Easy Gluten-Free Breaded Fish Recipe & Tartar Sauce
This easy gluten-free breaded fish recipe with Greek yogurt tartar sauce is perfect for a quick meal. Flaky white fish is coated in gluten-free breading, pan-fried, and served with homemade tartar sauce made with lemon, relish, mustard, garlic, and dill. A perfect weeknight dish for tacos, sandwiches, or fish and chips!
This is the easiest gluten-free breaded fish recipe paired with a homemade Greek yogurt tartar sauce that I make all the time for my family! The flaky white fish is coated in a simple gluten-free breading and pan-fried in just a little oil for a perfectly crispy texture. When combined with the tangy tartar sauce—made with fresh lemon, relish, dijon mustard, garlic, and dill—you’ve got a quick, satisfying meal.
Using my Hexclad Hybrid Frying Pan (endorsed by Gordon Ramsey) gives the fish an incredible golden crust without needing a deep fryer. Whether you’re serving this fish with chips, in tacos, or as a sandwich, it’s always a hit, and it’s so easy to whip up on a busy weeknight!
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Why You’ll Love This Light Pan-Fried Cod Recipe
- Quick and easy: This recipe comes together fast for a busy weeknight meal, with minimal prep and cooking time.
- Crispy texture: Pan-frying in a little oil creates a crispy, golden crust without the heaviness of deep-frying.
- Homemade tartar sauce: Fresh ingredients like lemon, relish, and dill give the sauce a delicious, tangy flavor that complements the fish perfectly.
- Gluten-free friendly: With simple gluten-free breading, this recipe works for anyone avoiding gluten without sacrificing taste.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best gluten-free breaded fish and tartar sauce:
White Fish: You can substitute with another firm, white-fleshed fish such as cod, haddock, tilapia, mahi mahi, or halibut. Alternatively, you could use salmon or trout if you prefer. You can use fresh fish or frozen fish. You can also use fish fillets and cut them to the desired size.
Tapioca Flour: Also known as tapioca starch. You can also use cornstarch or arrowroot powder.
Large Egg: You can replace it with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water).
Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs: You can use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, almond flour, gluten-free crackers, crushed cornflakes, ground oats or all-purpose flour.
Almond Flour: You can omit and use all gluten-free bread crumbs.
Light Olive Oil: You can replace it with your favorite cooking oil, including avocado oil, extra-virgin olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil.
Garlic Powder: You can use finely minced fresh garlic or garlic paste as a substitute.
Paprika: Smoked paprika or chili powder can be used for a different flavor profile.
Onion Powder: Finely minced fresh onion or onion paste can be used as a substitute.
Salt: Any type of salt you have on hand will work, such as kosher salt or sea salt.
Lemon Pepper or Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper is a good substitute for lemon pepper. You can also add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the batter for a similar flavor.
Greek Yogurt: If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can use plain yogurt or dairy-free yogurt alternatives like coconut or almond yogurt.
Mayonnaise: You can omit the mayo and replace with the same amount of greek yogurt.
Relish: Finely chopped pickles or capers can replace relish.
Lemon Juice: Lime juice or white wine vinegar can be used instead of lemon juice.
Dijon Mustard: Yellow mustard or stone-ground mustard can be used as substitutes for Dijon mustard.
Dried Dill: Fresh dill, chopped finely, can replace dried dill. You can also use other herbs like parsley or cilantro.
How to Make My Gluten-Free Breaded Fish with Almond Flour Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Fish
Pat the white fish fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Cut the fillets into smaller fish pieces if desired and set aside.
Step 2: Bread the Fish
In three separate shallow bowls or plates, set up your breading station. In the first bowl, place tapioca flour. In the second bowl, beat the egg. In the third bowl, combine gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and lemon pepper or black pepper. Mix well to combine the spices with the breadcrumbs or almond flour.
Dredge each fish fillet in tapioca flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip the fish into the beaten egg, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Finally, coat the fish with the seasoned breadcrumb or almond flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere the breading to the fish.
Step 3: Pan-Fry the Fish
In a large skillet or frying pan, heat 2-4 tablespoons of oil (light olive oil is my fave) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the breaded pieces of fish into the hot oil. Cook the fish for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Depending on the thickness of the fillets, cooking time may vary. Transfer the cooked fish to a paper towel-lined tray to drain any excess oil.
