Name: The Best Potato Crusted Fish for Lent
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 pound fish fillets (catfish, walleye, whiting, or similar); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 cup flour; 3/4 cup instant mashed potato flakes; 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning; 1/2 cup milk; 2 eggs, beaten; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 lemon, cut into wedges; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

This quick-cooking Potato Crusted Fish is one of our favorite instant potato recipes and one of the easiest Lent dinner ideas.

Potato Crusted Fish for Lent by Jeff Benda

A Fish Recipe To Please The Whole Family

If you’re anything like me, the Fridays of Lent can sometimes feel like a juggling act. As Catholics, we need to abstain from meat on Fridays, but you also need something quick, easy, and appealing for the whole family. That's when you are searching the internet for Lent dinner ideas!

That’s where this Potato Crusted Fish recipe swoops in to save the day. Packed with great flavor, a little crunch, and kid-approved appeal, this Lent dinner idea uses inexpensive pantry staples like instant potato flakes.

This recipe has become a Lenten favorite in our house, and a big favorite of our 10-year-old daughter who loves the with a side of French Fries. I’m confident it’ll make its way into your rotation too.

Why This Fish Recipe Works

Crunchy Texture: The instant potato flakes create a crispy, golden crust that’s irresistible.
Kid-Friendly: Even the pickiest eaters will love the mild flavor and fun texture.
Quick and Easy: With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
Versatile: Use your favorite mild fish fillet - walleye, catfish, tilapia, or even cod.
Perfect when you need Lent Dinner Ideas: Catholics need to abstain from flesh meat (beef, pork, chicken, venison) on days of penance, such as Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and the Fridays of Lent.

Ingredients You'll Need To Make This Fish For Lent

1 pound fish fillets (catfish, walleye, tilapia, or similar)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup flour
¾ cup instant mashed potato flakes
2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
½ cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 lemon, cut into wedges
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

How To Make Potato Crusted Fish

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Prepare the Fish: Take the fish fillets out of the fridge about 15 minutes before cooking. Pat them dry with paper towels, then sprinkle both sides with salt and black pepper.

3. Set Up Your Coating Station: Place flour in a shallow dish. In a second dish, whisk together the milk and beaten eggs. In a third dish, mix the instant mashed potato flakes and Old Bay seasoning.

Fish seasoned with salt and black pepper dredged in flour, then egg and milk, and then potato flakes with Old Bay.

4. Coat the Fish: Dredge each fish fillet in the flour first, then dip it in the milk and egg mixture, and finally coat it with the potato flake mixture. Make sure each piece is evenly coated for that perfect crunch.

5. Cook the Fish: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, add the fish fillets. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Potato Crusted Fish fried in oil and butter

6. Finish in the Oven (if needed): If the fish isn’t fully cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, transfer it to a baking sheet and place it in the oven for an additional 3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook, as this can dry out the fish.

7. Serve and Garnish: Plate the fish with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor

Serving Suggestions

Pair this crispy, golden fish with roasted asparagus, a simple side salad, or buttery mashed potatoes. For a true kid-approved meal, add a side of French fries or mac and cheese. My daughter loves dipping her fish into ketchup - a habit I’ve come to embrace because, hey, clean plates mean happy parents!

Pro Tips For Success

Don’t Skip the Patting Dry: Removing excess moisture from the fish ensures the coating sticks properly.
Watch the Heat: Medium-high heat is key. Too hot, and the crust burns before the fish cooks; too low, and you’ll end up with a soggy crust.

Instant Potato Recipe

Using instant potato flakes as a coating for the fish might seem unconventional, but trust me, they’re a great move. They crisp up beautifully in the skillet, offering a satisfying crunch without overpowering the delicate fish. Plus, they’re a great thing to keep on hand for that next camping trip. For now, this instant potato recipe is a win for busy Friday nights during Lent.

More Fish Recipes for Lent

If you are looking for more family-friendly recipes to serve during Fridays in Lent, be sure and check out our Coconut Crusted Fish and Salmon Chowder. Or you can find all of our fish recipes here.

Come Fishing in North Dakota

If you are headed to North Dakota to try your luck at fishing, check out the North Dakota Game & Fish Department website.

Join Our Wild Game Cooking Community

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this Potato Crusted Fish for Lent, tag @wildgameandfish so I can share it on my Instagram stories.

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The Best Potato Crusted Fish for Lent

This quick-cooking Potato Crusted Fish is one of our favorite instant potato recipes and one of the easiest Lent dinner ideas.

4.97 from 29 votes

Print Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 30-minute meals, dinner, fish recipes, instant potato recipes, lent recipes, potato crusted fish, quick and easy

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 20

Servings: servings

Author: Jeff Benda

Ingredients

1 pound fish fillets (catfish, walleye, whiting, or similar)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup flour
¾ cup instant mashed potato flakes
2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
½ cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 lemon, cut into wedges
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Take your fish out 15 minutes before cooking. Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels, then sprinkle both sides of each fillet with the salt and black pepper.
Put flour in a shallow dish. Whisk together milk and egg and place in a second shallow dish. Combine instant potatoes and Old Bay seasoning in a third shallow dish.
Dredge fish fillets in the flour, then egg/milk, and then instant potatoes.
Melt butter and olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temp is the recommended 145 degrees F. If the outside of the fish is nice and golden brown, but the internal temp isn't quite to 145 degrees F, place the fish on a rimmed baking sheet and in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 3 minutes until done. Don't overcook the fish or it will dry out!
Like most Lent dinner ideas, it's important to keep the dish simple. The girls love eating this potato crusted fish with some roasted asparagus. But you can choose to pair it with your favorite vegetable side dish.