My easy oven-baked Fish and Chips recipe is a lightened up take on the fried version that cooks on ONE pan. Panko makes the fish crispy outside and tender inside!
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Forget the fish fry, baked fish and chips are even better!
Here in Wisconsin, fish and chips are a way of life. Every year, restaurants compete for the title of best fish fry. But here’s a secret: I love this lightened up baked fish and chips recipe most of all.
I grew up eating fish and chips at my hometown parish fish fry during Lent. I’ve frequented the Best Fish Fry award winners here in Wisconsin where fish fry is sacred year-round. Fish and chips is the dish I ordered the first time I ever traveled abroad at a British pub in London.
And yet! I still favor this baked version.
The fish fry is a beloved classic for a reason, and every once in a while, a greasy-napkin basket of beer battered fish and chips hits the spot. 99.9% of the time, however, I’m much happier with this easy baked fish and chips. And to make this recipe even easier, the chips (a.k.a. fries) bake on the same sheet pan as the fish. You’ll have just one pan to wash in the end!
5 Star Review
“It was PHENOMENAL! This couldn’t have been easier or more delicious. The fries were the icing on the cake.”
— Jasmine —
Notes on Ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.
- White Fish. You should use any firm, white fish for fish and chips. I typically make fish and chips with cod, because it is widely available and inexpensive. Haddock and pollock would also work well. Halibut is another unquestionably delicious option. It does come at a premium price, however, so be prepared if that’s the direction you choose.
- Buttermilk + Seafood Seasoning (such as Old Bay). The delicious, flavorful, and easy fish marinade. Buttermilk tenderizes the fish and adds flavor too.
- Egg Whites. Typically, the fish batter is made with flour, beer, and seasonings. Since I wanted to make this a fish and chips recipe without beer, I found an alternative. Using egg whites with the seasonings instead makes this recipe lighter and ensures the panko adheres to the outside of the fish.
- Whole Wheat Panko. For the best baked fish, I recommend panko instead of regular breadcrumbs. Panko is a style of Japanese bread crumbs that is larger. It creates a more crunchy exterior.
- Potatoes. I opted for thick-cut oven baked potato wedges made from russet potatoes. Wedges are easier to prep than thin-cut chips, take up less space on the pan, and bake up irresistibly crisp and golden. They are also most similar to ones you’ll find in the country that is famous for fish and chips, England.
The Secret to Crispy Oven-Baked Fish and Chips
Like the beer battered fish and chips recipes you’ll find in bars, my baked version is golden and crispy on the outside, and the fish is moist and tender on the inside.
The secret to this perfect crispy exterior and tender interior combination is the double dredge.
The fish fillets are first dredged in flour (the first dredge), then egg whites (the binder), then seasoned panko breadcrumbs (the second dredge).
Thanks to the double dredge, the fish fillets bake up crispy on the outside, while the inside stays moist and flaky. This baked fish is tender but retains a pleasant firmness. It doesn’t taste greasy or fall apart.
The double dredge might seem tedious, but when you taste the crispy fish results, you will see that the extra step is WORTH IT.
A Few More Tips
- Choose the Right Fish. Do not use a flaky white fish, such as tilapia or snapper, as they will not hold together as well.
- Switch Up the Cooking for Thinner Fries. If you’d like a thinner style of chips that resembles a more classic French fry, check out my recipe for homemade Baked French Fries.
- Get a Head Start. The fish can be marinated for up to 8 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate it until you’re ready to cook.
Dipping Sauce Suggestions
- Tartar Sauce. Store-bought tartar sauce is a quick, easy option and Ben’s favorite.
- Malt Vinegar. Another classic you’ll find in British and Irish pubs is malt vinegar. I adore it!
- Dijon Yogurt Sauce. For something different and healthy, try Greek yogurt stirred together with a squirt of Dijon mustard. It’s delicious and not at all traditional, but then again, neither is this recipe! Dip as you please.
