DIn these baked fish nuggets, fresh cod is cut into bite-size pieces and dipped in an egg batter, rolled in panko and baked until crispy!

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Now… *ahem* Three reasons why you will love these fish nuggets (besides the fact that they are amazing).

1. Because they have a crispy outside and a tender inside. Who doesn’t love that in regards to EVERYTHING?
2. Annnnnd you get to dunk them in a most delicious tartar sauce. duh.
3. But mostly because they beat Gordon’s and Van de Kamp’s to a PULP in flavor, texture and real fish-ness. Can I get an AMEN?!
Let me break it down for you…

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

To make These Fish Nuggets You Will Need:

for the fish nuggets:

  • fresh, wild caught cod
  • eggs
  • lemon juice
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • whole milk
  • plain nonfat greek yogurt
  • Dijon mustard
  • Frank’s Red Hot sauce
  • Panko breadcrumbs

for the tatar sauce:

  • mayonnaise
  • sweet pickle relish
  • hot sauce
  • kosher salt and black pepper (optional)

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Let’s get started, shall we? Crack 2 eggs into a dish.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Measure out 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard and add it to the eggs.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Add 1 tablespoon hot sauce, it doesn’t make these “hot” just good flavor. Promise.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Next add in 1/4 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Pour in 1/4 cup whole milk.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Whisk it until everything is smooth and creamy.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Measure and add 2 cups of Panko bread crumbs into a separate dish and then set the egg mixture and the crumbs aside.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Cod is a white fish obviously and it’s the best fish for nuggeting (in my opinion). And you need 1 pound.

If you can’t find cod, then try tilapia.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over top of the fish.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Season it with salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Slice it lengthwise into long strips.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Cut the strips into nugget-looking pieces. Try to keep it uniform so they cook at the same rate.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Dunk a few of the fish pieces into the egg mixture.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Roll them around in the Panko. Pressing the crumbs into the fish if needed.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Place them onto a parchment lined sheet pan. Pretend that’s not a silpat, k? After I baked these for 10 minutes I remember that I really shouldn’t broil using a silpat. So I did a little switch-a-roo and put them on some parchment. Do it the right way the first time. Don’t be like me.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Turn the broiler on, and with the door ajar, watch carefully so they don’t burn. Once they are a deep golden remove and let cool for a smidge.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Baked fish nuggets!

Serve with this tartar sauce and I promise you’ll be so glad you did.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Dip. Eat. Repeat.

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Seriously tho, MAKE the tartar sauce!

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

Bite, re-dunk and repeat. You could also stuff a few of these little nuggets-o-love into some toasty corn tortillas with some shredded cabbage and a squeeze of lime, maybe even some avocado and jalapeños for a little fish taco goodness.

Enjoy! And if you give this Fish Nugget recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Baked Fish Nuggets l SimplyScratch.com

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Yield: 4 servings

Crispy Baked Fish Nuggets + Tartar Sauce

In these baked fish nuggets, fresh cod is cut into bite-size pieces and dipped in an egg batter, rolled in panko and baked until crispy!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh, wild caught cod
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Frank's Red Hot sauce
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs

FOR THE TARTAR SAUCE:

  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 tablespoon of Frank's Red Hot, more or less to taste
  • kosher salt, optional
  • black pepper

Instructions 

MAKE THE NUGGETS:

  • Preheat your oven to 400° and line a rimmed baking pan with parchment.
  • In a shallow dish combine the eggs, mustard, hot sauce, milk and Greek yogurt. Whisk until combined and set aside. Place two cups of Panko in another dish and set aside as well.
  • Squeeze fresh lemon over the cod and season it with salt and pepper.
  • Slice the fresh cod lengthwise and then cut into nugget like pieces. Dunk the cod into the egg mixture and using a fork remove, draining off any excess.
  • Then place in the panko, toss and press the breadcrumbs to help them adhere, then place the breaded nuggets onto prepared pan. Working in batches if needed, bake for 10 minutes.
  • Turn on broiler, crack the door and watch carefully until golden. Serve with my homemade tartar sauce.

MAKE the tartar sauce:

  • Combine all ingredients, stir and refrigerate until ready to use.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 463kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 27g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 107mg, Sodium: 960mg, Potassium: 783mg, Fiber: 11g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 5124IU, Vitamin C: 38mg, Calcium: 387mg, Iron: 8mg