Easy Fish Cakes Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Lauren Matheson ·

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Made with leftover fish and potatoes, this easy Fish Cakes recipe can be ready to enjoy in a little over 30 minutes and this simple meal is guaranteed to become a family favourite! Serve with your favourite salad, vegetables, homemade tartare sauce and sprinkle with lemon juice.

Find both regular and Thermomix instructions in the recipe card below.

Easy Fish Cakes Recipe (1)

You will love:

Budget Friendly – this traditional Fish Cake recipe can be made using leftover fish and potatoes, making it a perfect budget friendly and easy meal.

Versatile – Serve these Fish Cakes with a simple salad or vegetables.

Great for entertaining – Make these Fish Cakes a little smaller to turn them into the perfect finger food or appetiser for your next party.

Easy Fish Cakes Recipe (2)

Ingredients

Please note you will find both regular and Thermomix instructions in the recipe card below.

  • Cooked Fresh Fish – Basa Fillets were used to make the Fish Cakes pictured.
  • Cooked Potatoes – mashed potato can also be used.
  • Milk
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Garlic
  • Lemon Zest
  • Onion Flakes
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Chives
  • Eggs
  • Panko Breadcrumbs – using Panko Breadcrumbs will help to give your Fish Cakes a crunchy crust.

How to Make Fish Cakes:

Step 1. Place the fish fillets and mashed potatoes into a large mixing bowl and mash.

Step 2. Add the milk, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon rind, onion flakes, mustard, egg and salt and pepper and stir well to combine.

Step 3. Use a large spoon to scoop up the fish mixture and shape with your hands to form fish patties.

Step 4. Coat with the bread crumbs.

Step 5. Transfer to the fridge and let chill.

Step 6. Place olive oil into a large frying pan and heat over a medium heat. Cook the Fish Cakes for 3 -4 minutes on each side before flipping over.

Easy Fish Cakes Recipe (3)

Easy Fish Cakes Recipe Hints and Tips

This recipe is very simple to make and it’s also really versatile. We enjoyed the ‘chunkier’ texture of the fish and potatoes, however you can choose to use a food processor to combine your fish and potatoes if you would like a smoother texture.

Leftover mashed potato can also be used for this recipe.

You can use any type of white fish for this recipe, I used Basa Fillets in the Fish Cakes pictured.

You could also add some leftover corn or other vegetables to your mixture as well as using other types of fish, such as salmon, too.

This recipe is not only perfect for using up leftovers, but it also makes a great simple meal or snack.

It’s important to chill the fish cakes in the fridge before cooking as this helps them to keep their shape.

We like to serve these with some homemade vegetable chips and salad, but they are also yummy when served with steamed vegetables and rice too. You may also like to enjoy these with homemade tartare sauce and lemon juice.

Store in the fridge and consumed within two days and leftover Fish Cakes can be frozen for up to three months. Uncooked fish cakes can also be frozen for up to three months.

Easy Fish Cakes Recipe (4)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep Fish Cakes from falling apart?

Break the fish into small pieces to help it bind together. It is also important to let the cakes chill in the fridge as this will help them to hold their shape.

Is it ok to freeze Fish Cakes?

You can freeze Fish Cakes for up to three months. They can be stored in the fridge for up to two days.

Easy Fish Cakes Recipe (5)

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes:

  • Zucchini Slice
  • Baked Chicken Cheese and Zucchini Balls
  • Spinach and Cheese Gozleme
  • Rissoles Recipe

Easy Fish Cakes Recipe (6)

Easy Fish Cakes Recipe

This easy Fish Cakes recipe is a great way to use up any leftover fish and potatoes. These Fish Cakes are simple to make, freezer friendly and both regular and Thermomix instructions are included too.