- Basil Yogurt Sauce. See this post Zucchini Fries for the recipe.
Fish and Chips
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup low-fat buttermilk*
- 5 teaspoons Old Bay divided
- 1 pound cod Pollock, halibut, or other firm, white fish fillets, cut into 4×2-inch pieces** (about 4 pieces total)
- 2 large russet potatoes about 1 ½ pounds, scrubbed and peeled
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic about 1 large clove
- ¼ cup white whole wheat flour
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 cup whole wheat Panko breadcrumbs
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Tartar sauce or malt vinegar for serving
Instructions
- Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and generously coat with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Add the buttermilk and 1 teaspoon of the OLD BAY to a large ziptop bag and mix to combine. Add the fish and tightly seal. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Then, cut each half into thirds, also lengthwise, so that you have 6 wedges total per potato. Place the potato wedges in a large bowl. Top with olive oil, garlic, and 2 teaspoons OLD BAY. Toss to coat, then spread in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet, discarding any liquid that collects at the bottom of the bowl.
- Bake for 25 minutes, turning once halfway through. Remove from the oven and push the potatoes to the outside edges of the baking sheet.
- Place the flour in a large, shallow dish (a pie dish works well). In a second dish, briskly whisk the egg whites and 1 teaspoon of OLD BAY until foamy. In a third dish, stir together the Panko and the last teaspoon of OLD BAY. Remove the fish from the buttermilk marinade, shaking off any excess, then dip in the flour, coating all sides. Shake off the excess flour, then dip in the egg whites to moisten, and finally dip in the Panko. Press the Panko onto the fish’s surface so that it sticks to all sides, then arrange the fish in the empty space on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining fillets.
- Bake the potatoes and fish together for another 15 minutes, until the fish is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork. Serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
Video
Notes
- *No buttermilk? Mix 1/4 cup regular milk with 2 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar. Let sit 5 minutes (the milk will curdle) then use as directed.
- **Do not use a flaky white fish, such as tilapia or snapper, as they will not hold together.
- TO MAKE AHEAD: The fish can be marinated for up to 8 hours in the refrigerator prior to preparing.
- TO STORE: This recipe is best enjoyed the day it is made. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 day.
- TO REHEAT: Let the fish come to room temperature, then place it uncovered on a baking sheet in a 350 degree F oven for a few minutes, just until warmed through.
Nutrition
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i love sneaking bites of my husband’s fish & chips when we go out to eat! it makes me feel sick to eat too much of it… but i could get into this baked version! it looks great!
Thanks so much, Sarah!
I’m a total Fish Fry fanatic, too. During Lent we get the really good stuff around here. I’m going to make this on a Friday for my guys. I think it would have the added advantage of not smelling up the house quite as badly as frying a whole bunch of fish!
I hope you all enjoy it, Rebecca!
Love fish and chips!!! Love that you made it healthy too!
Thanks so much, Liz!
Hey there! Tonight is my hubby’s birthday and he requested THIS SPECIFIC RECIPE! I’ve made it before and he loved it! Gotta go amd dredge! Keep blogging.?
What perfect timing, Saralee! I hope you both enjoy the recipe. Happy birthday to your husband!
And I forgot to thank you for using good old Baltimore Old Bay! That’s where we live! How did YOU find out about it?
hey girl- this is making my mouth water! Yummy!
Thanks, Shawnna! It makes me hungry too!
What is OLD BAY? I live in Canada and I have never heard of it. Is it a blend of spices?
Hi Betty, yes, Old Bay is a seasoning blend. It usually comes in a yellow tin with a red lid!
Do you think this recipe would work with Walleye?
I think it would, Marie!
