If you grew up loving that golden, crispy Filet-O-Fish sandwich from McDonald’s, you are not alone.
There’s something about the combo of crispy fish, melty cheese, and tangy tartar sauce that just works — and now, you can make it at home with clean, real ingredients in under 30 minutes.

This Homemade Filet-O-Fish Sandwich gives you all the nostalgic flavor, but with a flaky white fish fillet (not mystery meat), a light crispy coating, and a homemade tartar-style sauce that’s tangy and bright. It’s fun, satisfying, and totally doable on a weeknight.

Ingredients:

For the fish:

• 1 lb white fish fillets (cod, haddock, or pollock)

• ½ cup almond flour or whole wheat breadcrumbs

• 1 tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp sea salt

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil (for pan-frying)

For the tartar-style sauce:

• ¼ cup avocado oil mayo or Greek yogurt

• 1 tbsp finely chopped pickles or relish

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• ½ tsp Dijon mustard

• Pinch of garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the sandwich:

• 4 whole wheat or gluten-free buns

• 4 slices cheddar or dairy-free cheese

• Optional: shredded lettuce, tomato slices, extra pickles

Instructions:

1. Prep the fish
   Pat fillets dry and cut into sandwich-size portions. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

2. Bread the fillets
   In one bowl, beat the egg. In another, mix almond flour, arrowroot, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Dip fish in egg, then dredge in the flour mixture until fully coated.

3. Cook the fish
   Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook fillets 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. (Alternatively, air fry at 390°F for 10–12 minutes.)

4. Make the tartar sauce
   In a small bowl, mix mayo, pickles, lemon juice, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.

5. Assemble the sandwiches
   Toast the buns if desired. Place a slice of cheese on the bottom bun, add crispy fish, a generous spoon of tartar sauce, and any extras like lettuce or tomato.

6. Serve warm
   Serve with sweet potato fries, baked chips, or a simple slaw for the full experience.

Sarah’s Tips:

• Make it dairy-free: Use vegan cheese and coconut yogurt in the sauce.

• Want it spicy? Add hot sauce to the tartar or sprinkle cayenne in the breading.

• Freezer-friendly: Bread the fillets and freeze uncooked. Cook straight from frozen, just add a few minutes to the time.

• More crunch? Add shredded lettuce or red cabbage slaw on top.

Flavorful Conclusion:

This Homemade Filet-O-Fish Sandwich brings back that classic comfort — crispy, creamy, and loaded with flavor — but without the greasy wrapper or mystery ingredients. It’s fast, fresh, and perfect for fish Fridays, family dinner, or just when that nostalgic craving hits.

Nutrition (per sandwich, serves 4):

• Calories: 420

• Protein: 30g

• Carbs: 26g

• Fat: 22g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 2g