This crispy fish sandwich hits all of those notes and does the job right. It features a brioche bun slathered with avocado mayo, crispy baked fish, a double hit of flavor from the pickled onion and jalapeños and has a generous pile of shredded lettuce for extra crunch. The bonus? Because the fish is baked and not fried, it’s a little healthier, too.
What Type of Fish to Use
A firm, sturdy white fish that’s not too thin works best here. If you can get a fillet of halibut, that’s a terrific choice. Cod and grouper will also work well for this recipe. Ask your local fishmonger for suggestions if you can’t find any of the fish listed.
A Healthier Fish Sandwich
One of the recommendations from the US Dietary Guidelines (we summarized them for you here) is to incorporate more fish into our diets. A plate of deep fried fish, however, shouldn’t be your go-to option. This oven-baked version is a healthier spin on fried fish with plenty of pleasing crunch. The crispy exterior is provided by the combination of panko breadcrumbs, a hot oven, and non-stick cooking spray. The other element that gives this sandwich a healthier edge is the avocado mayo so you’re getting more heart-healthy fats, not to mention fiber and other nutrients.
Swaps and Substitutions
Feel free to tinker with the sandwich ingredients to make them your own. Here are a few suggestions:
If you’re not keen on avocado: Use tartar sauce, plain mayo or a squeeze of sriracha for a spicy kick.For a gluten-free sandwich, look for gluten-free panko at the market and use gluten-free sandwich buns.For a lighter bite, skip the bun and enjoy the fish with all the fixings with a knife and fork or tucked into a crunchy lettuce wrap.Skip the pickled jalapenos if you don’t like things spicy.
What to Serve with Crispy Fish Sandwiches
These sandwiches are pretty darn filling and packed with flavor, so you don’t need much for a side dish. A simple green salad will do or this Easy Cucumber Salad. In the summer, sliced tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and balsamic would be a good addition (and I’d never say no to steamed and buttered corn).
Prefect for a Crowd
This is a perfect recipe to scale up and serve for a bigger group, say for game day or a birthday gathering. You could even make miniature fish sandwiches, by cutting the fish into eight pieces and serving them on slider buns. You may need more panko, since the surface area of the fish will increase slightly. You’ll also want to cut the cooking time a bit, since the pieces of fish will be smaller.
Make Ahead Options
There’s plenty you can do several hours ahead of time with this recipe. Have it all prepped ahead of time then all you need to do is bake and assemble.
Bread the fish and refrigerate uncovered on a plate or rack. Wait to coat the baking sheet and fish with cooking spray right before it goes in the oven.Make the pickled onions Make the avocado mayo. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge until ready to use.Shred the lettuce and refrigerate in a plastic bag or covered container.
More Crunch-tastic Sandwich Recipes
Shrimp Po Bo Sandwich Best Ever Tuna Salad Sandwich Crab Salad Panini Pan Bagnat (French Tuna Sandwich)
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
For the fish sandwiches
1 1/4 pounds firm white fish such as halibut, cod, or grouper
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup panko style breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 large eggs
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Non-stick cooking spray
For the avocado mayo
1 large ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
To serve
4 soft sandwich buns, such as brioche
2 cups romaine hearts, shredded
2-3 tablespoons pickled jalapenos
In a small shallow bowl, combine the vinegar, sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt and stir until the sugar and salt dissolve. Submerge the onions in the liquid and set aside. Stir the onions occasionally, pressing them into the liquid, while you prep the sandwiches. In a small shallow bowl, combine the panko, garlic powder, and cumin. In another small shallow bowl, crack and whisk the eggs. In a third shallow small bowl, add the flour. Organize your workstation as such: flour, eggs, panko, baking sheet.
