Easy Fish Cakes Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Lauren Matheson ·

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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 58 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 get fish cakes to stick together? ›

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. At minimum, you'll want to use one egg for every pound or so of fish so that you have enough “glue.” More is fine, though.

How do you keep homemade fish cakes from falling apart? ›

How do you keep fish cakes from falling apart?
  1. Use forks to flake your leftover fish into small pieces (smaller flakes hold together better when forming the cakes).
  2. Have a clean plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper ready before you form your fish cakes.
Oct 29, 2022

How are fish cakes made? ›

Fish cakes are made from ground fish and flour or starch that is formed into small loafs and then steamed or fried. Fish cakes are used in a variety of Japanese dishes such as soups and stews, appetizers and boxed lunches. In the olden days, this fish cake was formed around bamboo (chiku) skewers and cooked.

What is the 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.

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

How do you know when fish cakes are done? ›

Fry, adjusting the heat as needed, until one side of the cakes is golden brown, about 4 minutes. Turn and brown the other side. Peek into one of the cakes to be sure it's cooked through and then keep the batch warm in the oven while you fry the rest.

Why are my fish cakes rubbery? ›

Most version include egg which is used as a binder. In this recipe, you have that option but personally I prefer the texture without the egg. Adding egg gives the Thai fish cakes a rubbery texture which some people like.

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.

Why do my fish patties fall apart? ›

If you add too much egg, for instance, or the canned fish isn't properly drained, the mixture will be too wet and the cakes will fall apart. Too many breadcrumbs, on the other hand, will make your cakes dry and crumbly.

Why do fish cakes fall apart when cooked? ›

If you add too much egg, for instance, or the canned fish isn't properly drained, the mixture will be too wet and the cakes will fall apart. Too many breadcrumbs, on the other hand, will make your cakes dry and crumbly.

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 are the components of fish cake? ›

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.

What is the swirl 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 balls the same as fish cakes? ›

Fish balls are balls made of macerated fish meat. For example: fish balls with tung hoon soup. Fish cakes are macerated fish meat made into chunky chunks. They may add condiment to input extra taste.

Why are my fish cakes falling 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 can I use to stick two cakes together? ›

Before You Start Filling & Stacking

Then, place a small dab of buttercream onto the cake circle before adding the first cake layer on top. The little swipe of buttercream acts as “glue” to keep the bottom layer in place.

How do you keep salmon patties from falling apart? ›

4) Don't flip them too soon: When frying the salmon patties, wait until they're browned and crispy on the first side before flipping them. This will ensure that they hold together and don't fall apart.

How do you keep tuna patties from falling apart? ›

To fix the problem, you just need to add a little extra raw protein, and the easiest place to get a protein fix is from an egg. Adding an egg to a batch of tuna patties is a little extra insurance that things will stay together, especially if you tend to measure your other ingredients by eyeballing them.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Emmett Berge

Last Updated:

Views: 5796

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Emmett Berge

Birthday: 1993-06-17

Address: 787 Elvis Divide, Port Brice, OH 24507-6802

Phone: +9779049645255

Job: Senior Healthcare Specialist

Hobby: Cycling, Model building, Kitesurfing, Origami, Lapidary, Dance, Basketball

Introduction: My name is Sen. Emmett Berge, I am a funny, vast, charming, courageous, enthusiastic, jolly, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.