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Crispy Fish Tacos Recipe Easy 25-Minute Weeknight Dinner with Fresh Slaw

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Quick and easy crispy fish tacos with a fresh, tangy slaw, perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe delivers a satisfying crunch and bright flavors in just 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) white fish fillets (such as cod or tilapia), thawed and patted dry
  • ยฝ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ยพ cup (90g) plain breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
  • 1 large egg, beaten (room temperature)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ยฝ cup (120ml) vegetable oil, for frying
  • 2 cups (150g) green cabbage, shredded
  • 1 medium carrot, grated
  • ยผ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas (6-inch or about 15cm diameter)
  • Optional garnishes: sliced avocado, chopped jalapeรฑos, sour cream or crema

Instructions

  1. Rinse the fish fillets under cold water and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Cut into taco-sized strips, about 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) long.
  2. In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, grated carrot, and chopped cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss until evenly coated. Set aside.
  3. Place flour mixed with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika in one shallow dish. Beat the egg in a second dish. Mix panko breadcrumbs with cornstarch in a third shallow dish.
  4. Dredge the fish strips first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Then dip into the beaten egg, letting excess drip off. Finally, press into the breadcrumb mixture, coating all sides. Place breaded fish on a plate ready for frying. Refrigerate for 10 minutes if coating feels too loose.
  5. Heat about ยผ inch (6 mm) of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 350ยฐF / 175ยฐC). Fry fish strips in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  6. Quickly warm tortillas in a dry skillet or wrapped in a damp paper towel in the microwave for 30 seconds.
  7. Assemble tacos by placing a few crispy fish strips on each tortilla, topping with fresh slaw, and adding optional garnishes like avocado slices or sour cream. Serve immediately.

Notes

Dry fish thoroughly before breading to ensure coating sticks well. Mix cornstarch with panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness. Maintain oil temperature around 350ยฐF to avoid greasy or burnt fish. Fry in batches to keep oil temperature steady. Warm tortillas before assembling to prevent tearing. Refrigerate breaded fish for 10 minutes if coating is loose. Reheat leftover fish in a skillet to restore crispness; avoid microwaving.

Nutrition

Keywords: fish tacos, crispy fish, weeknight dinner, quick recipe, fresh slaw, easy tacos, panko fish, healthy tacos