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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Seafood

    Easy Fish Tacos

    Published: May 29, 2020 · Modified: May 11, 2022 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links · 48 Comments

    122 shares
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    Jump to Recipe
    Fish Tacos with a text title overlay.

    These Fish Tacos are light, colourful, packed full of flavour and just enough spice to get your taste buds tingling. Deliciously crispy fish, a fresh and crunchy zesty slaw and the BEST taco sauce to just finish everything off. These easy tacos are on the table in just 20 minutes and one our our favourite ways to cook with fish.

    Four Fish Tacos in a rectangular bowl next to bowls of guacamole, salsa and slaw.

    This is one of our favourite taco recipes to make because they are just so light and fresh.

    If you are trying to eat more fish, then this is a great place to start and makes a nice change from meaty tacos. Looking to eat more white fish? Why not try our Cod Curry or Mediterranean Cod Bake.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love them
    • Ingredients needed
    • How to make fish tacos - Step by step
    • Health benefits of cod
    • Serving suggestions
    • Healthy swap
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Extra tips
    • More Mexican recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love them

    • Easily adapted - You can adjust the seasoning for this to be more or less spicy.
    • Can be prepped ahead of time - You can bread the cod and make all the toppings ahead of time and then just cook the fish and assemble when you are ready to eat.
    • Low in calories - There are just 313 calories a portion and these fish taco are really filling too.
    • Easy to batch cook to feed a crowd - You can easily double or triple this recipe, making it perfect for when you have people over.

    Ingredients needed

    • Cod - We used boneless and skinless cod fillets for this recipe. You could use frozen too (and defrosted), which sometimes work out cheaper.
    • Herbs and spices - You can use a store bought Mexican seasoning, or you can follow our easy recipe for Mexican Seasoning.
    • Flour - This is important as it goes on the cod first and gives the egg something to cling to. We just used plain flour.
    • Egg - This gives the breadcrumbs something to stick to, otherwise they would just come right off.
    • Bread - This is blended up to make breadcrumbs. You could use store bought breadcrumbs if you prefer.
    • Chipotle en adobo - This is where all the flavour of the sauce comes from. You can either blend up your own chipotle chillies or use chipotle paste.
    • Sour cream and Yogurt - You can use reduced fat if you wanted to save some calories, but the full fat versions have the most flavour.
    • Lime - This adds a nice freshness to the sauce.
    • Tortillas, slaw, cheese and lettuce - Optional toppings

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    How to make fish tacos - Step by step

    One: Mix the fish seasoning together with the bread crumbs in a bowl. Put the egg in another bowl and the flour in a third bowl.

    Four plates, one with chunks of white fish, one with flour, one with whisked egg and one with breadcrumbs.

    Two: Dip each fish piece in the flour, then the egg and then the breadcrumbs.

    Chunks of fish being coated in flour, egg and breadcrumbs.

    Three: Put on a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes, until cooked through and crispy.

    A baking tray with twelve pieces of coated fish.

    Four: Mix the ingredients for the sauce together.

    A small wooden bowl containing chipotle cream.

    Five: Assemble the tacos with shredded lettuce, Mexican slaw, fish, sauce and feta.

    Fish Tacos in a serving dish next to guacamole and salsa.

    Health benefits of cod

    Cod is a great source of protein and it is also low in fat. If you are looking to add more fish to your diet, then this is an easy one to start with, as it doesn't have a really strong flavour and it is easy to cook.

    Because it is low in fat, it's a great choice for those looking to reduce their fat intake and improve their heart health. Although cod doesn't have as much Omega-3s as fatty fish like salmon, it still has lots of nutritional benefits.

    For example, it is a good source of B vitamins, which are good for metabolising nutrients and releasing energy from food. Cod is also low in mercury, compared to other fish like tuna.

    An open soft taco with coated fish, slaw and chipotle sauce.

    Serving suggestions

    Tacos are really all about the toppings and we have tried to fit as many as we can in these. Once you have your crispy fish as a base, then it is time to go wild with the toppings. The creamy sauce is a must, but then we add piles of Easy Mexican Coleslaw. It has the usual coleslaw base of cabbage, carrot and onion, but then some Greek yogurt, loads of lime and some coriander (cilantro) and lots of Mexican seasoning.

    You can then add some avocado (a Mexican food essential) and some kind of cheese if you like. If you can find cotija, then that works well. But you could use crumbled feta instead. A few chunks of fresh tomato and some coriander go down well on these tacos too.

    On the side we like to serve some chips and salsa. Why not try our Baked Tortilla Chips or Air Fryer Tortilla Chips and Restaurant Style Salsa. For something a bit different, this Pineapple Salsa adds some lovely flavour.

    heart icon

    Healthy swap

    If you are looking for a lower carb alternative to tortilla wraps, then why not try a giant iceberg lettuce leaf. It can get a little messy, but what is Mexican food without a little bit of mess? It would work well with romaine lettuce too. You don't even have to bread the fish and you can just use the spices and cook it.

