Gluten Free Fish Recipes for Crispy, Comforting, and Classic Meals

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Gluten free fish recipes, when my husband was diagnosed with gluten intolerance, I knew I had to rethink the meals he loved most. Fried fish, gefilte fish from family holidays, and golden fish and chips had always been his comfort zone.
I wasn’t about to let gluten take those joys away.
So I went back to the kitchen with one goal: to bring those same comforting flavors back to his plate, just without the gluten.
If you’re in the same boat, looking for gluten free fish recipes that are delicious, nourishing, and deeply familiar, this article is for you. Let’s bring that joy back to your table.

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fish batter recipe gluten free

A crispy coating that says I love you

There’s something deeply comforting about the sound of a fork tapping through golden crisp fish batter. That first bite, crunchy outside, tender inside, brings back the simplest kind of joy. My husband used to light up whenever fried fish hit the table. So when he had to go gluten free, I was determined to bring that joy back, one bite at a time.

fish batter recipe gluten free Ingredients

• 1 cup white rice flour
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon gluten free baking powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold sparkling water (adjust as needed)
• 1 pound firm white fish fillets (cod or haddock work well)
• Vegetable oil for frying

fish batter recipe gluten free Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together rice flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt until combined.
2. Slowly add sparkling water while whisking, until you get a smooth, pourable batter that clings lightly to a spoon.
3. Heat oil in a deep skillet or heavy pot to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels. Dip each one into the batter and gently place into the hot oil.
5. Fry each piece for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Remove using tongs and drain on paper towels before serving hot.

Whether we serve it with a side of homemade slaw or a warm dish like recipe for gluten free beef stroganoff, it never fails to bring smiles. And for variety during game nights, we often add gluten free chicken tenders to the mix too.

gluten free gefilte fish recipe

A gentle tradition made safe with love

Some recipes carry more than flavor, they carry memories. For my husband, gefilte fish was one of those. It wasn’t just part of holiday dinners, it was a connection to his grandmother, her stories, and the gentle comfort of her kitchen.
When we needed to switch to gluten free, he thought he had to let it go. But I couldn’t let that happen. I wanted him to feel that same warmth again, without compromise.

gluten free gefilte fish recipe Ingredients

• 1 pound ground white fish (carp, cod, or pike)
• 1 pound ground onion
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup gluten free matzo meal or fine almond flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 onion, peeled and sliced
• 6 cups water

gluten free gefilte fish recipe Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine ground fish, onion, eggs, gluten free matzo meal (or almond flour), sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully incorporated.
2. Wet your hands and shape the mixture into smooth oval patties.
3. In a large stockpot, bring the water to a simmer. Add sliced carrots and onion.
4. Gently place the fish patties into the pot. Cover and simmer for 1 hour over low heat.
5. Carefully remove the fish and carrots. Let cool slightly before chilling.
6. Serve cold with carrots and horseradish if desired.

I sometimes serve it alongside our gluten free sweet and sour chicken recipe for contrast or with the gluten free chicken marsala recipe for a comforting, elegant meal.

gluten free fried fish recipe

The golden crunch he missed the most

The first time I made gluten free fried fish that actually made him close his eyes and smile, I cried a little. That’s what food does, it takes us back. He grew up on fried fish Fridays, often made by his mom with simple seasonings and that unmistakable golden crunch. Giving that back to him felt like giving him a piece of home.

gluten free fried fish recipe Ingredients

• 1 pound white fish fillets (tilapia, cod, or sole)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup almond flour or crushed gluten free crackers
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Oil for shallow frying

gluten free fried fish recipe Instructions

1. Set up a dredging station: one bowl with beaten eggs, one with almond flour mixed with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Dip each fish fillet into the egg, then into the flour mixture, pressing gently to coat evenly.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
4. Fry fish 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through.
5. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Serve hot with lemon wedges or homemade tartar sauce.

When I want to round it out into a full plate, I serve it with a cozy recipe for gluten free chicken pot pie or even pair it with a sweet twist like the gluten free orange chicken recipes he loves on busy weeknights.

gluten free fish and chips recipe

Friday night dinners made whole again

Fridays used to mean one thing in our home: fish and chips on the couch with a movie and no rules. It was our ritual after long weeks. When gluten had to go, this tradition nearly did too. But I couldn’t let it.
So I went back to the basics, tweaking and tasting until the fries were crispy and the fish was light and flaky inside that golden crust we both missed so much.

gluten free fish and chips recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for the fish

• 1 pound cod or haddock fillets
• 1 cup white rice flour
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (gluten free)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold soda water or sparkling water
• Oil for frying

Ingredients for the chips

• 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into thick fries
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

gluten free fish and chips recipe Instructions

Instructions to make the chips:

1. Rinse the cut potatoes in cold water, then soak them for 30 minutes.
2. Drain and pat dry thoroughly.
3. Heat oil to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry the chips for 3 to 4 minutes, then remove and set aside.
4. Increase oil temperature to 375 degrees. Return fries and cook again until golden and crisp. Sprinkle with salt.

Instructions to make the fish:

1. Whisk together rice flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Add sparkling water gradually until the batter is smooth.
2. Dip fish fillets into the batter and gently lower into hot oil.
3. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately with chips.

A squeeze of lemon, a cozy blanket, and something familiar on the screen, that’s how we say we made it through another week, together.

This recipe brought our Fridays back. Now it’s become a favorite we share with friends, often alongside my turkey meatballs gluten free recipe for the kids, or as a cozy duo with gluten free chicken alfredo recipe on chilly nights.

Conclusion

Cooking gluten free isn’t just about removing something, it’s about giving something back. For me, each one of these recipes is a small thank you to the man who has always supported me, no matter what.
Whether it’s the crackle of fried fish or the gentle sweetness of gefilte, these meals bring back the comfort we thought we had lost.

So if you’re cooking for someone you love, know this: it doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. These gluten free fish recipes were born out of love, patience, and a promise to keep the joy in every bite.

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