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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
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 method, 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.
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 and Trout Almondine.

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!

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Crispy fish fillets topped with lemon wedges.

Pan Fried Walleye

Kathy
Crispy pan fried fish fillets
5 from 233 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
  • 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
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kc says

    July 24, 2022 at 7:49 am

    Has anyone tried to deep fry with this recipe?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      July 25, 2022 at 7:26 am

      I have not tried deep frying this recipe.

      Reply
  2. Char Rod says

    April 13, 2022 at 5:41 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! The only change I made was to add garlic powder. This is a keeper!!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 14, 2022 at 10:50 am

      Thank you!!! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Karen says

    December 04, 2021 at 5:03 pm

    4 stars
    This was very good. A hit with the family.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 04, 2021 at 6:47 pm

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Vivian says

    December 03, 2021 at 10:13 am

    Can I prepare the fish in the coating, keep it in the fridge and cook it later in the day?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 03, 2021 at 10:52 am

      Hi Vivian,
      I have not tried this before, but I'm afraid the coating will become gummy. If you're trying to save time, I think I'd have the fillets ready to go and cover in the refrigerator. Mix the flour and bread crumbs together with seasonings and cover and leave at room temperature. At dinnertime, beat the eggs and the quickly dip the fillets. It will save you a few minutes.
      Let me know if that works for you!
      Kathy 🙂

      Reply
      • Vivian says

        December 03, 2021 at 11:20 am

        5 stars
        Thanks Kathy, you’re the best

      • Kathy says

        December 03, 2021 at 11:57 am

        🙂

  5. Tamara says

    November 18, 2021 at 1:31 pm

    5 stars
    We just had this for an early dinner and it was very tasty. I learned something new from you and it is to combine the flour with the breadcrumbs inside of using three separate dishes. The crust stays put your way and I will never go back to the old way. Thank you for a great and easy recipe.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      November 18, 2021 at 2:00 pm

      Thanks, Tamara! So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply
      • Dorothy says

        March 02, 2022 at 2:33 pm

        5 stars
        Delicious! fast and easy and will be making again. I didn't have any onion powder, so sliced up some thin onions and cooked with fish,it was really good!!

      • Kathy says

        March 03, 2022 at 3:07 pm

        Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

    • Mimi10525 says

      April 23, 2022 at 3:48 pm

      5 stars
      Tried this tonight with fresh Walleye. Both my husband and I thought it was great! So crispy and flaky. Will be my new “go to” recipe for fish and maybe chicken.

      Reply
      • Kathy says

        April 23, 2022 at 6:17 pm

        Thanks so much! I appreciate you letting me know and I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
        Kathy 🙂

  6. Martha D says

    November 17, 2021 at 6:39 am

    5 stars
    This was fantastic! Crunchy and delicious and easy. Definitely a hubby pleaser!!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      November 17, 2021 at 6:46 am

      Thanks! Glad he enjoyed it!!! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Karen says

    October 30, 2021 at 4:56 am

    Hi, this looks interesting. I have walleye in the freezer but it has skin on. Would this method work or should I try and remove the skin first?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 30, 2021 at 6:49 am

      Hi Karen,
      I think you could cook with the skin on. Start by cooking with the skin side down and cook till really crispy and then flip to cook the meat side.
      Enjoy,
      Kathy 🙂

      Reply
    • Dell says

      November 14, 2021 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      Walleye is not a skin down fish - The taste is too delicate, it will become chewy if overcooked.

      This is not a Striped Bass - Walleye is more finicky.

      Skin the fillet - and - make sure the silvering is not on the fillet.. A little bit can taint the flavor to bitter.

      Coat in Plancko, or, crushed (pulverized) saltine crackers, and, cooked in a skillet of lard for the lightest, flaky, coating.

      A squeeze of Lemon and a dash of salt is all you need if you want to actually taste Walleye.

      Reply
      • Kathy says

        November 15, 2021 at 3:01 pm

        Thanks for your tips!

    • Martha D says

      November 17, 2021 at 6:41 am

      Remove skin….

      Reply
    • Dorothy says

      March 02, 2022 at 2:48 pm

      5 stars
      I used skin on and it was great. Do skin down first and do not turn it until skin is crispy

      Reply
      • Kathy says

        March 03, 2022 at 3:07 pm

        Thanks so much for your tips! 🙂

  8. Jenn says

    October 22, 2021 at 4:34 pm

    Is the 250° Fahrenheit or Celsius?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      October 22, 2021 at 5:07 pm

      Fahrenheit. It's just to keep the fish warm while you are finishing the rest of the batch.

      Reply
  9. Tanya Lemma says

    September 26, 2021 at 4:50 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! A friend brought us fresh/frozen Walleye and we thoroughly enjoyed it. So easy!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 27, 2021 at 6:40 am

      Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Ruthie says

    September 10, 2021 at 3:02 pm

    5 stars
    I have made this twice for my husband. He loved it. This was the best and very easy way to cook fish. I use to cook at a catfish restaurant for years, and wish I had known about this recipe, back then.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      September 10, 2021 at 3:27 pm

      Thank you!!! So glad you and your husband both love it! I haven't tired this recipe with catfish, but I think it would be great!!! Thanks for your comment 🙂
      Kathy

      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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