself a favor and try The Best Fried Fish Burger Recipe. It’s a recipe that delivers smiles, every time, and proves you don’t need a restaurant to enjoy an absolutely epic fried fish burger at home. Give it a go, and here’s to sharing bites (and seconds) with friends and family!

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