Erin, this baked fish really looks insanely good! My husband loves fish and chips so this is the perfect healthy version to make for him. Thanks a lot for sharing ;-)
I made this last night with the cod my husband happened to bring home – easy, healthy and really tasty. (Not having any Old Bay on hand, I made a substitute blend with a recipe I found online.) It was a hit with the whole family. We’ve enjoyed several of your recipes, and I always look forward to your next post. From a fellow Milwaukee dweller – Thanks!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Krista! I’m so happy to hear that your family enjoyed the recipe. What perfect timing for your husband to bring home the cod!
Giiiiiiiirllll! These photos are **amazing** And I am in love with this recipe! I can’t wait to try it, as I too leave a Wisconsin fish fry with the same ick, lol!
This looks incredibly delicious! WOW! I’ll definitely have to try it!
Erin, made this and the fish was truly a delight, thank you!
Lisa, I’m so glad you enjoyed the fish! Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and leave this lovely review. :)
So much fun! I need to check this out :)
Just moved to WI this April. I need to quit looking at your recipes! I am starving. So many great recipes just when I NEED to change my diet. There are so many wonderful choices! I was afraid for a while that I would be living on chicken breasts and lettuce. Your recipes give me new hope for great meals. Thanks for sharing. Barb Karr
Thank you so much, Barb! I’m so glad to hear that you’re finding good recipe ideas on my site, and I hope you find some new favorites!
I made this for a Lenten meal. It was PHENOMENAL! I am very intimidated by cooking seafood. This couldn’t have been easier or more delicious. My husband proclaimed “You could make this when it’s NOT lent!” The fries were the icing on the cake. I will definitely be making these instead of buying frozen fries from now on.
YAY JASMINE!! Thank you so much for trying the recipe and for taking time to come back and leave this lovely review. It really means a lot!
Looks great! Would Tilapia work?
Hi Anita! I haven’t tried that myself, but you could definitely experiment with another fish!
OK, this recipe becomes a favorite and gets shared among the family. Roasted fish and chips this good? Awesome. I couldn’t find Old Bay, so picked up another seafood seasoning. Really delicious.
WHOO HOO LARRY! So happy to hear it, thank you!
Why do you need to scrub the potatoes if you’re going to peel them anyway?
I like getting any extra dirt off, but you certainly don’t have to if you prefer.
I made this tonight and my husband said, “oh wow! This is delicious!” This is a comment usually reserved for some form of fried meat covered in gravy I agree, it was delicious and I will make it again! I love your recipes! Thank you!
I’m so glad it was a success, Meagan! Thanks so much for reporting back.
Fish and chips is a guilty pleasure of mine and I am also married to an English man with a taste for true, greasy, deep fried fish and chips. That being said, this recipe is a welcome addition to our new healthier eating habits. We both really enjoyed it! (I also really appreciate recipes that don’t make the kitchen reak of deep frying!) This will become a regular in my repertoire :) I was skeptical (based on other baked recipes) that the breading would get crispy, but this is the best breading I’ve ever pulled off. Thanks so much for all your dinner inspiration and this lovely website. I’m a real fan ?
Jenn, I am so so soooo happy to hear this. Thank you for sharing your feedback and taking time to leave this wonderful review!
This recipe is perfection! We were so amazed and pleased with how crunchy the fish turned out. I can’t eat dairy so we used almond milk and vinegar in place of the buttermilk, and made everything else accordingly. We will be using this recipe from now on! Thank you for such a great recipe that is so much healthier than the traditional fried fish.
YAY! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review, Marisa! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
I have been all over the net to find your recipe after losing my bookmarks because this is a family favourite. You’re right: the extra work of dredging it in steps is totally worth it. Thank you for sharing, we love this meal!
Allie, I am so happy to hear how much you all enjoy this recipe, thank you!! And anytime you need a recipe, you can always search for it either in my search bar here on my site or even with a Google search—just type “well plated” and the recipe you are looking for. Thanks again for sharing your review!
Enjoied the detailed recipe
Hope to try it soon !
I hope you love the recipe, Asha!
The potato wedges really stuck to the pan. More olive oil?
