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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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A fork with a portion of fried fish.

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
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.

Ingredients needed for making pan fried fish.

Key ingredients

  • Fish fillets
  • Eggs
  • Seasoned bread crumbs
  • 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 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 degree 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.
Cooked walleye on a baking rack.

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 everyday of the week!

If you love fishing, you might also want to check out this post on How to Smoke Fish!

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!

  • Chicken Philly Cheesesteak
  • Beef Enchilada Casserole
  • Cast Iron Chicken Thighs
  • Baked BBQ Chicken Legs
Crispy fish fillets topped with lemon wedges.

Pan Fried Walleye

Kathy
Crispy pan fried fish fillets
4.99 from 163 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 238 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
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 degree 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.

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
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Comments

  1. Lori A Coleman says

    August 12, 2021 at 1:23 pm

    This is great, how I cook walleye too…but the protein number seems off in the nutrition info. A 4 oz fillet has more than 30 grams of protein.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 13, 2021 at 2:22 pm

      Hi Lori,
      Thank you for your information.
      Kathy

      Reply
  2. dana wagner says

    July 19, 2021 at 12:48 pm

    How long to you keep the fish in the oven for?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      July 20, 2021 at 6:08 am

      Hi Dana,
      I just keep it in the oven to keep it warm when I am cooking the fish in batches. This helps keep the first batch warm while I am cooking the rest. You do not want to keep it in too long or it will dry out. I wouldn't keep it in there for longer than 20 minutes.
      Enjoy! 🙂

      Reply
      • Dana says

        July 20, 2021 at 3:54 pm

        Thanks, it turned out great

      • Kathy says

        July 20, 2021 at 8:42 pm

        Wonderful!

  3. Christopher L Simons says

    July 15, 2021 at 4:18 pm

    5 stars
    I mostly used this recipe for the preparation of the fish. I noticed all of these spices are included with other spices in Old Bay.

    Reply
  4. Kevin says

    June 30, 2021 at 10:55 am

    5 stars
    ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!! First time to cook walleye filets and can't imagine trying anything else. Amazing!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      June 30, 2021 at 4:43 pm

      Thanks, Kevin!!! I appreciate your rave!!! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Matt says

    May 29, 2021 at 5:59 pm

    This recipe was not very good 🙃. It did not mention deboning the fish and my wife got a mouthful of tiny bones

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 30, 2021 at 5:34 am

      Hi Matt,
      I'm sorry this didn't work for you. This recipe calls for fish fillets, which typically means the flesh is removed from the skin and bones.
      Kathy

      Reply
      • Paul says

        July 28, 2021 at 10:50 am

        What a kind reply. I wonder if this family also ate the fish scales. I just caught a 30" walleye and and am looking forward to using this well-reviewed recipe!

      • Kathy says

        July 28, 2021 at 1:47 pm

        Thanks, Paul! And lucky you for catching such a great sized fish! That had to have been fun. We don't usually find them that big where we fish.
        Enjoy! 🙂

    • Bob says

      June 23, 2021 at 12:52 pm

      Wow! What happens if you eat chicken wings? Or a Banana?

      Reply
    • Capt. Michael says

      July 06, 2021 at 1:42 pm

      Well then your not much of a fisherman then ! lol If you had any clue when you were cleaning your walleye you know how to debone them when cleaning them. If I were your wife I would have well use your imagination ! lol.
      This recipe is GREAT use it all the time for walleye perch crappie, etc.

      Good fishing everyone !

      Reply
      • Kathy says

        July 07, 2021 at 12:30 pm

        Thanks, Capt. Mike! 🙂

  6. Carolyn says

    March 17, 2021 at 4:31 am

    5 stars
    A 5 star recipe! I used Panko bread crumbs and followed the recipe as written. It was a big hit and delicious. I am keeping this one for future fish dinners. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      March 17, 2021 at 4:45 am

      Thanks! Panko has such great texture - it works great with this fish! Thanks so much for your comment. I appreciate it!!! 🙂

      Reply
  7. helen pemble says

    February 19, 2021 at 12:52 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely the best and easiest way to prepare walleye fillets! We've lived in Minnesota for 50 years and tried many different walleye recipes including a variety of commercial mixes but this is the best of them all. We should have been preparing walleye this way starting years ago!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      February 19, 2021 at 1:16 pm

      Thanks, Helen! No need for a mix when you can do it all with just some simple ingredients! Thanks for leaving such a lovely comment! 🙂
      Kathy

      Reply
  8. Nancy says

    December 28, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    Trying this tonight. Do I leave the skin on?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 28, 2020 at 2:05 pm

      Hi Nancy,
      We cook ours without the skin.
      Enjoy!

      Reply
  9. Kay says

    October 12, 2020 at 6:19 am

    The walleye was delicious. I have used this recipe for catfish too. Very favorable and easy to prepare. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 12, 2020 at 6:24 am

      Thanks, Kay! We've used this recipe on other fish as well. I don't usually cook catfish because it's not available, but I'll keep this in mind if I do ever get some!
      Thank you - Kathy 🙂

      Reply
  10. Marilee Griffin says

    August 12, 2020 at 10:00 am

    What kind of a skillet do you use? I have heard that cast iron is the best, but I have a glass topped stove.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 13, 2020 at 7:59 am

      Hi Marilee,
      I use a heavy duty stainless steel frying pan similar to this one - Frying Pan.

      Reply
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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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