There is something so comforting and delicious about fish and chips. Traditionally a big take-away (take out/ to go) meal, cod, halibut, tilapia or another firm whitefish is typically battered, fried, and served with chips, or to us Americans, fries. I absolutely love fish and chips, but I don’t exactly love the whole frying component (I mean, I do. It’s delicious. But it kind of negates the point of eating fish). I wanted to try to make a baked version that would hopefully keep its crunch. I decided to give it some slight American flair and added Old Bay seasoning to the batter and on the fries.
Ingredients:
- 4 tilapia fillets
- 1 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups panko
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- tarter sauce
- Malt vinegar
- Lemon wedges, optional
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. To make the fries, cut the potatoes into 1 inch thick pieces. I didn’t peel mine, but you can peel the potatoes beforehand if you choose.
Add to a bowl and fill the bowl with hot water. Allow the potatoes to sit in the water for 30 minutes.
Pour out the water and place the potatoes on a paper towel to dry.
Add back to the bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon Old Bay and season with salt and pepper.
Spread on a cookie sheet covered in cooking spray.
Cook at 425 for 20 minutes. Flip the fries and cook for another 20 minutes.
To make the fish, cut the fish in half lengthwise. Prepare three bowls. Add the flour, salt and Old Bay to the first bowl. Mix to combine. Add the eggs to the second bowl, use a fork to beat. Add the panko to the third bowl.
 |
| Left to Right: Panko, Eggs, Flour Mixture |
Going down the line, dip the tilapia one piece at a time in the flour, then the egg, then the panko. (So I realized after taking the photo above that they are technically backwards. I’m left handed, which I think makes me do things right to left versus left to right. Sorry!)
Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and sprayed with cooking spray. Lightly spray the fish with another layer of cooking spray.
Bake at 425 for 10 minutes. Turn the fish over, turn off the oven and bake for other 10 minutes.
I suggest putting the fries in first. When you go to flip the fries, add the tilapia. Remove the tilapia after 10 minutes and keep the fries in the oven for another 10 minutes.
Serve with tarter sauce or lemon wedges (for the fish) and malt vinegar (for the fries).
So I was pretty worried about the fries when they were cooking. They didn’t seem to crisp up despite turning a nice golden brown. My aim was a crispy fry. Instead, I got a slightly crunchy outside and a softer inside. But, they were really good. I didn’t miss the flavor that usually comes from frying. However, the Old Bay flavor wasn’t nearly as prominent as I was hoping so if you are a fan, add a bit more than my recipe calls for.
The panko did exactly what I was hoping it would. The fish was happily crispy. I could actually taste the Old Bay throughout the tilapia which was my goal.
I can’t pretend that the baked version mimics the taste derived from frying. But baking produces its own flavor which was really tasty. It is definitely a yummy alternative to frying!
Oh MAN, it’s been way too long since I’ve had fish and chips. Must. Change. Immediately!
I LOVE fish and chips! Haven’t been served a good one in a while which is why I always make my own, glad to have another recipe to try out now. Thanks for sharing, have a good one! =]
I love a good fish and chips. Tilapia is a great choice for it.
I need to try these for my guys! My husband and son LOVE fish and chips! Baking healthy ones at home are so much better than going out, can’t wait to try them!
I love fish and chips.
Really nicely done! I love that fish & chips are wrapped in newspaper…it’s the coolest way to serve them! While I’m allergic to fish, I bet I could make chicken and chips!
Fabulous! There is nothing me and my family like more than fish n chips. I love the newspaper. My mom used to put the fries in a brown lunch bag and we’d sit on the front porch eating like little piggies. Lol!
Great looking Fish and Chips! The newspaper is just an added bonus! It’s sort of like how Chinese food tastes better when served in a box! Nicely done!
I would never think about making fish and chips from scratch! This is a great idea!
I really like your blog and your recipes! I am a new follower! I would love it if you stopped by my cooking blog some time!
I hope that you have a great Thanksgiving!
Chips are my all time favorite…Its looks so yummy just want to grab them and eat them
wow..sounds scrumptiously tasty..
new to your space…amazing space you have with lovely posts..
love your presentation..
Am your happy follower now..;)
do stop by mine sometime..
Tasty Appetite
Mmm this is one of the BEST meals going! Fish and chips are such a classic and I always eat it waaaaay too much when I am in Ireland and England lol. I love the way yours came out – those chips esp look so delicious!
I am sure you must be going to like this read