Hi Maggie! I’m sorry you had trouble with the potatoes sticking. I’d recommend trying additional nonstick cooking spray next time. I hope this helps!
Panko didn’t brown; fries were soft inside, but also not crisp–and it all needed more seasoning. Disappointed, because I hoped I’d found the right recipe. I followed the recipe exactly, except that I cut it in half and had no white whole wheat flour.
Hi Jane, I’m so sorry to hear that this recipe fell short of your expectations. I (and other readers) truly enjoyed this dish, so I really wish you would’ve too!
I am concerned that the 15 minutes of baking is not sufficient for cooking the cod, is this correct?
Hi Harley! Yes, 15 minutes is correct and has worked well for me and other readers. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Just delicious and so easy for Friday fish and chips without the greasy mess. Only change I made was to put peeled cut up potatoes in cold water soak for an hour or so. It pulls out some of the starch and helps them to crisp up on the outside but stay fluffy on inside. Just be sure to drain and dry well before proceeding with the recipe. Potatoes can soak anywhere from 20 minutes to 6 hours. Used to live in Wisconsin and have retained our Friday fish habit. Thanks for a great recipe!
Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review, LuAnn! I’m so happy to hear that the recipe was a hit!
This Recipe Is AWESOME!!!
Thank You for Sharing!!!
I’m making this tonight with COD!!!
Thank you for taking the time to share this kind comment, Sandra! I hope you love it!
I followed this recipe exactly. No substitutions.It turned out reasonably good. The fish was flaky and tender but nowhere “ fish and chips” style or flavor. In fact very mild flavor. The potatoes on the other hand were just right. .
Thank you for taking the time to try this recipe and sharing your results, DeAndrea! I’m happy you enjoyed the potatoes!
I found it to be too much Old Bay. Would cut it back on both the fish as well as the fries. The breading did keep the fish moist.
Hi Margot! I’m sorry to hear that this wasn’t quite to your tastes. You can certainly reduce the amount of seasoning next time. I’m happy to hear that your fish stayed moist though!
I found this recipe to be just O.K. I had never cooked anything before that used Old Bay as the prominent flavour. I discovered that I don’t much care for it. The mediocre crunch was disappointing as well. All in all, it tasted just like what it was…. the healthy version of fish and chips.
Hi Angie, I’m sorry to hear that this recipe fell short of your expectations. I (and other readers) truly enjoyed this dish, so I really wish you would’ve too!
This is my go to fish recipe now. My husband always gives raves reviews on this fish. We live in Wisconsin and almost always have cod on Fridays!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Rose! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This looks great, looking forward to trying. Is there a substitute for the buttermilk that you might suggest?
Hi Toniann, you could try making your own buttermilk substitute by mixing 1/4 cup regular milk with 2 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit 5 minutes (the milk will curdle), then use as directed. I hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it!
I would probably spritz the fish with olive oil the next time, still stuck to the oiled pan. Fries turned out perfect , I did let them soak in hot water for 5 min. I wanted to try this recipe first before I try it on my parents, they both love fried fish & this healthier way that can be used for more than just fish !!! Thanks Erin
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Denise! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I made it without old bay, just added my own seasonings and did sweet potato fries with it, omg so good
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Dwight! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
The “chips” turned out really nice – crispy on the outside & soft on the inside. Add a bit of that tasty Australian “ketchup for grownups” & they were even better.
I won’t be using Old Bay seasoning again. The only thing I could taste was salt. Even my husband, who uses more salt than I do, agreed that the fish was over salted. Since I only used the Old Bay & added no other seasoning or salt, I guess I just plain don’t like it. The fish was tender & the panko fairly crisp, but it was barely edible because of the salt. Not a reflection of your recipe, & it seems no one else has problems with Old Bay, but, for those who are salt sensitive, beware. I’ll likely try it again with other spices. Thanks for sharing the recipe! It’s nice to have a baked option for fish ‘n’ chips.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe otherwise, Nancie! Thank you for trying the recipe, and I hope it goes even better next time!
