Fish Nuggets

Get ready to level up your seafood game with these homemade paleo fish nuggets and a ridiculously easy tartar sauce that'll make you question why frozen fish sticks even exist! This easy crispy coating uses ground flax which adds a nutty flavor, without the the expense or allergy risk of nut flour.

Paleo Cod Fish Recipe Ingredients

For the fish:

• White fish, like cod or rockfish (wild-caught)
• Lemon
• Salt and pepper
• Arrowroot powder
• Ground flax
• All-purpose salt-free seasoning blend
• Dried dill
• Egg
• Almond or coconut milk
• Heat-safe oil for frying (coconut or avocado)
• Lemon wedges, for serving

For the tartar sauce:

• Paleo-friendly mayonnaise
• Pickles, diced small
• Pickle juice
• Lemon juice
• Stone ground mustard (regular mustard is fine, too)
• Fresh parsley or chives, minced
• Salt, to taste

How to make Cod Fish Nuggets

1. Cut fish into 1 ½ inch chunks and place in a large bowl. Squeeze juice from the lemon over the fish and add a few generous pinches of salt and pepper (don't be shy). Toss it around with your hands until coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes up to 2 hours.
2. Combine the ingredients for the tartar sauce and chill in an air-tight container until ready to use.
3. In a shallow bowl or plate combine the arrowroot, flax, seasoning blend (I used the Kirkland brand 22-seasoning blend), dill, and a ½ teaspoon of salt.
4. In another shallow bowl or plate, beat the egg and the milk together with a fork.
5. Begin breading fish by dipping it first in the beaten egg mixture, letting the excess drip off, and then into the dry mixture. Set them on a large baking sheet while you continue breading.
6. Add enough oil to just barely cover the bottom of a large skillet. Bring to medium-high heat. Add several pieces of fish to the skillet and cook, turning once or twice, until the sides are golden brown and the fish is cooked through. If they begin to brown quickly or the oil starts to smoke, reduce the heat to medium. Transfer fish to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Continue to fry fish in batches. If you like, place the fish in the oven on the lowest temperature setting to keep them warm.
7. Serve fish with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.

Can I bake this cod fish nugget recipe?

Also, if you don't want to fry these fish nuggets, you can probably bake them. Frying things in a small amount of coconut oil is fantastic, though. It leaves them light, crispy, and not as greasy as when you use vegetable oil. Plus you don't have to worry about the formation of trans-fats or the oil oxidizing.

The kiddos ate these right up and they were even good warmed up in the oven the next day for lunch! I'm willing to bet they'd freeze well, too. The homemade tartar sauce keeps for a few days in the fridge, too.

Fish Nuggets Recipe tips

1. Make sure your oil is hot before adding the fish. This is an important step to ensure this all goes smoothly. If your oil is hot enough it means the chances of the fish sticking to the pan is slim. I use a stainless pan when I do this, too. The oil should “shimmer” which means you’ll be able to see little waves moving around. And if you flick a few drops of water into the oil it should pop and sizzle quite a bit.
2. Don’t move your fish too much. Resist the urge to play with it. Trust me. During those first few minutes, the crust is forming which will make it easier to flip.
3. Try to only flip it once or twice. The more you flip and move it around, the more breading might come off.

What to Serve with Paleo Fried Fish Nuggets

You can use these nuggets in my Fish Taco Bowls! They'd be great with that citrus crema and some Grilled Pineapple & Jalapeno Salsa -- and more like the breaded baja fish tacos. Mmm.

Click "print recipe" and add this to your meal plan next week! You could also pair this with some oven french fries for a fish and chips kind of meal!

Visit my Homemade Mayonnaise post on making some paleo-friendly mayonnaise! For use in this homemade tartar sauce I would substitute a neutral oil in place of the extra-virgin olive oil used in that post. Avocado oil or light olive oil would be better.

If you're kiddos like fish they might like these recipes, too!

How to store this Paleo Cod Fish Recipe

Kid-Friendly Fish & Seafood Recipes

California Roll Sushi Bowls -- These were our Sushi Bowl Sunday favorite for months! For some variations, check the #sushibowlsunday hashtag on Instagram!

Easy Paleo Pad Thai -- I get literal shouts for joy when I tell them I'm making this. Jumping up and down and everything.

Chile-Lime Fish Taco Bowls -- Our kids love customizing their own bowls. I've even used leftover fish nuggets to make this for myself for lunch. (With taco night leftovers. I totally nailed leftovers for lunch that day.)