This Fish Sandwich Recipe layers flaky fish, creamy avocado, and a tangy lemon sauce on buttery toasted brioche buns. Big flavor and ready in under 20 minutes!

View of the quickest Fish Sandwich, complete with bun and toppings.
chelsea

author’s note

My Filet-O-Fish Loving Brother-In-Law Approved This One!

My brother-in-law is obsessed with McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwiches and while that will probably never be my McDonald’s order, I do love a really good fish sandwich. So when I knew he was coming into town, I wanted to surprise him with a fish sandwich dinner I knew he’d be excited about.

I got to work testing recipes and quickly realized something: there is absolutely no reason to spend time breading and frying your own fish when there are so many good frozen fillets out there already. I’ve been buying and loving Gorton’s fish fillets for years, so I decided to build the sandwich around those instead.

And honestly? In the stage of life I’m in right now, shortcuts like that are complete lifesavers.

Once those crispy fillets got layered onto buttery toasted brioche buns with creamy avocado, crunchy lettuce, pickles, and a homemade tartar sauce, these sandwiches became next-level good. Safe to say they were the biggest hit of the night. After hearing compliment after compliment, I knew this recipe needed to make its way onto the site because this truly is one seriously good fish sandwich!

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Ingredient shot: all the elements for this Fish Sandwich recipe

Fish Sandwich Ingredients:

IngredientSwaps & Tips
Brioche bunsPotato buns or Hawaiian buns also work.
Frozen crispy fish filletsGorton’s fish sandwich fillets are my favorite, but use any crispy fish fillet you like. Air frying makes them extra crispy and cooks them fast!
AvocadoDon’t have fresh avocado? I love these Zest and juice the lemon.
Sweet pickle relishFinely diced pickles also work.
Fresh dillDried dill works in a pinch.
Process shots: Combine tartar sauce ingredients and mix; fry fish fillets in the air fryer.

How To Make This Fish Sandwich Recipe

  1. Sauce: Whisk together sauce ingredients. Refrigerate while preparing everything else.
  2. Cook Fish: Air fry or bake the fish fillets according to package directions until crispy.
  3. Toast Buns: Butter the buns and toast them until golden brown.
  4. Assemble: Spread sauce on bun, then layer with lettuce, avocado, fish, and pickles.
  5. Serve Immediately: These are best hot and fresh while the fish is super crispy.

chelsea’s recipe tip

My Top Fish Sandwich Recipe Tips

  • Don’t overcrowd: Leave space around the fish so it crisps properly when cooking.
  • Toast the buns: Skipping this step makes the sandwich way less delicious.
  • Dry lettuce: Wet lettuce can make the sandwich soggy fast.
  • Chill sauce: The flavor gets even better after sitting for a bit.

What To Serve With A Fish Sandwich:

  • Fries: Sweet potato fries or crispy air fryer fries are always a win.
  • Coleslaw: The cool crunch pairs perfectly with the crispy fish.
  • Fruit Salad: Try this tropical, regular, or fluff salad.
  • Chips: An easy side for busy nights.
  • Pasta Salad: Perfect if you’re serving these for summer dinners or gatherings.
View of a hand holding a fully assembled Fish Sandwich

Storage

This Fish Sandwich Recipe is best enjoyed fresh while the fish is crispy.

• Store extra sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
• Reheat leftover fish in the air fryer to help crisp it back up.
• Avoid assembling sandwiches ahead of time or they can get soggy.

More Easy Sandwich Recipes:

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Fish Sandwich

This Fish Sandwich combines flaky fish, creamy avocado, and tangy lemon sauce on buttery toasted brioche. Every bite is loaded with flavor, and it’s ready in under 25 minutes!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 1 sandwich (with sandwich spread for more)

Ingredients

Sauce (for multiple sandwiches!)
  • 1/2 cup mayo Best Foods/Hellman’s
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish see note 1
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
  • 1 lemon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Fish Sandwich (for 1; scales up easily!)
  • 1 brioche bun plus softened butter
  • 1 frozen fish sandwich fillet see note 2
  • 1/4 large ripe avocado thinly sliced
  • 2 pieces lettuce
  • Pickles optional

Instructions 

  • Combine all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl, including 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper (or to taste). Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use. Re-stir before using.
  • Prepare the fish sandwich fillet as per the package instructions, either by air frying or baking.
  • Generously spread the insides of the brioche bun with softened butter. Place the buns buttered side down on a pan or grill set over medium heat. Toast for 30 seconds to a minute or until golden brown. Watch closely to prevent burning. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  • Generously spread the prepared sauce on both halves of the toasted bun. Layer with lettuce, avocado slices, cooked fish fillet, and pickles (if using). Top with the other half of the bun. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: I’m Team Heinz® for sweet pickle relish. If relish isn’t your jam, finely diced bread-and-butter pickles are an excellent alternative. The goal is a consistent texture, so finely dice the pickles if you’re skipping the relish.
Note 2: I love Gorton’s® Fish Sandwich Fillets, but pick your favorite crispy fish fillet brand! A pro tip: If you have an air fryer, it not only speeds up the cooking but also makes the fillets taste the best.
Nutrition Note: Nutrition information will vary, depending on the quantities of butter and relish as well as the brand of brioche bun.
Storage: This is best enjoyed fresh. Store extra sauce in an airtight container for 3-4 days, and keep buns at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 622kcal | Carbohydrates: 33.7g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 44.1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 1008.2mg | Fiber: 6.4g | Sugar: 7.9g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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