dinner recipes

How to Make Fish Cakes

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Learn how make fish cakes! This tilapia fish cakes recipe is a great way to enjoy white fish in an easy and delicious way. The fish cakes are simple: bake the fish, mix up the ingredients, and pan fry. Serve with the caper dill sauce and a side like haricot verts and dinner is done!

Be sure to tag me when you make this fish cakes recipe, I love to see your creations! And if you’ve made it, will you please leave it a ⭐️ rating below? It helps me out a ton!❤️

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Tilapia fish cake on a white plate with green beans

What are Fish Cakes?

Fish cakes are like a crab cake, but made with white fish instead of crab. Fish is combined with a binder and some flavor and then pan-fried for a crispy, delicious meal.

Fish Cakes Ingredients

These fish cakes are made with just 9 ingredients, fish cakes sauce included. You’ll need:

  • White fish like tilapia or cod
  • Eggs
  • Panko bread crumbs
  • Green onions
  • Dried dill
  • Vegetable oil
  • Mayonnaise
  • Lemon juice
  • Capers
Ingredients to make fish cakes recipe in bowls

How to Make Fish Cakes with Bread Crumbs

These easy fish cakes take just 15 minutes to prep:

  • Bake fish. The fish will need to be baked ahead, it’s an easy way to prep dinner for the week.
  • Mix ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine tilapia, eggs, breadcrumbs, green onions, 1/2 teaspoon of dried dill, and sea salt. Gently mix, flaking fish as you stir.
Tilapia fish cakes ingredients mixed together in a bowl
  • Make sauce. In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice, and capers.
  • Fry fish cakes. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet. Form a fish patty with hands and fry 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.

Tilapia Fish Cakes FAQs

What are fish cakes made of?

These fish cakes are made with tilapia, as it’s a very accessible fish, but really any flaky white fish (cod, pollock, grouper, etc.).

If you prefer salmon, try my salmon cakes.

What’s a good sauce for fish cakes?

Tartar-inspired sauces are perfect for fish cakes! This easy version has a nice upgrade with capers instead of the traditional pickle relish.

Are fish cakes gluten free?

It depends what type of binder, or bread crumbs are used. This tilapia fish cakes recipe is made with panko, and is not gluten-free.

You can use your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.

How many calories in fish cakes?

The calories in fish cakes will vary based on the ingredients and recipe.

Each serving of these fish cakes (3 cakes per serving) has approximately 366 calories. Full nutrition stats can be found below the recipe card.

Plate with tilapia fish cakes and green beans

How to Store Leftover Tilapia Fish Cakes

Store any leftover tilapia fish cakes in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Reheat in a hot skillet for best results, microwave is not recommended!

How to Serve Easy Fish Cakes to the Whole Family

If your little eaters are unsure about fish, cut one fish cake into four pieces and serve them one piece, along with the sides.

Click here for more on one family meal.

Fish cakes and sauce on a plate

More Easy Seafood Recipes

If you like fish cakes recipes like this one, you might also like some of these other easy seafood recipes:

What to Serve with Fish Cakes

These fish cakes need a veggie side and a carb if you like. Here are a few ideas:

Helpful Tools to Make Fish Cakes Recipe

  • Microplane Zester – Use this for citrus zest, garlic, chocolate, and more. You’ll use it all the time.
  • Citrus Juicer – I used to try and squeeze the juice out…but a lot goes wasted. Get a high quality juicer so it doesn’t break. (Also know this from experience!)
  • Glass Bowls – This set of nesting bowls is perfect for mixing, storing, and serving. And you’ll have every size you need.

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Tilapia fish cakes

How to Make Fish Cakes

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  • Author: Emily Dingmann of myeverydaytable.com
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings (3 fish cakes) 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Skillet
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Learn how make fish cakes! This tilapia fish cakes recipe takes just 15 minutes to prep and is a great way to switch up your seafood dinner.


Ingredients

Scale

For Fish Cakes: 

  • 1 pound tilapia fillets, cooked
  • 2 eggs, whisked
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 green onions sliced, about 1/3 cup
  • 1 1/2 tsp. dried dill, divided
  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt
  • vegetable oil for frying

For Sauce: 

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp. capers

Instructions

  1. Combine tilapia, eggs, breadcrumbs, green onions, 1/2 teaspoon of dried dill, and sea salt in a medium bowl. Gently mix, flaking fish as you stir until combined. 
  2. In a small bowl, mix together remaining 1 teaspoon dill, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and capers. Set aside for serving. 
  3. Fry fish cakes. Heat a thin layer of oil in a large nonstick skillet.
  4. Scoop 1/4 cup of fish mixture and gently pat into a disc shape. Fry for about 2-3 minutes, until golden brown, flip over, lightly flatten fish cake with back of spatula, and cook another 2-3 minutes on the other side . Set aside and repeat until mixture is gone.


Notes

  • Prep Tip: Bake the tilapia ahead of time. Bake it for 400°F for about 15-20 minutes (will depend on filet size), or until it flakes easily. 
  • Variation Tip: Any white, flaky fish (cod, trout, bass, snapper, etc.) will all work in this recipe.
  • Makes about 12 fish cakes.
  • Nutrition facts are calculated with 2 tablespoons oil, but the amount you use may vary. 

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How to make fish cakes

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