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Crispy Fish Tacos

10 July 2025
Cooking Time
30 mins
Servings
4
Difficulty
Easy
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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.