6 Ingredient Fish Cakes Recipe (2024)

This recipe is: dairy freenut free

These quick and easy fish cakes are fun appetizer or main course made with cod, or you favorite white fish. Pair them with homemade tartar sauce to really take this recipe to a new level.Makes 16 fish cakes.

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6 Ingredient Fish Cakes Recipe (1)

Why I love this easy fish cake recipe

I’m a huge fan of all things seafood, and these fish cakes are no exception. I first made them two years ago for New Year’s Eve, and they were a hit, and this year I plan to make them for Christmas (along with my Canadian meat pie) I’ve tweaked the recipe a little since, though.

I’ve simplified it, and limited the ingredients to make these cod cakes a more realistic option for weeknight dinners and last minute get-togethers. Fish cakes a great alternative to crab cakes – especially if you’re on a budget.

They’d also be a great way to use up leftover fish, if you have it. I’ve laced them with my favorite seafood seasoning, and I paired them with my favorite homemade tartar sauce. You could also serve your fish cakes with your favorite remoulade (think like a crab cake here!) or co*cktail sauce for something a little lighter.

6 Ingredient Fish Cakes Recipe (2)

Here’s what you’ll need to make these cod fish cakes

Ingredients
  • Baked cod (or other flaky white fish, such as pollack or haddock)
  • Panko breadcrumbs (make sure you check the ingredients for dairy free)
  • Green onions
  • Eggs
  • Lemon juice
  • Old Bay (or your favorite seafood seasoning)
Equipment
6 Ingredient Fish Cakes Recipe (6)

How to prepare your cod

Start by cooking your cod. You can prepare it anyway you want, as long as it’s cooked through. If you have enough leftovers from another meal, that’s even better.

I usually chose to bake mine because I think it’s the easiest option. To bake your cod, put it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Season it liberally with salt & pepper, and bake for 20 – 25 minutes at 350˚F.

6 Ingredient Fish Cakes Recipe (7)

How to make 6 ingredient fish cakes

Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir together with a fork, flaking the fish as you go. The texture may seem a bit dry, but I promise they won’t be once they’re cooked. When the ingredients are evenly mixed, it’s time to portion them out.

You can make your cakes any size you want, but I prefer mine a bit smaller. I used a two tablespoon scoop to measure them evenly, and then pressed them flat into the shape I wanted. The larger your cakes are, the longer they will take to cook.

More 5 ingredient mains: slow cooker beef tacos /walnut crusted salmon/ beer brined chicken drumsticks / baked stuffed pork chops

6 Ingredient Fish Cakes Recipe (8)

Fry your fish cakes

Once your cakes are all measured out, heat a large skillet to medium-high and add your cooking oil of choice.You can really use any type of oil here since your pan won’t be getting super hot. I’ve used both olive oil and canola oil. Just use whatever you have on hand.

Fry your fish cakes in two batches so you have enough room for flipping. I used my regular plastic spatula, but if you have a fish spatula, this would be a really great time to use it (the extra length helps you be maneuver a little better).

Let your fish cakes fry on the first side for about 3 minutes before flipping them. They should release on their own without much effort.

If they seem stuck, don’t force it. Wait a little longer and they will release on their own.

This will help prevent your fish cakes from breaking and ensure you get that nice golden-brown color. If you’re worried about them getting cold, keep your first batch warm in the warm oven while you fry the next batch.

6 Ingredient Fish Cakes Recipe (9)

This fish cakes recipe would pair really well with:

  • Broccoli salad (perfect for summer)
  • Kale and brussel sprouts salad (great for the colder months)
  • Caesar co*cktail
  • Brandy old fashioned
  • Blue moon ice cream

More great appetizer recipes:

  • Shrimp toast
  • BBQ pulled pork nachos
  • Thai tuna cakes
  • Spicy chicken sliders

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6 Ingredient Fish Cakes Recipe (10)

6 Ingredient Fish Cakes

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These quick and easy fish cakes are fun appetizer or main course made with cod, or you favorite white fish. Pair them with homemade tartar sauce to really take this recipe to a new level.Makes 16 fish cakes.

  • Author: Melissa Belanger
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 16 fishcakes 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pound cooked cod
  • 3/4 cup panko
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 tablespoon Old Bay
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Cooking oil

Instructions

  1. Place ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir the ingredients together with a fork, breaking apart the fish, until evenly combined.
  2. Portion mixture into patties (about 2 tablespoons each).
  3. Coat the bottom of a large skillet with cooking oil and heat to medium-high. Fry fish cakes in batches until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 cakes
  • Calories: 108
  • Sugar: 0.7 g
  • Sodium: 392.1 mg
  • Fat: 3.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.3 g
  • Fiber: 0.4 g
  • Protein: 12.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 72.6 mg

Published: July 26, 2018. Updated: September 26, 2023.