Made this fish and chips recipe last night friday. It was great!! Also I think those potatoes can be made like that for any meal. Loved it!!!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Nonna! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I made this yesterday for our Friday Fish night and it was fantastic! The cod was great, and the potatoes were so good I know I’ll make them for many other dinner menus as well!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Netti! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This was very good! I only did the fish. I used whole egg (fresh from our chickens) einkorn flour & Panko. I didn’t use as much Old Bay per review, but it needed more (I will use recipe amount next time). I will definitely make again! Thank you!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Barb! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This is really excellent. My suggestion for keeping the fish crispy on both sides: first coat the fish per the recipe. Place it on a rack (like a cookie cooling rack) over the sheet pan. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes or so. The coating will bind with the fish and stay crispier. Before baking a sprayed lightly with olive oil for give the coating the crunch. Bake it on the rack over the sheet pan and the fish stays crispy on both sides. I made oven fried zucchini instead of potatoes. I also turned this into fish sandwiches with lettuce, tomato and a dill garlic aioli. Worked really well as a sandwich.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Karen! Thank you for sharing this kind review and your tips!
Best potato wedges I have ever done and I only used 1/2 teaspoon of oil on one pound of potatoes. The fish stayed moist even though I over cooked it, that buttermilk soak really helps . The flavor is great-with simple seasoning–I used Penzey Chesapeake which is similar to Old Bay. I always have trouble with breading something and never seem to achieve a crispy outside–but we didn’t add oil spray to it–maybe it was a bit crowded on my pan. I will take any suggestions. But we still liked it very much. Since I only had 12 ounces of fish I cut back to a couple tabs flour and 1/2 cup panko–I used maybe a total of 2.5 to 3 teaspoons of Chesapeake seasoning.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Frances! Thank you for sharing this kind review! Did you bake the fish uncovered? You also want to ensure that the pan isn’t too crowded.
I do not have access to old bay seasoning, how do I make my own? What must I combine? Thanks
Hi Sheli! I’d recommend doing an online search for a homemade Old Bay seasoning recipe. I hope this helps!
This recipe is awesome…. if you love fish & chips, old bay, and/or delicious potato wedges, this is the recipe for you! I really enjoy fish & chips but it feels like such an indulgence I rarely order it out, and I don’t know that I would have thought to try making this myself.
I followed the recipe exactly and they came out SO tasty! I used cod and made a half recipe and the leftovers were delicious as well! I only had whole buttermilk instead of low-fat and regular panko instead of whole wheat, and it came out delicious! I like my fish a little under-done and I had cut my potatoes and fish a little smaller due to a miscalculation, so I took it out around 12 mins and was cooked perfectly and crunchy!
I also used a little less oil (only a tsp for a 1/2 recipe) and it was still perfectly moist and crunchy!! I’m inspired by the use of egg whites in my cooking/baking…. such a brilliant idea I’d never tried before and I love it whenever I see it in Erin’s recipes! I served with tartar sauce and found myself devouring these with a fork…. truly British style!!
I’m also keeping track of macros right now and I love delicious recipes that I am crazy excited to enjoy and want to eat right out of the pan, but that are so healthy & protein-packed they leave me full & satisfied with just one serving. This is the perfect comfort food for people watching their waist lines!
I am so so pleased to hear it Jean, thank you!
Such a delicious easy to make recipe! Really enjoyed it, and reminded my boyfriend of his summers spent in the Maritimes. We will be making this again, thank you for the recipe Erin!!!!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Allie! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Delicious, easy, and pretty much foolproof! Hands down one of the best fish recipes I’ve tried. And the fries are great too!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Natalie! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This was delicious and amazingly low in calories! Two questions, though: how can I get the crumbs to brown better? I had my oven at the proper temperature (I check it with an oven thermometer) but it barely browned at all. Would spraying with PAM help? Also, after the first 2 fillets it got pretty gloppy/messy when I did my dipping. Is there a better way?