4.44 from 60 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Chilling Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Modern

Servings 12 Fish Cakes

Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 x Frying Pan

Ingredients

  • 500 grams cooked fish
  • 350 grams cooked potatoes
  • 2 tablespoon milk
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese finely grated
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 lemon rind
  • 1 tablespoon onion flakes
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon chives finely chopped
  • 2 eggs
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • olive oil for cooking

Instructions

  • Place the panko breadcrumbs into a bowl and set aside until needed.

  • Place the fish and potatoes into a large bowl and mash. Alternatively, if you would prefer your fish cakes to have a ‘smooth’ consistency, you can process these ingredients in a food processor.

  • Add the milk, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon rind, onion flakes, mustard, egg and salt and pepper and stir well to combine.

  • Use a large dessert spoon to scoop up the mixture and shape with your hands to form a ball.

  • Place the ball into the panko breadcrumbs and gently roll to coat.

  • Place the coated fish cakes onto a plate and repeat steps 4 and 5 until all of the mixture has been used.

  • Transfer the fish cakes to the fridge for 30 minutes to chill, this will help them to hold their shape.

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and add 4 – 5 fish cakes. The amount of fish cakes you can cook at a time will depend on the size of your frying pan. Cook for 3 minutes before carefully flipping and cooking for a further 2 minutes on the other side or until nice and brown.

  • Repeat until all of your fish cakes have been cooked.

Thermomix Instructions

  • Place the panko breadcrumbs into a bowl and set aside until needed.

  • Place the fish and potatoes into your Thermomix bowl and mix on speed 5 for 5 seconds to combine. Scrape down the sides of your bowl.

  • Add the milk, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon rind, onion flakes, mustard, egg and salt and pepper mix for 6 seconds, speed 5 on REVERSE.

  • Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix for a further 5 seconds, speed 4 REVERSE or until combined.

  • Follow instructions as above from step 4.

Notes

This recipe is very simple to make and it’s also really versatile. We enjoyed the ‘chunkier’ texture of the fish and potatoes, however you can choose to use a food processor to combine your fish and potatoes if you would like a smoother texture.

You can use any type of fish for this recipe, I used Basa Fillets in the Fish Cakes pictured.

You could also add some leftover corn or other vegetables to your mixture as well as using other types of fish, such as salmon, too.

This easy Fish Cake recipe is not only perfect for using up leftovers, but it also makes a great simple meal or snack.

It’s important to chill the fish cakes in the fridge before cooking as this helps them to keep their shape.

We like to serve these with some homemade vegetable chips and salad, but they are also yummy when served with steamed vegetables and rice too.

These Fish Cakes are best stored in the fridge and consumed within two days and can be frozen for three months.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 12gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 253mgPotassium: 341mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 74IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Fish Cakes, Thermomix Fish Cakes

Tried this recipe? Please leave a rating and tag me on Instagram! Mention @createbakemake or tag #createbakemake!

You can find more simple and delicious recipes (and easy weeknight dinners!) in our books and eBooks, shop the range here.

Easy Fish Cakes Recipe (7)
Easy Fish Cakes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep fish cakes from falling apart? ›

Refrigerate The Mix, Use A Sheet Pan

Then you can scoop the cakes and put them on a sheet pan to cool down in the fridge once again. The cooler temperature of the mix will help everything stick together better when the patties are pan-fried, crisping them up nicely.

How do you get fish cakes to stick together? ›

Egg – Next, dip the fish cake into the beaten eggs and let the excess drip off. Panko breadcrumbs – And finally, place it in a bowl of panko breadcrumbs. Spoon some breadcrumbs over then use your hands to pat it on to adhere as best you can.

How are fish cakes made? ›

A fishcake (sometimes written as fish cake) is a culinary dish consisting of filleted fish or other seafood minced or ground, mixed with a starchy ingredient, and fried until golden. Asian-style fishcakes usually contain fish with salt, water, starch, and egg. They can include a combination of fish paste and surimi.

Why do my homemade fish cakes fall apart? ›

Your recipe is out of balance. Too much sugar, fat or liquid or not enough flour. Or you could be opening your oven before the cake is set and the cake is falling at that point.

