Homemade McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish burger! An epic fish burger that tastes remarkably similar to the real deal with the added bonus that it’s bigger, you know what goes in it, and it’s healthier ’cause it’s BAKED!! (Though you can totally fry it)
Homemade Filet O Fish Burger
Skip the Drive Through of Shame. It’s incredibly quick and easy to make Filet-O-Fish at home, and you don’t even need to fry!
Plus, you can make bigger ones at home. Ever notice how small the Maccers Filet-O-Fish are? Those teeny fish burgers barely scrape the bottom of my stomach.
At least we can make proper meal-size ones at home!
A homemade fish burger with a crunchy crumb that tastes just like McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish!
Baked Crumbed Fish Patties
I’ve been making faux oven-fried things most of my adult life, and for most of that time was disappointed by how the crumb came out all splotchy with white & burnt bits no matter how brutally I doused with oil spray.
So this is how I make all things crumbed in the oven: toast the breadcrumbs + one seasoned dredge batter with stronger glueing powers + oil spray = guaranteed golden, crunchy baked crumbed anything (baked crumbed fish, in this case). 🙂
I just recently shared a baked crumbed Chicken Tenders recipe using this same method where I wrote more about the logic so if you’re so inclined, pop over there for a read. It’s all driven by love of fried food vs waist and bottom expansion. The bonus is clean hands – no marshmallow fingers!
Yes, your fish will come out warped. They won’t be perfectly square and flat, like the boxed ones in the frozen section of the supermarket. We’re using fresh fish here, so warpage is the price we pay for true fish flavour and texture.
I’m totally cool with that!
Copycat McDonald’s Tartare Sauce
A quick inspection of the Filet-O-Fish ingredients followed by a taste test (yes, I did the Drive Through of Shame for this recipe!) is all it took to ascertain that the Tartare Sauce is pretty standard. Mayo, pickles / gherkins, capers, lemon juice, salt, sugar, parsley.
It’s just my basic Tartare Sauce recipe, minus dill plus a touch extra sugar (surprise, surprise 😂).
I make my homemade Filet-O-Fish burger using brioche buns because they are the closest to the super soft, super sweet buns used by McDonald’s. Though…. not as sweet and not quite as soft… but close enough!
And as for the cheese, in the spirit of copy-catting, I used this smoked processed cheese that I found at Coles (Aussie supermarket) with the signature Maccers orange hue but strangely lacking in smoked flavour. 🤔 So it’s perfect!
But any processed cheese will do. Or you could be a real rebel and use real cheese. 😳 – Nagi x
More burgers
Chicken Burger – juicy seasoned chicken breast steak with the lot!
Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burger – chicken marinated in a homemade flavour bomb Peri Peri sauce
Veggie Burger – Meatless made amazing. Puts those doughy bricks at the shops to shame!
Browse all Burgers and Sandwiches & Sliders recipes
And more fish recipes!
Watch how to make it
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Homemade Filet-O-Fish Burger (BAKED!)
Ingredients
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs (Note 1)
- 400 – 500 g / 0.8 – 1 lb white fish fillets , flat / thin (I used Ling, Note 2)
- 4 soft buns , brioche recommended (Note 3)
- 4 slices processed cheese (Note 4)
- Oil spray (I use olive oil)
Dredge Batter (Note 5):
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard (or other mustard)
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper
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 lemon juice , fresh (or cider vinegar)
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
Tartare Sauce:
- Mix ingredients in a bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes+.
Toast Breadcrumbs:
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
- Spread breadcrumbs on a tray. Spray with oil directly down, not from side.
- Bake for 3 – 5 minutes until golden. Immediately transfer to bowl.
- Brush tray clean, spray with oil.
Crumbing / baking:
- Cut fish fillets into square-ish shapes slightly larger than the buns (they shrink when cooked).
- Mix Batter ingredients in a bowl.
- Carefully coat fish in batter (handle with care, fish fillets can be delicate).
- Place in breadcrumbs. Use other hand to cover top and sides with breadcrumbs, pressing to adhere. Transfer to tray. Repeat with remaining fish.
- Bake 12 – 15 minutes until fish is cooked through. Immediately top with cheese – allow residual heat to make it semi melt (do not oven melt processed cheese, you get a plasticy film!).
Assemble:
- Cut buns in half, microwave for 20 seconds to warm through (microwave = stays soft).
- Top with fish and cheese, dollop with tartare sauce. Devour!
Recipe Notes:
* Tartare Sauce – Makes more tartare than probably required but it’s a tragedy if there’s no enough so I err on the side of caution. Keeps for ages in fridge.