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I will never recommend a product I don’t use or trust.

6 Ingredient Fish Cakes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the components of fish cake? ›

A fishcake (sometimes written as fish cake) is a culinary dish consisting of filleted fish or other seafood minced or ground, mixed with a starchy ingredient, and fried until golden. Asian-style fishcakes usually contain fish with salt, water, starch, and egg. They can include a combination of fish paste and surimi.

How are fish cakes made? ›

directions
  1. Peel and cut up potatoes.
  2. Place in pot with fillets and cover with cold water.
  3. Boil until the potatoes are"fork done".
  4. Drain off the water.
  5. Mash the potatoes and fish together.
  6. Mix chopped onion, eggs, and 1 tablespoon water.
  7. Add this to the fish and potatoes and mix well.

Why do my fish cakes fall apart? ›

Your recipe is out of balance. Too much sugar, fat or liquid or not enough flour. Or you could be opening your oven before the cake is set and the cake is falling at that point. Why does fish fall apart when frying?

Why are my fish cakes rubbery? ›

Most version include egg which is used as a binder. In this recipe, you have that option but personally I prefer the texture without the egg. Adding egg gives the Thai fish cakes a rubbery texture which some people like.

What are the 6 main components in cakes? ›

These basic ingredients for baking a cake are; flour, eggs, fat (usually butter), sugar, salt, a form of liquid (usually milk), and leavening agents (such as baking soda).

What is the best binder for fish cakes? ›

Eggs and cracker crumbs will help bind everything together below a drift of spice. Make sure to leave some time to chill the resulting patties in the refrigerator – the cold will help them set up so they don't fall apart in the sauté pan.

How do you keep homemade fish cakes from falling apart? ›

How do you keep fish cakes from falling apart?
  1. Use forks to flake your leftover fish into small pieces (smaller flakes hold together better when forming the cakes).
  2. Have a clean plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper ready before you form your fish cakes.
Oct 29, 2022

How do you get fish cakes to stick together? ›

The proteins in the egg will help bind together your fish cake mix as it cooks. Think of it as your glue: Without it, your fish cakes are going to fall apart. At minimum, you'll want to use one egg for every pound or so of fish so that you have enough “glue.” More is fine, though.

What is the pink stuff in fish cakes? ›

Narutomaki is made from surimi (white fish paste) that's been molded into a log and steamed. The pink spiral comes from dying half of the surimi with red food coloring and then rolling it into a cylinder.

How do you know when fish cakes are done? ›

Drizzle a bit of oil. Place 3-4 fishcakes on the hot pan and cook on each side for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally. If they start browning too quickly, reduce heat and continue cooking. The fishcakes are done when both sides are golden and the fishcake itself feels firm and slightly dry.

How do you thicken fish cakes? ›

Put the remaining egg in a shallow bowl, and tip the flour and breadcrumbs on to separate saucers. Dip each fishcake in turn into the flour, the egg, and finally the breadcrumbs until thoroughly coated. Put into the fridge for at least half an hour to firm up.

What is the swirl in fish cake? ›

This processed roll is primarily made of frozen surimi (processed, pureed whitefish), while the pink swirl comes from food coloring. Invented in the 1800s and prepared by slicing and steaming, narutomaki has a history of gracing traditional noodle soups, such as ramen and soba.

Why does frozen fish taste rubbery? ›

When you overcook fish, it can become dry, tough, and lack flavor. Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery.

Why is frozen fish tough? ›

Animal Proteins. A well-known characteristic of frozen fish and mammals is a decrease in the water-binding capacity of muscle tissue, resulting in a loss of juice at thawing (drip). In addition, an increase in the firmness of the meat flesh is often observed.

Are fish cakes healthy for you? ›

Light on the stomach and easy to digest, Fish Cakes are also a healthy addition to your diet as they are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Here we share a Fish Cake recipe that is flavourful and easy to make. You can also make this recipe as a snack for a birthday party or a kitty party.

What are the components of fish? ›

The composition of fish is basically composed of water, lipid, and protein, which create the nutritional value, functional aspects, and sensory characteristics of the flesh. The fish also contains vitamins and minerals, playing an important role in post-mortem biochemical changes.

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