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My tried-and-true Crispy Oven-Fried Fish Filets are perfectly seasoned, tender on the inside, and crunchy on the outside, then dipped into or topped with delicious homemade tartar sauce — what a duo!

This baked fish recipe is one of my Southern favorites, and it’s as easy as 1-2-3 to make!

Using a simple 3-step dredging process, you’ll have a healthier and easy-baked fish recipe in no time! 

Ingredient notes

• Fish filets | This recipe works best with mild white fish filets, like tilapia or Atlantic cod. Or make it a catfish recipe using quality filets of catfish.
• Flour | A bit of all-purpose flour helps form the crispy crust.
• Garlic and onion | Season the crust of the fish with garlic and onion powder.
• Salt and pepper | Add salt and black pepper to round out the flavors.
• Eggs | You’ll need a couple of eggs to help the crust stick to the filets. 
• Panko | Use panko bread crumbs for perfectly crispy baked fish.
• Olive oil | Drizzle the coated filets with olive oil to produce a crunchy golden brown outside — without frying!

Dijon Tartar Sauce

• Mayonnaise | Make a creamy tartar for this crispy fish with a creamy mayonnaise base.
• Relish | Subtly sweet pickle relish with tangy notes brings a complex taste to the simple tartar sauce recipe.
• Lemon | Brighten the flavor of the sauce with fresh lemon juice.
• Mustard | Use whole-grain Dijon mustard to add rich notes to the recipe. I like to use the mustard from Trader Joe’s!
• Hot sauce | If desired, add a dash of hot sauce to bring some heat to the sauce.

How to make this Oven-Fried Fish Recipe

This is not your ordinary fish fry! Today’s recipe involves a simple process with basic ingredients that produce an incredible flavor and crispy texture!

STEP 1 | Preheat and prep

Let’s start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

STEP 2 | Cut filets

If you’d like, cut the filets into smaller pieces to make fish sticks instead.

STEP 3 | Set up the dredging station

Next, combine the dry ingredients, including flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, into a shallow dish and stir with a fork to combine.

Place the beaten eggs and the panko crumbs in two separate shallow dishes for now.

STEP 4 | Dip fish in coating and egg mixture

Coat by dredging each piece of fish in the flour mixture, dipping it into the beaten eggs, then dredging in the panko, making sure the fish is coated on all sides.

Place the breaded filet on the parchment-lined or greased baking sheet. Repeat this process for each piece of fresh fish.

STEP 5 | Bake fish

Then, drizzle the tops of the breaded fish with the olive oil and bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

If you desire a more golden brown crust, once done, increase the heat and place the fish under the broiler for a couple of minutes.

STEP 6 | Mix the homemade tartar sauce

Combine the mayonnaise, pickle relish, lemon juice, mustard, and hot sauce in a small bowl as the crispy fish bakes. Then, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Once baked, remove the baking pan from the oven, allow the fish to cool a bit, and serve!

Variations and substitutions

• Turn Up the Heat. Add a dash of cayenne pepper for extra spice along with the salt, pepper, onion, and garlic powder!
• Cheesy Crust. Add freshly grated parmesan cheese to the panko crumbs to make a cheesy, crispy crust — Yum!
• Fish Bites. Chop the fish into small, bite-sized pieces to make mini fish nuggets perfect for party appetizers, your kid’s lunch box, or a tasty afternoon snack.
• Coating Options. If preferred, use saltine crackers or regular bread crumbs instead of panko. Choose plain bread crumbs or a seasoned style that combines well with the other flavors of the recipe.
• Healthier Still. Swap the mayonnaise in the tartar sauce recipe with Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative.

Storage and reheating tips

• Allow the dish to come to room temperature, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days.
• When properly stored, the homemade tartar sauce will keep in the refrigerator for about a week.
• To reheat refrigerated oven-fried fish, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for about 10 minutes or until heated through. 

Frequently asked questions

Serving suggestions

Serve your oven-baked fish filets with hush puppies and Tangy No-Mayo Coleslaw for a traditional southern meal.

Or, pair the healthy fish dish with Lemon Garlic Smashed Potatoes and nutritious Lemon Mustard Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower.

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Please share!

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