    Variations

    I would go as far to say that the sauce really makes these tacos. It's creamy, it's smoky, it's spicy. It really is everything you could want from a taco sauce. We used a mix of Greek yogurt and sour cream (you could use all sour cream, but using half Greek yogurt makes it that little bit lighter) some lime juice, lots of garlic and some chipotle paste. You could just use a drizzle of sriracha though if you wanted to save some time.

    If you don't want a spicy sauce, then just an avocado cream would work well. There are lots of different options here to suit everyone's tastes.

    You could do beer battered fish, but this version is a little bit healthier and still nice and crispy. I find that if we are making fish tacos it's because we are craving something a little bit healthy. You could use panko breadcrumbs too.

    A serving dish full of Fish Tacos.

    Storage

    Fish tacos are best eaten fresh, so try to make only as much as you need. If you have anything leftover, try to store it all separately and don't make up the tacos as they will go soggy once made up. These tacos are not suitable for freezing.

    Frequently asked questions

    What fish is used in fish tacos?

    We used cod, however in the US you will find tilapia often used. You could use another white fish like haddock instead of cod, or even chunks of salmon. Why not try using king prawns as an alternative too. If you don't want to use fish at all, then you could use chunks of breaded chicken or tofu.

    Are fish tacos gluten free?

    If you use gluten free breadcrumbs and tortillas then these can be gluten free. Just watch out for cross contamination.

    What is the best way to warm tortillas?

    We would always recommend warming tortillas before using them to make these tacos, otherwise they are likely to crack. The best way to warm them is one by one in a dry skillet and then keep them all warm in a wrapped up towel on a plate. You could also stack them and put them in the microwave for 30 seconds.

    How to cook fish for fish tacos.

    We cooked ours in the oven to keep them lighter. However deep frying it would have more flavour.

    Are fish tacos spicy?

    These do have a little bit of a kick to them from the seasoning and the fish and then the sauce. However, you can adjust it to use less if you don't like too much heat.

    Can I cook the fish in the air fryer?

    Yes, you can and it will make this recipe even quicker. Put the breaded cod in the air fryer at 180°C for 12-15 minutes, until cooked through.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • Make these tacos gluten free by using gluten free breadcrumbs and gluten free tortillas.
    • If you don't like spicy food, then skip the chilli in the fish seasoning and then make an avocado cream rather than the chipotle sauce.
    • Make the slaw and bread the fish in advance to save you some time. Then you can just put the breaded fish in the oven when you are ready to eat.
    • Make lower carb tacos by skipping the breading and just baking the spiced fish and then serving it in giant lettuce laves rather than soft tacos.

    More Mexican recipes

    • Four pulled pork tacos on a wooden surface.
      Pulled Pork Tacos
    • A serving bowl of Hallomi Fajita filling surrounded by flour tortillas, guacamole, salsa and refried beans
      Easy Halloumi Fajitas
    • A chicken burrito bowl next to half an avocado and some coriander.
      Chicken Burrito Bowl
    • Breakfast Nachos on a large blue plate.
      Breakfast Nachos

    If you’ve tried this fish taco recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    Fish Tacos in a serving dish next to guacamole and salsa

    Easy Fish Tacos

    By: Dannii Martin
    These fish tacos are light, colourful, packed full of flavour and just enough spice to get your taste buds tingling.
    5 from 55 votes
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican, Tex Mex
    Prep: 10 minutes mins
    Cook: 20 minutes mins
    Total: 30 minutes mins
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 313kcal
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    An illustration of a cracked egg.
    Eggs
    An illustration of a fish.
    Fish
    An illustration of two ears of wheat.
    Gluten
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    Ingredients

    For the fish filling

    • 250 g (9 oz) Cod fillets - cut into chunks
    • 0.25 teaspoon Paprika
    • 0.25 teaspoon Chilli powder
    • 0.25 teaspoon Cumin
    • 0.25 teaspoon Ground coriander
    • 0.25 teaspoon Garlic powder
    • 2 slices Bread - made in to breadcrumbs
    • 1 Egg - beaten
    • 2 tablespoon Plain flour

    For the cream

    • 1 tablespoon Chipotle en adobo
    • 4 tablespoon Sour cream
    • 4 tablespoon Greek yogurt
    • 1 tablespoon Lime juice

    Other

    • 4 Mini flour tortillas
    • 2 portions Mexican Coleslaw
    • 40 g (0.25 cups) Feta
    • 1 Little gem lettuce - shredded

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 7.
    • Mix 0.25 teaspoon Paprika, 0.25 teaspoon Chilli powder, 0.25 teaspoon Cumin, 0.25 teaspoon Ground coriander and 0.25 teaspoon Garlic powder together with breadcrumbs made from 2 slices Bread in a bowl. Put 1 Egg (whisked) in another bowl and 2 tablespoon Plain flour in a third bowl.
    • Dip 250 g Cod fillets into the flour, then the egg and then the breadcrumbs.
    • Put on a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes, until cooked through and crispy.
    • Mix together 1 tablespoon Chipotle en adobo, 4 tablespoon Sour cream, 4 tablespoon Greek yogurt, and 1 tablespoon Lime juice. This is your sauce.
    • Assemble the tacos with 4 Mini flour tortillas,1 Little gem lettuce, 2 portions Mexican Coleslaw, the cooked fish, sauce and 40 g Feta.

