Crispy Fried Fish Sandwich

Looking for a crunchy fish sandwich that delivers on flavor? Then my Crispy Fried Fish Sandwich recipe is what you crave! Breaded fish fillets made extra crispy by way of a “special” ingredient — then sandwiched between a chewy and buttery pretzel bun and topped with homemade tartar sauce and a slice of cheese (if you like it like that). Does it get any better than this?

Crispy "Ritz" Fried Fish Sandwich

So what’s this “secret” ingredient?

This sandwich recipe was sparked from wanting a fried fish sandwich, but with a crispier crust. So I added crushed Ritz crackers combined with Panko breadcrumbs to come up with my new favorite Crispy Fried Fish Sandwich masterpiece.

What fish should I use for this recipe?

I prefer (Alaskan) cod for this recipe. It is a very flaky and buttery white fish that holds up well to high heat, making it perfect for a fried sandwich. If you don’t have access to cod or prefer another option, you can also use perch, bass, grouper, halibut, haddock, trout, or snapper. They are all great when fried.

A few tips when making this Crispy Fried Fish Sandwich:

For the buns, I went pretzel-style. Pretzel buns are doughy, chewy, and soft and taste just like those oversized pretzels you get when you go to the carnival or an amusement park. They are perfect for any sandwich. After a quick toasting in the oven and they are ready to go.

When purchasing cod, you’ll want your fillet to be no more than 2 inches thick. Too thick, and you’ll end up overcooking them to compensate for their size. Also, make sure your oil is 375° F. Your oil needs to be hot enough to crisp the breadcrumb coating but not too hot where the middle of the fish is not cooked thoroughly. Once you coat the fish and shake off the excess breadcrumbs, fry the fish to the perfect golden brown.

I prefer to make my own tarter sauce, and after you start making your own at home, you’ll never go back to the store-bought kind. A few simple ingredients (mayo, dill relish, lemon juice, black pepper, paprika, Creole seasoning, and garlic powder) become the creamy layer this sandwich will need.

Crispy "Ritz" Fried Fish Sandwich

I love the buttery and rich flavors from the Ritz cracker, and adding that crust to a white fish gives this sandwich an upgrade. If you’re looking for a not-so-fast food fish sandwich this Crispy Fried Fish Sandwich will be there waiting for your taste buds.

Here are a few more sandwich recipes you can enjoy:

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Crispy "Ritz" Fried Fish Sandwich

Crispy “Ritz” Fried Fish Sandwich


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Eric
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Looking for a crunchy fish sandwich that delivers on flavor? Then my Crispy “Ritz” Fried Fish Sandwich recipe is what you crave!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lb Fresh Cod Fish
  • 10 Ritz Crackers
  • 1/4 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 1 Large Organic Egg
  • 1/4 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 4 Pack Pretzel Buns
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Creole Seasoning

For the Tartar Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup Mayo
  • 2 tsp Dill Relish
  • 1/4 tsp Creole Seasoning
  • 2 tsp Lemon Juice
  • Dash Garlic Powder
  • Dash Paprika
  • Dash Black Pepper


Instructions

  1. Cut cod fillet into 4 pieces. Season fish with sea salt, black pepper, and creole seasoning. Set to the side.
  2. Add Ritz crackers into a small zip lock bag and crush them. Place crushed Ritz crackers and panko breadcrumbs into a bowl. Set to the side.
  3. Add egg and heavy whipping cream into a separate bowl and whisk (paid link) together.
  4. Heat a cooking pan to medium heat and add oil, covering the bottom.
  5. Coat the fish with the egg mixture. Dredge the fish into the breadcrumb mixture. Coat the fish thoroughly.
  6. Fry the fish for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of the fish.
  7. Allow it to cool once done, then serve it between toasted pretzel buns. Top with tarter sauce, sliced cheese, or pickles (optional).
  8. For the Tarter Sauce, add mayo, dill relish, lemon juice, black pepper, paprika, Creole seasoning, and garlic powder in a bowl. Mix until blended.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Fried
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 535
  • Fat: 25.9

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8 Comments

  1. Fredrick Anderson says:

    I tried your recipe. Loved it! Came out very good. I made a few adjustments though. I used a brioche bun instead of pretzel and also made a basil ayoli instead of the tartar sauce.






    1. Eric Jones says:

      Thanks a lot, Fredrick! I appreciate you sharing! Sounds like it came out great!

  2. I didn’t have Ritz so I had to use just Panko. It worked fine, but what I really liked was the addition of the creole seasoning!






    1. Eric Jones says:

      Thanks, Deb! I use Panko or cornmeal as well. Glad you enjoyed it!

  3. I love the idea of combining panko and ritz crackers! these look amazing!

    1. Thank you Melinda! I was eating Ritz one day and thought it would be a good combination for a crispy crust and it worked out great. Thanks again!