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.

Jump to Recipe

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)

31 dairy free dinner ideas

Start the new year off right! Sign up to get a full month of easy, dairy free dinner recipes you and your family will love.

6 Ingredient Fish Cakes Recipe (3)

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 (7)

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 (8)

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 (9)

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 (10)

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

Print

6 Ingredient Fish Cakes Recipe (11)

6 Ingredient Fish Cakes

★★★★★4.9 from 15 reviews
Print Recipe

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

Keywords: dairy free, seafood, fish, cod, easy, 5 ingredient, Fish cake, fish cakes, fish cakes recipe, fish cake recipe, fish cake recipes, fish patties, how to make fish cakes, cod cakes, cod fish cakes, fishcake recipe, fishcakes, recipe for fish cakes, fried fish cakes, easy fish cakes recipe

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

How is fish cake made? ›

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.

What to put with fish cakes? ›

I like to serve them with a simple green salad, a side of lemon wedges and some extra Tartare Sauce. If you made a batch of my sauce, you will have plenty left over to serve alongside the meal. These fish cakes also go well with vegetables like mushy peas or a side of roast potatoes.

What is in a Japanese fish cake? ›

What Is Kamaboko? Kamaboko is a type of Japanese fish cake made from pureed white fish, called surimi (ground meat). The fish cake includes binding agents, such as egg whites, and natural flavoring, like sake. Kamaboko is made by steaming, frying, poaching, or grilling the fish cake until it is firm.

What to do with leftover fish? ›

Pair flaked leftover fish with grains, such as quinoa, wheat berries, or even grain-sized pasta such as couscous or orzo for a base to a healthful, satisfying grain bowl. Add some greens and/or chopped vegetables and drizzle with your favorite dressing or simply a bit of vinegar and oil.

How do you get fish cakes to stick together? ›

Egg – Next, dip the fish cake into the beaten eggs and let the excess drip off. Panko breadcrumbs – And finally, place it in a bowl of panko breadcrumbs. Spoon some breadcrumbs over then use your hands to pat it on to adhere as best you can. Pick the fish cake up and let the excess breadcrumbs fall off.

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.

What is the best binder for fish cakes? ›

Panko breadcrumbs: This ingredient acts as a filler that absorbs the juices that release during the cooking process, trapping them inside and keeping the fish cakes from getting dry. Regular panko or whole wheat panko will work here.

How to make fish cake chewy? ›

In order for the fish patties to be evenly browned and chewy, the amount of oil added to fry must cover the surface of the fish. You should let the cooking oil boil until it is very hot before frying the fish cakes. When frying, pay attention to medium heat so that the fish cakes cook evenly from the inside out.

Are fish cakes healthy for you? ›

For those who love seafood, Fish Cakes are an ultimate late-evening snack. 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.

What is Chinese fish cake made of? ›

Every Chinese family has their own take on the versatile fish cake. You can make this with endless combinations of ingredients, such as tofu, ground pork, and more! For this recipe, my dad shows off his simple combination of fish, shrimp and dried scallops, seasoned to perfection with a luscious marinade.

What is the pink 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.

What are Korean fish cakes made of? ›

What is a Korean Fish Cake? A Korean Fish Cake is a combination of minced fish fillets mixed with vegetables and seasonings. It is a quick snack and also a side dish in authentic Korean cuisine.

Can you eat cold fish leftovers? ›

Hearty leftover fish like salmon and tuna often taste better cold. Many people enjoy putting large flakes of cold salmon in a salad or slicing it up over a bagel with cream cheese. You can cut up a cold tuna steak and mix it with mayonnaise, lemon juice and capers to make a delicious tuna salad sandwich.

Can you eat fish cakes cold the next day? ›

I'd compost it and let the jays and crows hash it out. I say this as someone who grew up with people eating out of pots of stew left on the stove at 3:00 a.m. and reheating it the next day for another meal. But chowders and fish cakes, no. Eat them right away or into the fridge!

How long is fish good leftover in the fridge? ›

Cooked fish and other seafood can be safely stored in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Refrigeration slows but does not prevent bacterial growth. Therefore, it's important to use food within recommended time before it spoils or becomes dangerous.

Are fish cakes processed? ›

However, they are classed as an ultra-processed food, according to a 2015 Cambridge University study, which categorised foods in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey based on their processing level. Professor Kuhnle said: 'Production methods can vary, but most in the UK are just fish and breadcrumbs.

Is fish cake processed meat? ›

In the Korean Food Standards Codex, fish cakes are defined as a processed marine product containing salt-soluble protein from fish meat (1).

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.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 6348

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.