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Home » Fish » Pan Fried Walleye

Published: Feb 21, 2019 · Modified: Jul 13, 2020 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Pan Fried Walleye

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Fried fish fillets topped with lemon wedges.

Pan Fried Walleye has a light crisp coating and is quick and easy to make. Just a few ingredients are used to enhance the delicious, natural taste of walleye fish. 

The crispy golden crust and the juicy flaky fish make this a perfect recipe!

Crispy fish fillets topped with lemon wedges.
Table of Contents
Walleye
Key ingredients
How to make pan fried fish
Recipe tips
Serving suggestions
More ways to cook walleye
Pan Fried Walleye

Walleye

Walleye is a freshwater fish. This fish is native to many lakes in Canada and the Northern United States.  It is a white, very mild tasting fish.

This is the fish we caught when we were on our fishing/camping trip last summer. Do you remember the Beer Battered Fish? Yep, same fish. Same camping trip.  I also make a Walleye salad and a baked almond crusted fish.

We try to catch our limit and then bring back a bunch to stock our freezer. I pulled out a package to make this pan fried fish.

This pan fried walleye is delicious served with just a fresh squeeze of lemon juice or a bit of homemade tartar sauce.

Almost any white fish fillet can be pan fried using this recipe. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your fillets.

Another delicious fish to try is this pan fried trout.

Ingredients needed for making pan fried fish.

Ingredients

This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.

Key ingredients

  • Fish fillets - we use walleye. This recipe would also work with trout, bass, tilapia or other thin fillets.
  • Eggs - add the binder to hold the crumbs onto the fish
  • Seasoned bread crumbs - I use bread crumbs, but panko would work well too
  • Flour - just regular all-purpose flour
  • Seasonings - salt, onion powder and paprika

Fresh or frozen fillets can be used in this recipe. Just make certain your fish is fully thawed and dab the fillets with a paper towel so they are dry before using.

Crispy fried fish on a fork.

How to make it

In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.

How to make pan fried fish

  • Lightly beat eggs in a dish
  • In another dish combine flour, bread crumbs and seasoning
  • Dip fish in egg and then in flour mixture
  • Add a couple of tablespoons of oil to a pan
  • When pan is hot add fish and cook

I cook my fillets over a medium heat and cook for 3 minutes per side. Keep an eye on your fillets as they are cooking. You don't want them to burn.

Recipe tips

  • Once my fillets are nicely browned, I remove them from the pan and place them on a baking sheet lined with a rack. Then I pop them into a 250°F oven while I continue cooking the rest of the fillets. This helps keep the fish warm and crisp.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan. Add just enough fillets so there is a bit of space between each fillet.

Serving suggestions

Almost anything goes! Some of my favorites include Israeli Couscous Salad, Sauteed Peas, and a Caesar salad.

Don't forget to serve some yummy peach ice cream or oatmeal cranberry cookies for dessert.

This fish can also be used in fish tacos or made into a fish sandwich! You could almost have this every day of the week!

If you love fishing, you might also want to check out this post on How to Smoke Fish and Trout Almondine.

More ways to cook walleye

  • Fish Cakes
  • Beer Battered Fish
  • Walleye Salad
  • Blackened Walleye
Cooked walleye on a baking rack.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Check out all my delicious main dish recipes!

  • A bowl of chili topped with sour cream and cheese.
    Three Bean Turkey Chili
  • Chicken breast with lemon and rice in a skillet.
    Lemon Chicken and Rice
  • A casserole dish filled with chicken, salsa verde and cheese.
    Salsa Verde Chicken
  • Roast beef sandwiches on a board.
    Roast Beef Sliders
Crispy fish fillets topped with lemon wedges.

Pan Fried Walleye

Kathy
Crispy pan fried fish fillets
4.99 from 273 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 238 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Cast Iron Skillet
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 6 Walleye fillets
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cups flour
  • 1 cup Italian style bread crumbs
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika

For Frying

  • 4 Tablespoons oil

Instructions
 

  • Lightly beat eggs in a dish
    2 eggs
  • In another dish combine flour, bread crumbs and seasoning
    ¾ cups flour, 1 cup Italian style bread crumbs, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Dip fish in egg and then in flour mixture. Shake off any excess flour.
    6 Walleye fillets
  • Add a couple of tablespoons of oil to a pan and heat pan over medium heat.
    4 Tablespoons oil
  • When pan is hot, add 3-4 fillets to pan. Cook 3 minutes per side so each side is nicely browned. 
  • Remove fish from pan and place on a baking sheet lined with a baking rack. Place cooked fish in a 250° oven while you cook remaining fish. 
  • Wipe out pan and add additional oil. Repeat process with remaining fish. 

Video

Notes

I use canola or vegetable oil for frying.
May substitute white fish fillets for walleye.
Tips:
  • Once my fillets are nicely browned, I remove them from the pan and place them on a baking sheet lined with a rack. Then I pop them into a 250°F oven while I continue cooking the rest of the fillets. This helps keep the fish warm and crisp.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan. Add just enough fillets so there is a bit of space between each fillet.
  • I use a well seasoned cast iron skillet, but any large pan will work.
  • If using frozen fish, allow the fish to fully thaw. Pat fish with a paper towel to make certain it's dry. 

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1filletCalories: 238kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 15gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 482mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 0.6mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 2mg
Keyword fish fillets, pan fried fish, pan fried walleye
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

More Fish

  • A seasoned fish fillet on a white plate.
    Blackened Walleye
  • Crispy fish cakes on a white platter with lemon wedges.
    Fish Cakes
  • Cook shrimp with seasoning on a plate.
    Blackened Shrimp
  • A whole trout filled with lemons and sage.
    Baked Trout
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Molly Kreutzfeldt says

    September 05, 2023 at 12:59 pm

    How long do you bake them at 250 for? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 05, 2023 at 2:23 pm

      Hi Molly,
      I just keep them in the 250°F oven until I cook up another batch and am ready to serve dinner. This just keeps them warm. They should already be fully cooked after pan frying.
      Enjoy,
      Kathy 🙂

      Reply
  2. Celia J Andrus says

    July 04, 2023 at 4:04 pm

    5 stars
    Made this last night! It was delicious and everyone loved it!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      July 05, 2023 at 5:09 am

      Thank you so much! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Emily says

    May 09, 2023 at 10:03 am

    Can you do this with skin on one side of the fillets?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 09, 2023 at 10:15 am

      You bet!

      Reply
  4. Jude says

    April 25, 2023 at 7:56 am

    4 stars
    Liked the breading but next time I will add a lot more spice to it - maybe some smoked paprika. Nice and crispy but, as written, a little too bland for us.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 25, 2023 at 10:53 am

      Thank you! The great thing about this recipe is you can easily spice it up to your liking! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Carol says

    April 18, 2023 at 4:05 pm

    5 stars
    Made this for the second time tonight! Delicious and super easy. The flour/breadcrumb combo is a winner! Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 18, 2023 at 8:30 pm

      Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Ann Baker says

    March 14, 2023 at 8:37 am

    5 stars
    Absolutely perfect and such an easy way to and cook the fish. Loved the crispy coating and great flavor. Honestly never thought about combining flour and breadcrumbs, but it worked perfectly. Will be our new "go to" method for pan frying fish from now on!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      March 14, 2023 at 2:23 pm

      Thanks so much! 🙂

      Reply
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Fried fish fillets topped with lemon wedges.
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I'm Kathy, a busy working mom who loves to cook from scratch, grow a garden, and raise farm animals. Take a look around and find all my recipes, gardening tips, and country living antics.

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