* Fry option – follow dredge / crumb / fry steps in this Schnitzel recipe (video included)
* More background about this toasting / unusual single Dredge Batter / oven-fried technique in this Crunchy Baked Chicken Tenders recipe. It’s all driven by love of fried food / attempt to control waist expansion. 7. Nutrition per serving, assuming 1/2 cup of tartare sauce is used across all 4 burgers.
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
How am I supposed to work when this golden furry head keeps butting in to see what I’m doing??
My breadcrumbs didn’t stick during baking🤷♀️ dont know what I did wrong followed the recipe exactly. The underside was also soggy not crunchy. Could it be because I put it on baking paper? I still assembled it all and ate it. Tasted amazing!
Hi Maree, sorry you had issues here – if you cooked it on baking paper, any liquid from the fish will sit on the crumbs and cause it to fall off and become soggy. N x
The both fish and tartar sauce was soo good! I tried ur browning panko technique with Tonkatsu years ago, but it was done using pan frying. Oven method was much easier! Thank u for another fantastic tasty recipe. I will definitely make it again.
Baking the breadcrumbs initially was such a game changer! Was deliciously crispy! Family loved it, thank you!!
I don’t really like fish but am trying to eat healthier! Anytime I try to bake battered fish it’s mushy on the other side! Any simple recipes/ideas would be appreciated!!
Hi! Thank you for sharing your recipe, I know it’s going to taste amazing already. Can I ask, what oven temperature you bake the fish on? Thanks!
Hi Mehreen, it’s listed in step 1 when toasting the breadcrumbs – the oven remains the same temperature at 180C/350F. N x
This recipe is fantastic! Far, far better than McDonald’s.
Thanks so much Lynn, and homemade is soooo much more satisfying 🙂 N x
Did I come here because everyone is thinking the same thing..’I want a filet-o-fish burger’and I’ll make my own because McDonald’s only does takeout.
Homemade is SO much better anyway! N x
Thank you for bringing joy into my life! My mom loves the filet-o-fish, but too afraid to eat takeout right now. She loves this recipe!
I made your Brazilian Stew Recipe but substituted homemade crispy oven baked seasoned potatoes instead of bell peppers and used vine tomatoes versus canned crushed tomatoes. The dish came out superb! Thank you for the recipe. I served it with my side dish of seasoned rice. 😋
YUM, that sounds fantastic Courtney! N x
Hi Nagi, just came across your Baked Crumbed Fish Patties and was wondering if I baked up a bunch of panko if it would store ok? I’m excited to try this recipe, and will definitely check out your other recipes. Thanks for all your effort and info.
Yes definitely Tracy!! N x
Hi am absolutely loving your recipes! Just seeing if you use traditional mayo or whole egg mayo for the sauce?
Hi Mel, I use whole egg 🙂 N x
Made these for dinner tonight and what an absolute hit they were 👌🏽 New addition to our Good Friday menu! Thanks Nagi we love ALL your recipes
Perfect Sarah! N X
Made these, Im shoveling my burger into my mouth as I write this. The whole family loved them . Only thing I did differently was add some chopped chives and a tsp mustard to the sauce otherwise followed to a tea. Yummo!Thankyou once again for such a wonderful recipe!
i would like to now of a sub for mustard
sorry for the repeated question
is there substitute for mustard ?
Been meaning to make these for a while and finally got round to it tonight. Was not disappointed, they were so good and enjoyed by everyone. Thanks for another keeper Nagi 😊
That’s awesome to hear Sue – thanks so much! N x
We had this for dinner tonight and it was epic. My husband who refuses to eat at Maccas had two burgers and wanted more! Thanks for being so generous at sharing your recipes Nagi. Can’t wait to try another one soon!
And so much better that it’s homemade Jacinta! ❤️
I made this for dinner tonight and the family raved about it! They all said it’s much better than McDonald’s! Thank you for all your inspiring recipes! Absolutely fabulous!
Wahoo! That’s great to hear Angel!
I’m about ready to try your filet of fish recipe and was wondering if it would work (or even be better) in one of the new air fryers. If so, how long to ‘fry’ the filets? Thanks, Mike in RC.
Hi Mike, I imagine so, I haven’t tried so can’t give you en exact time – love to know how it goes if you try it!! N x
Hi. This recipe looks delish. But is there any substitute for the egg? What would you suggest.
TiA
Hi Tan, you could use an egg substitute – I’v tried with a chia egg and it’s worked perfectly – N x