Copycat Filet-O-Fish Sandwich

Jun 4

Satisfy your fast food craving with something superior!

This Copycat Filet-O-Fish Sandwich is battered fish, air fried fish to a crispy golden brown then sandwiched between two fluffy buns with a delicious tartar sauce made from scratch. Enjoy this homemade take on a fast food classic any day of the week for lunch or dinner.

For more copycat recipes try my Copycat Chick-Fil-A Market Salad and Copycat Cheesecake Factory Skinnylicious® Chopped Salad next.

Irresistible Copycat Filet-O-Fish Sandwich

McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwich was my favorite fast food menu item growing up. When it was a good sandwich, it was AMAZING. But my guilty pleasure had its flaws; lackluster tartar sauce, skimpy cheese, squished buns, and a subpar fish Filet-O-Fish patty.

I felt like it could be elevated if we used high-quality products, so that’s what I did! This homemade version of the fish fillet sandwich takes the best parts of the real thing and takes it to a whole new level.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Filet-O-Fish Sandwich Recipe

Better Ingredients. With high-quality, wild-caught cod, organic cheese, freshly baked brioche buns, and a homemade tartar sauce recipe made with simple ingredients, this McDonald's fish sandwich beats anything you’d find at fast food places.
Healthier Meal. By air frying the fish instead of deep frying it, the calories are cut while still preserving the incredible taste of the McDonald's version. This crispy fish filet sandwich is the perfect balance between being filling and light, so you can savor every bite guilt-free.
Quick and Easy. This may not be fast food, but with simple instructions, you can have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes—less time than it takes to decide what to order from a drive thru restaurant’s menu!

Delicious Copycat Filet-O-Fish Sandwich Ingredients

Cod or halibut filets: The star of the show! You want to use a high quality white fish. These two work really well, but if there is another kind you like, feel free to use that. You want to make sure the fish filet is larger & thicker so it cooks well and fits on the bun! Nothing worse than having a small filet of fish on a large bun.
Buns of choice: I love using brioche buns but you can use any kind of hamburger buns you want!
Cheese: Go for the good stuff! I like using an organic high-quality slice of American cheese, but you can use any cheddar cheese or even any other kind of cheese you prefer.
Panko breadcrumbs: I personally love Panko breadcrumbs because of the crunch it gives. Regular bread crumbs or gluten-free alternatives might not give you the same texture, but if you’re feeling adventurous, give them a whirl and let me know how it turns out!
Avocado oil spray: this is crucial for the fish filet to brown and crisp up in the air fryer. I love using Chosen Foods cooking spray because it’s really high quality.

Wet Batter

Egg: Whisked eggs help the coating stick to the surface of the fish.
Mayo: This keeps the fish moist.
Dijon mustard: A tangy, slightly spicy flavor.
Flour: We need a little bit of flour for the wet batter to become thick. I used gluten free flour, you can use any flour. White flour, almond flour, oat flour, or gluten free flour work!
Salt: To enhance the other flavors.

Tartar Sauce

Mayo: I like using the Chosen Foods avocado oil mayo as it’s made with avocado oil, and no inflammatory oils. It’s light and delicious.
Pickles: Add them chopped for a taste of vinegar.
Parsley: Add chopped parsley for a fresh herby taste.
Capers: Add these chopped for a briny taste.
Lemon: Juiced lemons add a bright citrus flavor.
Salt: To enhance the other flavors.

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How to Make Copycat Filet-O-Fish Sandwich

First things first: Let’s make the tartar sauce! Stir the mayo, pickles, parsley, capers, lemon juice, and salt together in a bowl. Pop it in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes while we prep the remaining ingredients.

Next, grab a skillet and set it to medium heat, then add the panko breadcrumbs and allow them to toast for 3-5 minutes until slightly golden. Make sure to move them around with a spatula to ensure they don't burn—trust me, burnt breadcrumbs aren’t exactly heavenly.

Now, for the wet batter: Into a large shallow bowl, add the egg, mayo, dijon mustard, flour and salt. Mix well until a smooth consistency is achieved.

Into another large shallow bowl, add the toasted breadcrumbs.

Prepare your filets by patting them dry with a paper towel to ensure they are in prime condition.

Begin by dredging your cod filet into the wet batter on both sides, then into the panko breadcrumbs.

Use your fingers to ensure the breadcrumbs stick to the fish.

Line your air fryer with parchment paper (optional).

Spray the air fryer or parchment paper with avocado oil spray.

Place the fish filets into the air fryer basket and spray again with avocado oil on top.

Air fry at 375 for 10 minutes.

Toast both sides of your bun on the same skillet you toasted the panko breadcrumbs on medium heat until slightly warm.

Once the fish is cooked & golden brown, begin assembly!

Place a toasted bun on the bottom, the fish filet on top, a slice of cheese, the tartar sauce then the other half of the bun.

Of course, no fast food feast is complete without a sidekick. Serve this delicious Copycat Filet-O-Fish Sandwich with your favorite companion, like french fries!

Tips

This copycat recipe can be made with any white fish you choose: haddock, halibut, bass, catfish, or tilapia fillets.
Prefer a thinner breading? Give cornmeal a try.
Toasting the panko breadcrumbs before applying them to the filets takes your Filet-O-Fish sandwich to next level crispiness! It is the secret to pure bliss in every bite.
Whether you are using fresh fish or frozen fish, pat the filets dry and remove any excess moisture so the seasoning and breading will stick.
Additionally, don’t forget to place the fish filets far enough apart so they can properly crisp.

Storing Leftovers

As for leftovers, this sandwich is best eaten fresh. However, if you find yourself with some extras, store in an airtight container, and when ready to eat, simply pop it into an air fryer at 400 degrees for 3-4 minutes. It'll bring back that crispy goodness in no time.

FAQ

McDonald’s uses Alaskan pollock to create this iconic sandwich.
The fish filets are breaded and fried to achieve that delicious crispiness.
Frozen fish filets can be cooked in the air fryer but that won’t work for this copycat filet-o-fish recipe. The filets are dredged in an egg mixture, then coated in panko breadcrumbs. Frozen fish would cook unevenly and the breading would fall apart.

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