What is the best binder for fish cakes? ›

Eggs and cracker crumbs will help bind everything together below a drift of spice. Make sure to leave some time to chill the resulting patties in the refrigerator – the cold will help them set up so they don't fall apart in the sauté pan.

Why are my fishcakes mushy? ›

Make sure that the mashed potatoes are dry and fluffy (preferably without any added milk or butter), as if the mash is too wet then the fishcakes can be difficult to handle and may become too soft when they are defrosted.

How do you know when fish cakes are done? ›

Fry the fishcakes a few at a time until the base is golden, flip them and repeat with the other side. Keep flipping until the fishcakes are a deep brown colour (but not burnt). Serve hot.

What is the function of egg in fish cakes? ›

One thing you'll always need for fish cakes is an egg. The proteins in the egg will help bind together your fish cake mix as it cooks. Think of it as your glue: Without it, your fish cakes are going to fall apart.

What helps batter stick to fish? ›

There are several ways to make batter stick to fish:
  1. Dry the fish thoroughly: Before battering the fish, make sure it is completely dry. ...
  2. Season the fish: Season the fish with salt and pepper before applying the batter. ...
  3. Use a light coating of flour: Coat the fish lightly with flour before dipping it in the batter.
Mar 30, 2016

What is the pink stuff in fish cakes? ›

Narutomaki is made from surimi (white fish paste) that's been molded into a log and steamed. The pink spiral comes from dying half of the surimi with red food coloring and then rolling it into a cylinder.

What is the pink in fish cake? ›

This processed roll is primarily made of frozen surimi (processed, pureed whitefish), while the pink swirl comes from food coloring. Invented in the 1800s and prepared by slicing and steaming, narutomaki has a history of gracing traditional noodle soups, such as ramen and soba.

Are fish cakes good for you? ›

Light on the stomach and easy to digest, Fish Cakes are also a healthy addition to your diet as they are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Here we share a Fish Cake recipe that is flavourful and easy to make. You can also make this recipe as a snack for a birthday party or a kitty party.

What can I use instead of breadcrumbs for fish cakes? ›

The Best 10 Breadcrumb Substitutes
  • Rolled oats. Rolled oats are the perfect gluten-free binding ingredient, replacing breadcrumbs in meatballs or meatloaf and many more recipes when you need to bind meat and eggs. ...
  • Potato chips. ...
  • Cornflakes. ...
  • Almonds. ...
  • Croutons. ...
  • Crackers. ...
  • Seeds.
Oct 18, 2022

How do you keep fish from falling apart when cooking? ›

Fish proteins break apart pretty easily at warmer temperatures, so keep it refrigerated until ready to use. Dry off the fillets/nuggets/tenders before battering to ensure better adhesion, which helps support the fish such that it falls apart less easily. Cook at the right temperature for the right amount of time.

How do you thicken fish cakes? ›

Add some breadcrumbs if you have them, stir a few handfuls into the mixture before you coat them. Don't add flour, it'll not cook and you will taste it. And when the burgers have been made into the right shape I stick them in the fridge for at least half an hour, which solidifies them a bit more.

How do you keep fish from crumbling? ›

1) Do not bring the fish to room temperature and keep it cold until ready for sautéing. 2) Do not marinate or bread them, however dip them in white flour to coat and shake the excess. Make sure the oil in the pan is hot, then place the fish. This provides a little protection.

How do you keep cake layers from breaking? ›

Don't let cake assembly scare you. You can avoid breaking the top layer when building your cake by popping it into the freezer—it'll help ensure the layer is stable. If you're short on time, use a spatula to gently lift the top layer onto the bottom.

Why do my cakes keep falling? ›

Too much air and your cake will collapse because it simply can't hold onto all that air. Overbeating can add too much additional air and/or large air bubbles which the cake can't support, causing it to collapse in the oven.

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