Step 4: Make the Greek Yogurt Tartar Sauce
In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, relish, lemon juice, dijon mustard, garlic powder, dried dill, sea salt, and ground black pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
You can serve the sauce immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Healthy Pan-Fried Breaded Fish and Greek Yogurt Tartar Sauce Recipe Notes
Fish Selection: Choose fresh or thawed white fish fillets for the best flavor and texture. Ensure they are patted dry to help the breading adhere better.
Breading Technique: To ensure even coating, use one hand for dipping the fish in the wet ingredients (egg) and the other hand for coating with the dry ingredients (breadcrumb mixture). This helps prevent the breading from becoming clumpy.
Cooking Time: The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fish fillets. Cook them on each side until the breading is golden brown and crispy.
Tartar Sauce Variations: You can add more spice, salt, or a dash of hot sauce according to your taste preferences.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve the breaded fish with your favorite side dishes such as roasted vegetables, coleslaw, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal. Lemon wedges can be served alongside for squeezing over the fish before eating. The breaded fish also tastes amazing in fish tacos, a fish sandwich, or as fish and chips with russet potato wedges, homemade fries or frozen french fries. You can also slice the fish long and thin before breading to make gluten free fish sticks.
Do you love fish? Check out more of my easy and healthy fish recipes:
Easy Gluten-Free Breaded Fish and Tartar Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
Breaded Fish:
- 1 pound white fish (cod, tilapia, mahi mahi)
- 1/3 cup tapioca flour
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup gluten-free bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper (or 1/8 tsp black pepper)
- 1/4 cup oil for frying (light olive is my fave)
Greek Yogurt Tartar Sauce
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 tablespoon sweet relish
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- dash black pepper
Instructions
Breaded Fish:
- Pat the white fish fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Cut the fillets into smaller fish pieces if desired and set aside.
- In three separate shallow bowls or plates, set up your breading station. In the first bowl, place tapioca flour. In the second bowl, beat the egg. In the third bowl, combine gluten-free breadcrumbs and almond flour with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and lemon pepper or black pepper. Mix well to combine the spices with the breadcrumbs or almond flour.Dredge each fish fillet in tapioca flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip the fish into the beaten egg, ensuring it's evenly coated. Finally, coat the fish with the seasoned breadcrumb or almond flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere the breading to the fish.
- In a large skillet or frying pan, heat 2-4 tablespoons of oil (light olive oil is my fave) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the breaded pieces of fish into the hot oil. Cook the fish for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Depending on the thickness of the fillets, cooking time may vary. Transfer the cooked fish to a paper towel-lined tray to drain any excess oil.
Greek Yogurt Tartar Sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, relish, lemon juice, dijon mustard, garlic powder, dried dill, sea salt, and ground black pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.You can serve the sauce immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Video
Is there a possible substitute in place of the egg? Can I use a flaxegg? Have you happened to try an alternative?
That is an excellent question, Rebecca 🙂 I haven’t tried it, but yes, you can use flaxegg. Here is an answer from AI…
Flaxseed Meal: This is a common vegan egg substitute. Here’s what you’ll need:
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal
3 tablespoons water
Mix the flaxseed meal with the water and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This will create a gel-like consistency that acts as a binder similar to an egg. Then, use this mixture in place of the egg in your recipe.
This is so delicious!! It was easy to make and the flavoring was superb! I will be making this again.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipe!
Hi Carolyn! I’m so glad you love this recipe! It’s one of my favorites, too.
Hello! Great recipe for fried fish! I’ve been doing something like this for some time. I often use a generous scoop of turmeric in the flour with smoky paprika and salt and pepper
Great flavor and color! Then a side of steamed veggies and rice goes good in my house!
Hi Janet, thank you 🙂 And thank you for sharing these seasoning suggestions! I’ll have to try adding turmeric the next time I make these which will be very soon 🙂
So much flavor for being gluten free! My family is forever in your debt❤️
Awe, thank you Bekah! I’m so glad your family loves this recipe 🙂
I wasnt sure about gluten free breading, but it is delicious, and the tartar sauce is tangy, I love it
Hi Les, I’m so glad you gave the gluten-free breading a chance! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Honestly really, really good
Thank you, Bryce, for the feedback!! 🙂
I’ve never pan-fried fish before and this recipe was soooo easy! We loved the flavor in the breading. The almond flour tastes really good and we loved that it’s gluten free!! I used tilapia and was so excited with how crispy and juicy it turned out. And the tarter sauce is amazing!! I can’t wait to make it again with cod.
Hi Felicia, I’m so excited my recipe was your first time making fish!! It’s so easy and yummy!! Thank you for the feedback 🙂