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Oven-baked fish and chips

If you are like me and really enjoy something fried and crispy - and I mean REALLY enjoy - but know that it is probably not the best thing to eat more than sparingly, baking can be a good alternative to satisfy your crispy cravings.

The crust on the fish here is thanks to a seasoned mixture of panko breadcrumbs and cornmeal. A brief soak in buttermilk adds a tenderizing tang. The potatoes take on a little extra crisp in the oven from the addition of vinegar to the parboiling liquid. I used rockfish when I made these, but any firm-fleshed, mild-flavored fish will work.

Check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Consumer Guides to see which fish are the most sustainable in your area.

Servings: 4

Cook Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds fish fillets, like rockfish, cod, tilapia, or halibut
  • 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed clean
  • ¼ cup vinegar, like white distilled, white wine, or apple cider
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Lemon wedges, for garnish
  • Malt vinegar, for serving

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. 
  2. Place fish in shallow baking dish, season lightly with salt and pepper and cover with buttermilk, turning to coat. Let soak while preparing the potatoes.
  3. Cut the potatoes lengthwise into thick wedges (approximately 4 for smaller potatoes and 6 or 8 for larger ones). 
  4. Add to a large pot and cover with cold water by 2 inches, along with the vinegar and a little salt. Bring to a boil over high heat then reduce to a simmer, and cook until just tender, about 10-15 minutes. 
  5. Drain into colander and, when they look dry, toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. 
  6. Place on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 30 minutes, or until crispy and browned.
  7. Meanwhile, while the potatoes simmer, make the seasoned breadcrumb mixture by combining the panko, cornmeal, chili powder, paprika, thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. 
  8. Put the breadcrumb mixture on a dinner plate for dredging. 
  9. After putting the potatoes in the oven, remove the fish fillets from the buttermilk one-by-one, allowing some buttermilk to drip off, and coat both sides with the breadcrumb mixture. Place on a second baking sheet. Repeat until all fillets are coated. 
  10. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over the fillets, and place in the oven once the potatoes have been roasting for about 15 minutes.

Start checking the fish for doneness after 15 minutes. It will feel firm to the touch, and if you peek inside the flesh will be opaque all the way through.

Remove the fish and potatoes from the oven and serve warm with lemon wedges, malt vinegar, and a large green salad.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Fish sticks:

  • Calories: 350
  • Total fat: 7 g
  • Saturated fat: 1.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Total carbohydrate: 34 g
  • Dietary fiber: 3 g
  • Sugars: 4 g
  • Protein: 37 g

Potatoes:

  • Calories: 150
  • Total fat: 7 g
  • Saturated fat: 1.5 g
  • Cholesterol:0 mg
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Total carbohydrate: 19 g
  • Dietary fiber: 2 g
  • Sugars: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g

Contributor

Benjamin Maring, MD

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