Crispy Fish Tacos

🌮 Crispy Fish Tacos
Servings: Makes 8–10 tacos
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Category: Main Course / Street-Style Tacos
Keywords: crispy fish tacos, fish taco recipe, Baja-style tacos, easy seafood tacos, cod fish tacos, fried white fish tacos, fish tacos with lime slaw
These crispy fish tacos are crunchy, flavorful, and topped with a zesty lime slaw and creamy taco sauce. Flaky white fish is seasoned and pan-fried until golden, then wrapped in warm tortillas and finished with fresh toppings. Whether it's Taco Tuesday, a summer BBQ, or a casual weeknight dinner, this quick seafood taco recipe is always a hit.
Perfectly balanced in texture and flavor, they’re restaurant-quality tacos made simple—ready in under 40 minutes.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Fish:
- 1 lb white fish (cod, halibut, or tilapia), cut into strips
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk
- Neutral oil (vegetable or canola) for frying
For the Slaw:
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- ¼ cup shredded carrot
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
- Salt, to taste
For the Taco Sauce:
- ⅓ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
Additional:
- 8–10 small corn or flour tortillas
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Optional toppings: avocado, pickled onions, jalapeños
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prep the fish:
Cut the fish into even strips. In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg and milk. In another bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. - Dredge and fry:
Dip fish in egg mixture, then dredge in flour mixture until fully coated. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and fry fish until golden and crispy, about 2–3 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain. - Make slaw & sauce:
In a bowl, toss cabbage and carrot with lime juice, cilantro, and salt. In another bowl, stir together all taco sauce ingredients until smooth. - Assemble tacos:
Warm tortillas. Layer with slaw, crispy fish, a drizzle of taco sauce, and your favorite toppings.
💡 Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch: Try using a beer batter or panko breadcrumb coating.
- Low-carb option: Serve over lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.
- Add flavor: Top with pickled jalapeños, avocado slices, or mango salsa.
- Fish substitutions: Use shrimp, mahi-mahi, or even salmon chunks.
📦 Storage
- Fried fish: Store in an airtight container and reheat in an oven or air fryer for crispiness.
- Slaw & sauce: Can be prepped a day ahead. Store refrigerated in separate containers.
- Assemble fresh: For best texture, assemble tacos just before serving.