    Recipe tips

    • Make these tacos gluten free by using gluten free breadcrumbs and gluten free tortillas.
    • If you don't like spicy food, then skip the chilli in the fish seasoning and then make an avocado cream rather than the chipotle sauce.
    • Make the slaw and bread the fish in advance to save you some time. Then you can just put the breaded fish in the oven when you are ready to eat.
    • Make lower carb tacos by skipping the breading and just baking the spiced fish and then serving it in giant lettuce laves rather than soft tacos.
    • Our Jalapeno Sauce would go well with these if you want to up the spice!

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 2tacos | Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 160mg | Potassium: 1577mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 3761IU | Vitamin C: 149mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 3mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gingi

      May 07, 2015 at 10:17 pm

      5 stars
      That slaw sounds TASTY!!! I need to stop trolling food bogs while hungry

      Reply
    2. Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness

      May 07, 2015 at 7:12 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yea, I totally made Mexican food on Cinco de Mayo! I made brown rice and beans with lots of guacamole.

      Reply
    3. Lori @ TheHealthMinded.com

      May 07, 2015 at 1:49 pm

      Thanks for the clarification about Cinco De Mayo - how did all the confusion happen regarding that? Lovely recipe and I really like the lettuce leaf idea! Much happiness for you with your book coming along!

      Reply
    4. Joanne

      May 07, 2015 at 11:46 am

      Any excuse to eat tacos! I love making them at home because you can make them so much healthier and tastier than at restaurants...like these!

      Reply
    5. lucie

      May 07, 2015 at 11:20 am

      5 stars
      Woahhhhh mango slaw? Ive heard of brocolli slaw but this is a new one im going to have to try!

      Reply
    6. Izzy

      May 07, 2015 at 7:27 am

      5 stars
      Is it weird if I think that guacamole coming out of my pores sounds like a good thing?! I could eat it everyday along with these tacos! They sound awesome!

      Reply
    7. Savita @ ChefDeHome

      May 07, 2015 at 12:20 am

      5 stars
      Love the flavors you put together, Dannii! Perfect treat for summer season! I can have these for dinner today! Yumm!

      Reply
    8. Emma

      May 06, 2015 at 9:08 pm

      5 stars
      We made your BBQ shredded chicken tacos last night. They were amazing. I will making your chipotle sauce next time to go with it.

      Reply
    9. Kelley @ Chef Savvy

      May 06, 2015 at 8:57 pm

      Fish tacos are one of my favorite meals. Love your version!

      Reply
    10. Lauren @ ihadabiglunch

      May 06, 2015 at 2:25 pm

      5 stars
      I'm SUCH a huge fan of fish tacos, especially in the summer. I tend to pick the fried fish options but when you find a good fish taco that is so flavorful it doesn't need to be fried, that's when you know you have a winner. Slaw is so necessary for a fish taco, thank you for respecting that ;)

      Reply
    11. Alison

      May 06, 2015 at 12:15 pm

      Love the idea of fish tacos. I have some prawns, I might try making tacos with them as a wild experiment

      Reply
    12. [email protected]

      May 06, 2015 at 10:34 am

      5 stars
      I love fish tacos. I seem to always order them out when they are in the menu. The slaw on them sounds delicious. I have only ever had that orange creamy sauce that usually comes w them.

      Reply
    13. MissPond

      May 06, 2015 at 10:02 am

      5 stars
      Where do you get your mini tortillas from Dannii?

      I fell in love with fish tacos after staying in San Diego, I'm definitely going to have to try and recreate them :) x

      Reply
    14. Marie

      May 06, 2015 at 8:43 am

      I missed cinco de Mayo, but I am going to make these this weekend. The coleslaw sounds delicious.

      Reply
    15. Kezia @ Super Naturally Healthy

      May 06, 2015 at 8:30 am

      5 stars
      Its official - you are the queen of coleslaw :) So many varieties that all look so GOOD!

      Reply
    16. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter

      May 06, 2015 at 8:18 am

      5 stars
      These tacos look fantastic, Dannii! I love the mango jalapeno slaw!! So glad that you’ll be able to slow down a bit soon!

      Reply
    17. Ami@NaiveCookCooks

      May 06, 2015 at 4:05 am

      5 stars
      Girl everything about these tacos look so delicious! I have tilapia in my freezer so I think I will be making them soon!

      Reply
    18. Annie @ The Garlic Diaries

      May 06, 2015 at 1:21 am

      5 stars
      Yum, yum, yum! I love tacos!!! Can't wait to try these. Mango jalapeno slaw....drooling!

      Reply
    19. Oliver Long

      May 05, 2015 at 11:02 pm

      Wow how great do these look!! I have never heard of fish tacos before but it's definitely something I'd like to try as I love Mexican/South American food!

      Oliver

      Reply
    20. Ashley

      May 05, 2015 at 9:02 pm

      5 stars
      You sold me with that mango jalapeno slaw! That sounds fantastic! Glad to hear you'll be able to slow down a bit soon!

      Reply
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