Thanks!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Theresa! Did you make sure to shake off the excess after dipping the fish in each coating? I’ve only tested the recipe as written, so you’d be experimenting if you decide to try another method of dipping the fish. If you want to play around with spraying it before baking, I’d suggest keeping a close eye on it to make sure the panko doesn’t burn. I hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it again!
Another winner of a recipe! This is a go to several times a month. Gets us to eat more fish.
Thanks Erin!
I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed the recipe, Linda! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I will be making this tonight, except I will follow your baked french fry recipe. I actually dont think my life will be the same after the fries. Soak in HOT water….never would’ve known!!
Thank you.
Oh…I love the photo of you and your dog!
Hi Cate! Hope you enjoy it!
Delicious! I didnt have Old Bay seasoning so improvised. The fish is crispy on the outside & succulent inside. Potato wedges are perfect!
Hi Linda! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Panko didn’t brown; fries were soft inside, but just so so. Disappointed, because I hoped I’d found the right recipe. I followed the recipe to a “T” and it tasted like cod between two pieces of white bread. Threw everything out.
I’m sorry to hear you had problems with the recipe, Robin. It has worked well for myself (and others) and I wished it would of been a hit for you too.
Hi Erin! My wife is from Alaska and I’m from Boston but we live smack dab in the middle of the Midwest. We both love whitefish but rarely see any worth buying at the market. Well I did this week at an excellent price point as well) but, against my wife’s wishes, I decided to bake instead of fry. (She’s laid up with a broken leg so I’m the cook and I’m attempting to feed us healthy.) Last night I did your recipe to the tee except with pierogies. I thought it came out great especially since it was crunchy but she would only eat a piece. So this afternoon I heated up the veg oil and fried the leftovers. They were absolutely delicious and, yes, the Mrs approved. So thank you. I need all the help I can get!
Hi Scott! I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you!
Looking forward to making this tonight but bake in the air fryer.
Hoping you enjoyed it Michele!
Can these be made and freeze?
I have a FoodSaver that I can take the air out and freeze.
Would that work?
Hi Sheri! I’ve only tested the recipe as written and haven’t attempted to freeze them before. If you decide to experiment with it, let me know how it goes! Hope you enjoy it!
absolutely delicious! i air fried ours…my brain was confused, came out so crispy, as though it was fried. my husband loved it! i lightly sprayed the fish before air frying it! PERFECT! thank you;)
Hi Sonny! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Just finished eating this meal and my husband said no fewer than five times just how much he loved this meal! I cook from scratch all the time and he is incredibly picky. I made this as written, which I never do. I always tweak recipes. There were zero leftovers and just two of us to eat it. Thank you for a recipe I will be making again and again!
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, Jodi! Thank you!
We love this recipe and make it often. I usually pair it with homemade coleslaw. One caveat: I have had success making this with tilapia IF I use tilapia loins I get at Costco. This thicker cut doesn’t fall apart like a fillet would. Just fyi.
Thanks for the feedback, LuAnn! So glad you enjoyed it!
This was my first time making fish and chips from scratch, and I was amazed at how easy and delicious it was. The fish had the perfect balance of crispy coating and juicy inside, and the fact that everything was baked made me feel so much better about indulging. I served mine with spicy sriracha mayo. Definitely a keeper. Thank you so much!
So glad to hear, Rebecca! Thank you!
I was looking for a healthier way to enjoy fish and chips, and this recipe nailed it! The oven-baked method kept everything crisp without all the extra oil, and the seasoning was amazing. My whole family loved it, and I’ll definitely be making this again soon!
I have to admit, this was better than I expected for a baked batch of fish and chips. The fish was surprisingly tender and flavorful, and the Old Bay seasoning really came through nicely without being overpowering.