Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Filet O Fish Burgers are a delicious homemade take on the classic fast-food favorite. The crispy, golden cod fillets are coated in a flavorful panko crust and paired with freshly baked sesame buns that are soft and airy. Topped with a creamy homemade tartar sauce and a slice of cheddar cheese, these burgers offer a gourmet twist with surprisingly simple ingredients. Perfect for a casual meal or impressing guests!

Ingredients

Dough:

200 ml lukewarm milk
20 g honey
7 g instant yeast (1 tbsp)
1 egg
30 ml sunflower oil
20 g unsalted butter
425 g all-purpose flour
8 g salt (1⅓ tsp)

Extra:

1 egg
Sesame seeds

Fish Mixture:

450 g cod fillets
3 g salt (½ tsp)
3 g onion powder (1 tsp)
2 g cayenne powder (⅔ tsp)
1.5 g black pepper powder (½ tsp)
10 g mustard

Flour Mixture:

50 g flour
50 g cornstarch
3 g salt (½ tsp)
3 g onion powder (1 tsp)
1.5 g black pepper powder (½ tsp)

Crunchy Coating:

2 eggs
Breadcrumbs

Serve With:

Tartar sauce
Cheddar cheese

Tartar Sauce:

175 g mayonnaise
50 g Greek yogurt
1 g black pepper powder (⅓ tsp)
30 g pickles
10 g capers

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Prepare the dough: In a deep bowl, mix lukewarm milk, honey, and yeast. Let it rest for 5 minutes. Add sunflower oil, egg, butter, flour, and salt. Knead for 10-12 minutes until smooth. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour.
Prepare the fish: Cut cod into pieces, then mix with salt, onion powder, cayenne, black pepper, and mustard.
Make the flour mixture: Combine flour, cornstarch, salt, onion powder, and black pepper in a separate bowl.
Coat the cod: Place the flour mixture in a bag, add the cod, and shake until fully coated. Dip the pieces into beaten eggs, then coat with breadcrumbs. Freeze briefly to firm up.
Shape the buns: Divide dough into 12 pieces, shape into balls, roll into circles, and fold them in half. Let them rise for 30 minutes.
Bake the buns: Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F). Brush buns with beaten egg, add sesame seeds, and bake for 12-18 minutes until golden.
Fry the fish: Heat oil to 175°C (347°F) and fry the cod until golden. Drain on paper towels.
Make tartar sauce: Mix mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, black pepper, chopped pickles, and capers in a bowl.
Assemble the burgers: Cut buns, add a slice of cheddar, a piece of fried cod, and a dollop of tartar sauce.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes dough rise time)
Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours

Variations

Spicy Fish: Add chili powder or hot sauce to the fish mixture for an extra kick.
Vegan Option: Use a plant-based fish alternative and vegan tartar sauce.
Different Cheese: Try using Swiss cheese or pepper jack for a different flavor.
Buns Variation: If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought burger buns.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftover fish burgers and buns separately in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheating: Reheat the cod in a skillet for 5 minutes or in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes. Toast the buns before serving.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cod for this recipe?

Yes, frozen cod can be used. Just be sure to thaw and pat it dry before coating and frying.

How can I make the buns faster?

You can use store-bought buns if you’re short on time, but homemade buns add a great touch.

What should the oil temperature be when frying the cod?

The oil should be around 175°C (347°F). If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a piece of bread in the oil—if it browns in about 60 seconds, the oil is ready.

Can I make the tartar sauce in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the tartar sauce a day ahead and store it in the fridge.

Can I add other ingredients to the tartar sauce?

You can add a bit of fresh dill or lemon juice for extra flavor.

What other fish can I use besides cod?

You can use haddock, tilapia, or even salmon as a substitute for cod.

Can I bake the cod instead of frying it?

Yes, baking is a healthier option. Bake the cod at 200°C (392°F) for about 10-12 minutes or until crispy.

Can I freeze the prepared cod?

Yes, you can freeze the breaded and uncooked cod. Just make sure to freeze it in a single layer before storing in an airtight bag.

How can I prevent the fish coating from falling off during frying?

Freezing the breaded fish for a few minutes before frying helps the coating stay intact.

Can I make these burgers gluten-free?

Yes, you can use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for the coating and buns.

Conclusion

These Filet O Fish Burgers are a fantastic homemade version of the beloved fast food classic. The crispy, golden fish combined with soft, fresh sesame buns and homemade tartar sauce makes for a satisfying and gourmet meal. Whether for a family dinner or a casual get-together, these burgers are sure to be a hit!

Filet O Fish Burgers Recipe

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Enjoy a homemade version of Filet-O-Fish burgers with crispy, golden cod fillets, freshly baked sesame buns, and a creamy tartar sauce. This easy recipe includes perfectly seasoned cod fillets in a crunchy panko crust, topped with cheddar cheese for a gourmet touch.

Author: Emily
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: Serves 12
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Dough: Milk, honey, instant yeast, egg, sunflower oil, butter, all-purpose flour, salt
Fish Mixture: Cod, salt, onion powder, cayenne powder, black pepper, mustard
Flour Mixture: Flour, cornstarch, salt, onion powder, black pepper
Crunchy Coating: Eggs, breadcrumbs
Serve With: Tartar sauce, cheddar cheese
Tartar Sauce: Mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, black pepper, pickles, capers

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Instructions

Prepare dough by mixing warm milk, honey, yeast, and letting it rest.
Knead dough with oil, butter, egg, flour, and salt for 10-12 minutes. Let it rise.
Season cod with salt, onion powder, cayenne, black pepper, and mustard.
Coat cod with flour mixture, dip in beaten eggs, and coat in breadcrumbs. Freeze briefly.
Shape dough into buns, bake at 200°C (392°F) for 12-18 minutes.
Fry cod until golden and crispy.
Make tartar sauce by mixing mayonnaise, yogurt, pickles, capers, and black pepper.

Notes

Use a thermometer to maintain proper oil temperature while frying.
Freezing the cod after breading ensures the coating stays intact during frying.