Easy Crispy Fried Fish Recipe (Quick and Easy Recipes)

Table of Contents

• Key Takeaways
• My Quest for the Perfect Quick and Easy Dinner
• The Secret to Easy and Delicious Fried Fish
• From Pantry to Plate in Minutes: Your New Favorite Weeknight Recipe
• Make it a Family Fun Night
• The Beauty of Simple Recipes: Endless Possibilities
• Why This Will Be Your New Go-To Dinner
• The Recipe: Easy Crispy Fried Fish
• Notes & Tips

Key Takeaways

This crispy fried fish is a game-changer for busy cooks! You’ll love how the simple matzo meal coating creates an incredible crunch without hassle. Best of all, it’s one of those quick and easy recipes that turns basic ingredients into a mouthwatering meal in under 30 minutes, making it the ultimate solution for easy weeknight dinners. With straightforward steps and pantry-friendly ingredients, you can whip up a satisfying dinner for the family any night of the week.

My Quest for the Perfect Quick and Easy Dinner

Hi, I’m Betty from Betty Cooks, and like you, I’m always on the hunt for quick and easy recipes that don’t sacrifice flavor for speed. After one too many evenings staring into the fridge wondering “What can I make that’s fast AND good?”, I developed a rule: a true weeknight hero recipe must be ready in about 30 minutes, use minimal dishes, and leave everyone asking for seconds. This search led me to rediscover the simple magic of perfectly fried fish.

The Secret to Easy and Delicious Fried Fish

You might think “fried fish” sounds involved, but I promise this version is all about ease. The real hero here is matzo meal. Unlike breadcrumbs that can sometimes be dense, matzo meal fries up into an incredibly light, golden, and airy crust that shatters with every bite. It’s my go-to for creating a professional-looking, restaurant-quality crust at home with almost zero effort. This simple swap is the key to turning a humble fish fillet into a spectacular dinner for the family that feels special without being fussy.

From Pantry to Plate in Minutes: Your New Favorite Weeknight Recipe

This is where the “quick” part of quick and easy recipes truly shines. The prep is minimal—just a quick seasoning, a simple three-step dredging station, and a short fry time. You’ll be amazed how fast this dish comes together. It’s the perfect answer for those “I need dinner now” moments, proving you don’t need a complicated plan to get a delicious and easy dinner on the table. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a crowd, this method is reliably fast and foolproof.

Make it a Family Fun Night

One of my favorite things about simple easy recipes like this is how they invite others into the kitchen. Setting up the dredging station (flour, egg, matzo meal) is a perfect little job for helping hands. Kids love the “dipping” process, and there’s something so rewarding about seeing those plain fillets transform into golden, crispy masterpieces right before your eyes. It turns a regular Tuesday dinner into a fun, interactive cooking experience.

The Beauty of Simple Recipes: Endless Possibilities

While this fish is fantastic with just a squeeze of lemon, it’s also a fantastic blank canvas. Once you’ve mastered this basic easy dinner recipe, the variations are endless. Try adding a pinch of Old Bay seasoning to the matzo meal for a coastal vibe, or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan for a cheesy twist. Serve it tucked into a soft bun with tartar sauce for a fabulous fish sandwich, or flake it over a crisp green salad for a lighter meal. This versatility is what makes it a staple in my recipe rotation.

Why This Will Be Your New Go-To Dinner

In a world of complicated cooking shows and endless ingredient lists, there’s something deeply satisfying about a recipe that just works. This crispy fried fish delivers on every promise: it’s incredibly quick and easy, universally loved, and delivers a perfect crunch every single time. It’s the kind of reliable, delicious, and easy recipe you’ll find yourself turning to again and again. Trust me, once you try it, it will earn a permanent spot in your collection of favorite dinner recipes.

The Recipe: Easy Crispy Fried Fish

The full, detailed recipe with ingredients and step-by-step instructions can be found in the main recipe card above.

Notes & Tips

Keeping it Warm: To keep your first batch of fried fish perfectly warm and crispy while you cook the rest, place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet in a 200°F (95°C) oven. This prevents the bottom from getting soggy.

A Healthier Bake Option: For a lighter version, you can bake the breaded fillets! Arrange them on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.

Oil Temperature is Key: For the crispiest crust, make sure your oil is hot enough (around 350°F/175°C). If it’s too cool, the fish will absorb oil and become greasy. If it’s too hot, the coating will burn before the fish is cooked. A kitchen thermometer is your best friend here, but a cube of bread that sizzles vigorously upon contact is a good visual cue.

Fish Choices: This method works wonderfully with any mild, flaky white fish like cod, haddock, tilapia, or catfish. Just be mindful of varying thickness—adjust cook time slightly for thicker or thinner fillets.

Easy Crispy Fried Fish Recipe (Quick and Easy Recipes)

Crispy fried fish gets a simple, flavorful twist with a matzo meal coating. This easy recipe is perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time12 minutes mins

Total Time27 minutes mins

Course: Dinners

Cuisine: American

Keywords: easy dinner recipes, easy recipes, fish recipes for dinner easy, fried fish recipes easy, quick and easy dinner recipes, quick and easy recipes

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Betty

Ingredients

For the Fish

• 4 (6-ounce) white fish fillets (such as cod, haddock, or tilapia)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

For the Coating

• 1 cup matzo meal
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For Frying

• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup vegetable oil, for frying
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Prep the Fish

1. Pat the fish fillets completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
2. Place the flour on a shallow plate. In another shallow dish, whisk the matzo meal, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, cayenne (if using), and 1/2 teaspoon salt together.
3. In a third shallow dish (like a pie plate), whisk the eggs with the water until well combined.

Bread the Fish

1. Working with one fillet at a time, dredge it in the flour, shaking off any excess.
2. Next, dip it into the egg wash, allowing the excess to drip off.
3. Finally, press it firmly into the matzo meal mixture, coating both sides evenly. Place the breaded fillet on a wire rack or plate. Repeat with the remaining fillets.

Fry the Fish

1. In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (like cast iron), heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C) or a breadcrumb sizzles immediately when dropped in.
2. Carefully add 2 fillets to the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the coating is golden brown and crispy and the fish is cooked through (flakes easily with a fork).
3. Use a slotted spatula to transfer the fried fish to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain. Repeat with the remaining fillets.

Serve

1. Serve the crispy fried fish immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Notes

To keep fried fish warm and crispy while cooking in batches, place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet in a 200°F (95°C) oven. For a lighter version, you can bake the breaded fillets on an oiled baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway.