Healthy Fish and Chips Recipe (2024)

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This healthy fish and chips recipe is a great way to enjoy a chip shop-style meal without the guilt. The fish is lightly coated in breadcrumbs and the chips are hand cut and tossed in a little oil. Both are baked in the oven until crisp and golden brown. Have these healthy fish and chips on the table in just 45 minutes, perfect for a mid week meal that is both easy and healthy.

Healthy Fish and Chips Recipe (1)

Jump to:
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Why make this recipe
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Step by step instructions
  • 💭 Expert tips
  • ❓ Frequently asked questions
  • 🦐 Other fish recipes
  • 📖 Recipe

👩🏻‍🍳 Why make this recipe

Fish and Chips, Britains staple meal. The dish that defines our coastline and makes the food fight against seagulls very, very real (I have first hand experience of this). Its a dish that can satisfy the greediest of mouths and one that will put a smile on your face when remembering sunny days sat on a bench, breathing in the sea air and feeling the slight chill of our relentless coastal winds. But, not all fish and chips need to be eaten at the seaside and it doesn't always need to dipped in batter and deep fried.

This recipe is a healthy version of the otherwise stodgy and oil soaked fish and chips. The fish is lightly coated in breadcrumbs and baked, and the chips are tossed in a small amount of oil and cooked in the oven until golden. The peas are garden peas, crushed and mixed with a bit of butter and mint. Nutritious, but still hits the spot when that chippy craving strikes.

🥘 Ingredients

To make this healthy fish and chips recipe at home you will need:

Healthy Fish and Chips Recipe (2)

Ingredient notes

Measurements: For the amounts required, see the recipe card below and use the toggle button to see the recipe in cups.

Fish:Use cod or haddock for the fish. For best results choose fillets that are thicker rather than longer. Thicker fillets will maintain their moisture better during cooking, so the finished fish will be crunchy on the outside and tender and moist on the inside.

Breadcrumbs: Use store bought standard breadcrumbs or for more of a crunch try with Japanese panko breadcrumbs. I tend to find that compared to panko breadcrumbs, standard breadcrumbs have a darker colour after cooking and are more flavoursome.

Flour and egg: These are necessary to ensure that the breadcrumbs fully coat and stick to the fish.

Potatoes: Use large floury potatoes such as Maris Piper or King Edward, which are good for baking.

🔪 Step by step instructions

  1. Pre heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line up 3 medium shallow bowls and a baking tray. Put the flour in one bowl, whisked egg in the second and breadcrumbs in the third. Season the flour with salt and pepper
  2. Take the first fish fillet and place in the flour bowl, turn the fillet and fully coat in the flour.
  3. Transfer the fillet to the egg bowl and turn to fully coat.
  4. Then transfer the fish from the egg bowl to the bread crumbs bowl. Turn in the bowl and coat with bread crumbs all over.Healthy Fish and Chips Recipe (3)
  5. Shake the fillet to remove any excess breadcrumbs then carefully place on a baking tray. Repeat with the second fillet. Set the breadcrumbed fish to one side whilst the chips are prepared.
  6. Leave the skins on the potatoes and slice into chip shapes. Place the chips into a bowl and toss in olive oil, salt and pepper.
  7. Transfer the chips to a second tray. Then place both the fish tray and chips tray into the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Turn half way through.
  8. Prepare the peas when the fish and chips have 5 minute left in the oven. Place the frozen garden peas in a small pan, cover with water and simmer for 2-3 minutes or until cooked.Healthy Fish and Chips Recipe (4)
  9. Drain the peas then add dried mint and butter then mix and use a masher to 'smash'.
  10. Serve the fish and chips on a board with peas in a bowl at the side.Healthy Fish and Chips Recipe (5)

💭 Expert tips

  • Try to buy fillets which are thick/fat rather than long.
  • Use floury potatoes for the chips.
  • If you don't want to use flour in this recipe then pat the fish dry with kitchen towel before coating in the egg. However, I do recommend using the flour to ensure a proper coating of egg, which in turn provides the perfect sticky surface for the breadcrumbs.
  • Slice the chips to a similar size so that they cook evenly.
  • line trays with greaseproof paper to help stop the fish and chips from sticking during cooking.
  • Turn the chips and fish a couple of time during cooking to stop the chips sticking to the tray and to ensure even colouring on the breadcrumbs.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Is oven baked fish healthy?

Fish is fantastic source of protein and if its a white fish then its also low in fat. However, the local chippy load the fish with fat by coating in batter and deep frying in oil. Coating in flour, eggs and breadcrumbs and then baking, substantially reduces calories and fat so making this method a lot healthier than the chippy method.

Can you reheat this recipe?

I don't recommend reheating this recipe as the fish is likely to dry out. You can however prepare everything up to the point when it all goes in the oven. Then wrap the trays in cling film (plastic wrap) and place in the fridge until you are ready to bake. Before baking, remove the trays from the fridge and allow to stand on the side for 30 minutes to come to room temperature.

Is this recipe gluten free?

The bread crumb coating in this recipe uses flour and bread crumbs, which both contain gluten. To make this recipe gluten free replace with gluten free flour and gluten free breadcrumbs. You can also leave out the flour if you prefer, see expert tips above.

Healthy Fish and Chips Recipe (6)

🦐 Other fish recipes

  • Classic Fish Pie Recipe
  • Fish Biryani
  • Salmon and Mackerel Fishcakes
  • Salmon and Prawn Linguine
  • Salmon Pasta Recipe
  • Haddock Risotto

If you've tried this recipe, let me know what you think by leaving a star rating in the recipe card or comment section below.I always appreciate your feedback! You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram or Sign up to my email list!

📖 Recipe

Healthy Fish and Chips Recipe (7)

Healthy Fish and Chips Recipe

By: Debbie Jones

This healthy fish and chips recipe is a great way to enjoy a chip shop-style meal without the guilt. The fish is lightly coated in breadcrumbs and the chips are hand cut and tossed in a little oil. Both are baked in the oven until crisp and golden brown. Have these healthy fish and chips on the table in just 45 minutes, perfect for a mid week meal that is both easy and healthy.

5 from 7 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine British

Servings 2 people

Calories 569 kcal

Equipment

  • 3 shallow bowls for flour, eggs and breadcrumbs

  • 2 baking trays

  • Large mixing bowl for chips

  • Spatula

Ingredients

For the Fish

  • 50 g plain flour
  • Pinch of salt and pepper
  • 1 egg whisked
  • 50 g breadcrumbs
  • 2 white fish fillets cod or haddock

For the chips

  • 2 large potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

For the peas

  • 200 g frozen garden peas
  • 1 teaspoon dried mint
  • 10 g butter

Instructions

  • Pre heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line up 3 medium shallow bowls and a baking tray. Put the flour in one bowl, whisked egg in the second and breadcrumbs in the third. Season the flour with salt and pepper.

  • Take the first fish fillet and place in the flour bowl, turn the fillet and fully coat in the flour.

  • Transfer the fillet to the egg bowl and turn to fully coat.

  • Then transfer the fish from the egg bowl to the bread crumbs bowl. Turn in the bowl and coat with bread crumbs all over.

  • Shake the fillet to remove any excess breadcrumbs then carefully place on a baking tray. Repeat with the second fillet. Set the breadcrumbed fish to one side whilst the chips are prepared.

  • Leave the skins on the potatoes and slice into chip shapes. Place the chips into a bowl and toss in olive oil, salt and pepper.

  • Transfer the chips to a second tray. Then place both the fish tray and chips tray into the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Turn half way through.

  • Prepare the peas when the fish and chips have 5 minute left in the oven. Place the frozen garden peas in a small pan, cover with water and simmer for 2-3 minutes or until cooked.

  • Drain the peas then add dried mint and butter then mix and use a masher to 'smash'.

  • Serve the fish and chips on a board with peas in a bowl at the side.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 569kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 179mg | Sodium: 464mg | Potassium: 1762mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1136IU | Vitamin C: 89mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 5mg

Notes

Expert tips

  • Try to buy fillets which are thick/fat rather than long.
  • Use floury potatoes for the chips.
  • If you don't want to use flour in this recipe then pat the fish dry with kitchen towel before coating in the egg. However, I do recommend using the flour to ensure a proper coating of egg, which in turn provides the perfect sticky surface for the breadcrumbs.
  • Slice the chips to a similar size so that they cook evenly.
  • Line trays with greaseproof paper to help stop the fish and chips from sticking during cooking.
  • Turn the chips and fish a couple of time during cooking to stop the chips sticking to the tray and to ensure even colouring on the breadcrumbs.

Is oven baked fish heathy? Fish is fantastic source of protein and if its a white fish then its also low in fat. However, the local chippy load the fish with fat by coating in batter and deep frying in oil. Coating in flour, eggs and breadcrumbs and then baking, substantially reduces calories and fat so making this method a lot healthier than the chippy method.

Can you reheat this recipe? I don't recommend reheating this recipe as the fish is likely to dry out. You can however prepare everything up to the point when it all goes in the oven. Then wrap the trays in cling film (plastic wrap) and place in the fridge until you are ready to bake. Before baking, remove the trays from the fridge and allow to stand on the side for 30 minutes to come to room temperature.

Is this recipe gluten free? The bread crumb coating in this recipe uses flour and bread crumbs, which both contain gluten. To make this recipe gluten free replace with gluten free flour and gluten free breadcrumbs. You can also leave out the flour if you prefer, see expert tips above.

More Fish Recipes

  • Chilli Garlic Prawns Starter
  • Smoked Haddock Risotto
  • Thai Green Prawn Curry
  • Salmon Pasta Recipe
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. applytofaceblog

    My goodness I can taste that now!!One of my fave meals.This looks yummy and I always buy Sarsons!

    Reply

  2. Recipes Made Easy

    It was so lovely to really meet you (as apposed to virtually) on the tour, it certainly was a fascinating tour wasn't it. And what better way to use Sarsons than on a healthy version of fish and chips!

    Reply

    • Debbie

      So lovely to meet you too Jacqui and I really hope we get to meet again soon. As I said - I'm not against a trip down to London! 😀

      Reply

  3. Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie

    Oooh - that factory trip sounds fascinating! And I love your homemade fish and chips recipe - I love panko breadcrumbs but I've never had fish coated in them - NEED to try that! Eb x

    Reply

  4. Monika

    It must have been so interesting to see how vinegar is actually made. Thank you for bringing your healthy delicious recipe to #CookBlogShare:)

    Reply

  5. Corina

    Sarsons is an absolute staple in our house too! My husband loves it on chips and my little girl always has a little dipping bowl next to her plate and she dips everything in it - chips, chicken, sausages, even bread! I'd love to have visited the factory and it sounds like you had a great day. The fish sounds lovely too! Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEaatTwice x

    Reply

    • Debbie

      Haha - that's amazing Corina. I love my sarsons - but maybe not quite that much 😂

      Reply

Healthy Fish and Chips Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is healthy at fish and chips? ›

Fish and chips
  • Try to avoid: thin-cut chips, pies such as cheese and onion or steak and kidney, jumbo sausages.
  • Healthier options: fish coated in breadcrumbs, mushy peas, thicker-cut chips without salt.

What are the top 5 fish for fish and chips? ›

The most prominent variations of fish and chips are due to the different types of fish used. The highest quality shops use Atlantic cod, rock (sometimes referred to as rig), plaice, skate, scampi, and Haddock.

What is a substitute for beer in fish and chips batter? ›

Found among the beer and wine, but lacking the alcohol, is the perfect swap for beer battered fish: club soda. Full of bubbles due to its carbonation, club soda can give the same lightness to a batter as beer would.

Can you use water instead of beer for fish batter? ›

Other ingredients can be used for crispness, but the most discerning critics know the best option is to make beer-battered fish. For example, some chefs skip the bubbly quality of beer and go with baking powder, flour, and ice-cold water.

