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
Table of Contents
- What are Fish Cakes?
- Fish Cakes Ingredients
- How to Make Fish Cakes with Bread Crumbs
- Tilapia Fish Cakes FAQs
- How to Store Leftover Tilapia Fish Cakes
- How to Serve Easy Fish Cakes to the Whole Family
- More Easy Seafood Recipes
- What to Serve with Fish Cakes
- Helpful Tools to Make Fish Cakes Recipe
- Pin how to make fish cakes for later!
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
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.
- 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.
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.
More Easy Seafood Recipes
If you like fish cakes recipes like this one, you might also like some of these other easy seafood recipes:
- Easy Fish Tacos – Southern California fried fish tacos, without the deep fried mess.
- Panko Salmon – A family favorite that’s ready in 30 minutes.
- Old Bay Shrimp Boil – It’s a classic with a few short cuts. 😉
- Grilled Tilapia in Foil – Top fish with seasonings and veggies, wrap up in foil, and grill! It’s that easy.
What to Serve with Fish Cakes
These fish cakes need a veggie side and a carb if you like. Here are a few ideas:
- Chickpea Salad with Feta – Made with just 5 ingredients and ready in less than 10 minutes.
- Everyday Side Salad – All the flavors and textures that make a blah salad into a WOW salad.
- Recipe for Haricot Verts – A simple and standard side for any meal. Ready in 10 minutes.
- Simple Lemon Kale Salad – Garlic-y, lemon-y, and downright addicting! (Yes, I’m serious!)
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.
How to Make Fish Cakes
- 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
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
- 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.
- In a small bowl, mix together remaining 1 teaspoon dill, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and capers. Set aside for serving.
- Fry fish cakes. Heat a thin layer of oil in a large nonstick skillet.
- 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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