Baked Homemade Filet-O-Fish Burger with Tartare Sauce Recipe
This homemade Filet-O-Fish burger recipe offers a healthier twist by baking the fish fillets coated in crispy toasted panko breadcrumbs. Paired with a zesty, homemade tartare sauce and melted processed cheese on soft brioche buns, this dish recreates the classic fast-food favorite with fresh ingredients and straightforward techniques, perfect for a deliciously satisfying meal at home.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Fish Fillets and Coating
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 400 – 500 g (0.8 – 1 lb) white fish fillets, flat/thin (such as Ling)
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (or other mustard)
- Oil spray (olive oil recommended)
For the Tartare Sauce
- 1 cup (220g) mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp dill pickle / gherkin / cornichon, very finely chopped
- 1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp capers, drained and finely chopped
- 1.5 tbsp fresh lemon juice (or cider vinegar)
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Additional Ingredients
- 4 soft buns (brioche recommended)
- 4 slices processed cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Tartare Sauce: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, finely chopped dill pickle, fresh parsley, capers, lemon juice, white sugar, and salt. Mix well and set aside for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Toast Breadcrumbs: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Spread panko breadcrumbs evenly on a baking tray. Spray directly from above with olive oil spray to lightly coat. Bake for 3 to 5 minutes until golden brown, then immediately transfer to a bowl to cool. Clean the tray and spray with oil again for next use.
- Prepare Fish for Crumbing: Cut the white fish fillets into square-ish shapes slightly larger than the buns, considering they will shrink when cooked. In a bowl, mix egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, flour, salt, and black pepper to make a batter.
- Coat Fish Fillets: Carefully dip each fish piece into the batter, handling gently as the fillets can be delicate. Then coat all sides thoroughly with the toasted breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to ensure they adhere well. Place the coated fish on the prepared baking tray. Repeat with remaining fillets.
- Bake Fish: Bake the crumbed fish fillets in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until cooked through. Immediately after baking, top each fillet with a slice of processed cheese and allow the residual heat to slightly melt it (avoid oven-melting cheese fully to prevent a plastic-like film).
- Prepare Buns and Assemble: Cut the buns in half and microwave them for about 20 seconds to warm and soften. Layer each bun with a crumbed baked fish fillet topped with cheese, then add a generous dollop of tartare sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Filet-O-Fish burger!
Notes
- Note 1: Toasting breadcrumbs before use enhances crunch and flavor.
- Note 2: Use flat and thin white fish fillets like Ling for best texture and size.
- Note 3: Brioche buns recommended for their softness and slight sweetness.
- Note 4: Use processed cheese slices for the classic melt and taste.
- To keep cheese from becoming plasticy, do not bake it fully in the oven; let residual heat melt it gently.
- Microwaving the buns briefly keeps them soft and warm without drying out.
Keywords: filet-o-fish, baked fish burger, homemade fish sandwich, tartare sauce, fish fillet burger, panko crusted fish