Is it okay to eat fish and chips once a week? ›

It contains protein, carbs, fats, minerals, and some vitamins. It might not be an ideal daily menu (but it might), but there's no harm in eating it once a week... IF the rest of your diet is balanced. If you're eating deep-fried everything for every other meal, then fish & chips is not the ideal addition.

Can fried fish be healthy? ›

And while fried fish sure is delicious, it's important not to eat too much of it. “When we fry something, whether it's fish or chicken or whatever it may be, a lot of times those oils are not heart healthy, they're saturated fats,” explained Beth Czerwony, RD, registered dietitian for Cleveland Clinic.

What is the tastiest fish for fish and chips? ›

To many people, cod is the top choice. It has a mild flavor and extremely tender meat. If you like a big contrast between the crunchy outer shell and delicate white fish inside, cod is the one for you. Its subtle flavor goes well with salt and vinegar.

What kind of fish does Gordon Ramsay use in his fish and chips? ›

Crispy Cod.

Explore all of our delicious favorites, from cod with a perfect golden crisp to dirty chips with truffle and parmesan. Be warned, extreme hunger and cravings may ensue.

What fish do most chip shops use? ›

In most chip shops the standard “fish and chips” is Cod I believe mostly out of the Atlantic. You can get haddock and chips too in most places and scampi if you want something a little different. However cod is your go to. Cod or haddock, traditionally.

Why add beer to batter? ›

First, the bubbles provide lift as they escape from the batter during frying. Second, the carbonation makes the batter slightly more acidic, which limits how much gluten can form when the beer and flour mix, preventing the batter from turning tough.

What beer is best for making fish and chips? ›

When creating the perfect beer batter, one tip stands out distinctly: use Guinness. On first thoughts, Guinness, with its rich, dark profile, might seem an unlikely choice. But it's this very quality that makes it a stellar partner for fish and chips.

Why do they put beer in fish and chips? ›

Speaking of beer, it's the secret to the perfect batter, which makes it super fluffy, smooth and crispy all at the same time (but if you don't do alcohol, check out the recipe card below for a substitute).

Why add vodka to fish batter? ›

Because vodka is more volatile than water, it evaporates more quickly, which dries out the batter faster and more violently. That creates larger bubbles and even more surface area, in turn resulting in a much crispier crust.

What does vodka do in fish batter? ›

Vodka adds extra crunch to the classic battered fish and chips. Our beer and vodka battered fish recipe is adapted from Heston Blumenthal's book In Search of Perfection', it seems he has elevated the humble fish and chips to greater heights.

Do you need egg for beer batter? ›

These are the simple ingredients you'll need to make this basic beer batter recipe: Flour: This homemade beer batter starts with all-purpose flour. Cornstarch: Cornstarch ensures an extra crispy, light fry every time. Egg: An egg creates a more delicate crust and helps seal in moisture.

What is the lowest calorie food at fish and chip shop? ›

Calories in Fish and Chips
DescriptionServing SizeskCal
Calories in Chip Shop, Fishcake1 Fishcake186
Calories in Chip Shop, Fried Chicken PiecesAve. Portion445
Calories in Chip Shop, GravySmall Serving98
Calories in Chip Shop, Haddock in BatterMedium395
14 more rows

What's the healthiest takeaway to have? ›

“Go for grilled dishes over fried; chicken and fish over fattier meats, like lamb; tomato or veggie sauces rather than creamy ones; and steamed rice over fried,” advises Laura. She also suggests avoiding sides and other add ons unless they're vegetables as well as eating mindfully and being aware of portion sizes.

Is fish and chips shop fish healthy? ›

Fish and chips represent a nutritious meal which is relatively low in total fat compared to some takeaways. By removing the batter from the fish, health- conscious consumers can enjoy a very low fat meal (fish 0.7% fat).

Which is healthier fish and chips or pizza? ›

Fish & Chips on average have 9.42 grams of fat per 100 grams, while the average pizza has 11, chicken korma 15.5 and a donner kebab a whopping 16.2. In terms of calories, fish and chips have 595 in an average portion, an average pizza has 871, chicken korma 910 and a donner kebab 924.

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