Fried walleye is a must-try Minnesota classic food! Friday fish fries are held throughout the state all summer long and walleye is the headliner. Whether you enjoy it on a sandwich slathered in tartar sauce or eaten solo, it’s a delicious meal. Served with butter and lemon, it is so delicious.
Original post: April 2012 | Updated: March 2022
Why This Recipe Works
It is not quite fishing season here in the land of 10,000 lakes, but it is on the horizon! One of the tastiest and most common types of fish to eat in Minnesota is walleye, our state fish.
Like any fish, it can be made in a number of ways, but a good pan fried walleye dinner is a must-eat for anybody visiting the state or wanting a little taste of Minnesota.
This fish recipe was passed down from family, so it is tried and true!
Recipe Ingredients
Ritz crackers – Ritz can be replaced with any variety of crackers or crumbs, but the more buttery the better. Other options include panko bread crumbs or crushed saltine crackers. A flour mixture can be used, too. Combine flour (1 cup all purpose flour) along with 1 teaspoon salt and ground black pepper (each).
Canola oil – Replace canola with olive oil or vegetable oil, if desired.
Walleye fillets – cut the fillets into 2-inch squares before cooking.
How To Make Fried Walleye
Step 1
In one small bowl or shallow baking sheet, place 1 sleeve of finely crushed Ritz crackers.
In another small bowl, beat 2 eggs using a fork.
Step 2
In a large skillet, heat 2 cups (give or take) of canola oil over medium-high heat. You will want at least a half inch of oil in the bottom of the skillet.
Step 3
Cut four fresh or defrosted 8-ounce walleye fillets into 2×2-inch squares. Roll the pieces of fish in the beaten egg mixture and then the cracker crumbs, completely coating them including all the edge patches.
In batches, quickly place the coated fish pieces into the skillet with the hot oil. This happens very quickly and you will want to make sure not to burn the fish.
Allow the fish to cook in the oil for approximately 15-20 seconds, or until the under side is golden brown and crispy but not black. Using a slotted metal spoon, flip the fish pieces over and cook for another 15 seconds.
Step 4
Remove the fried fish from the oil and place them onto paper towels. Pat well with more paper towels to eliminate excess grease.
Slice a few lemon wedges and squirt bit of fresh lemon juice over the fish and serve! Your fish fillets should flake easily and be tender and delicious!
Recipe Notes
- You will want the oil to be very hot. Hot and quick is the key to getting a good result with this fish.
- Bread crumbs work as well as crushed crackers.
- Consider adding garlic powder to the cracker mixture for a boost in flavor.
- Spice up the fish by adding up to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the breading.
- If you don’t keep tartar sauce on hand, then go homemade! It’s super easy.
- Top with chopped fresh parsley other fresh herbs of your choice and a squirt of lemon or lime juice for a delicious finishing touch.
- Add 1 cup of beer to the egg mixture to create a smooth beer batter fried fish.
Quick Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe
Create your very own batch of quick and easy tartar sauce at home by mixing together:
- 1/2 cup mayo or miracle whip
- 1/8 cup dill pickle relish or chopped dill pickles
- If you want to get fancy, sprinkle in 1/2 tsp dill weed – it really makes a perfect finishing touch!
What To Serve With Walleye – 13 delicious ideas!
This juicy flaky fish is delicious when cooked in a variety of ways but once it’s ready to eat, what pairs well with it? Read on for 13 delicious ideas about what to serve with walleye, whether you’re making walleye tacos or enjoying it as a solo dish.
What To Serve With Fish
Other varieties of fish pair well with so many other types of food, which is one of the reasons I love it so much. Here are a few ideas about what to serve with fish!
- Tortillas – Flour or corn tortillas are the perfect food to serve with fish. Stuff the tortillas and add cheese and other toppings as desired!
- Rice – Rice is a perfect side dish to go alongside any type of fish. White, brown and wild are all perfect options.
- Potatoes – Potatoes are extremely versatile, making them a delicious side dish option, as well. French fries, hashbrown casserole, mashed potatoes, potato chips and roasted potatoes would all pair perfectly!
- Coleslaw – A heaping spoonful of fresh coleslaw alongside your next fish dinner will taste great!
- Vegetables – Just about any veggie on the planet accompanies fish perfectly. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots, and peas are delicious choices.
- Salad – A fresh, leafy green salad tastes great after a bite of salmon or cod. Or think outside the salad box and make an edamame corn salad instead!
FAQ About Walleye
If you’re not from the Northern parts of the US, the Midwest or Canada, you probably don’t know what all the fuss is about walleye. It is a white fish that is very mild in flavor. It is delicious to eat and elusive when you’re out on the boat in a fresh-water lake.
If you don’t have walleye on hand, any mild, white fish will do in this recipe, such as grouper, pollock, cod, bass, tilapia or halibut.
June and July are the best months to fish for walleye and high noon is the perfect time of day to find them.
Check out this super delicious roundup of side dish recipes: what to serve with fish! There will certainly be a few options on the list that will be perfect for today’s meal.
Related Recipes
Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!
Easy Fried Walleye Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers finely crushed
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 cups canola oil
- 32 oz walleye fillets 3 fillets – cut into 2×2 inch squares
- fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Place the Ritz cracker crumbs in a shallow bowl or dish, and put the beaten egg in a separate small bowl.
- In a large skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. While the oil is heating, coat each piece of fish with the beaten egg. Roll the egg-coated fish chunks in the cracker crumbs, completely coating them.
- In batches, place the coated pieces of walleye into the hot oil. Let cook for 15 seconds, or until the bottom side of the fish is crispy but not black. Using a metal slotted spoon, flip the fish chunks over and cook for an additional 15 seconds, or until crispy.
- Remove fish from the oil and place on paper towels. Repeat with remaining fish. Squirt fresh lemon juice over the fish and serve warm.
Notes
- You will want the oil to be very hot. Hot and quick is the key to getting a good result with this fish.
- Bread crumbs work as well as crushed crackers.
- If you don’t keep tartar sauce on hand, then go homemade! It’s super easy.
- 1/2 cup mayo or miracle whip
- 1/8 cup dill pickle relish or chopped dill pickles
- If you want to get fancy, sprinkle in 1/2 tsp dill weed – it really makes a perfect finishing touch!
I live in Indiana, where Walleye also live. However we got ours from the fish monger, instead…not the best at fishing. Followed the recipe to a T. Usually I use a traditional cornmeal breading, but this was a nice change of pace. I’d only suggest seasoning the fish before coating with at least a light sprinkling of salt, maybe black pepper all up to the cook. Thank you.
Thank you Derrick! Loved your suggestion.
This sounds yummy I live in Washington we have nice walleye this is my first time to try to post. Try chicken in a biscuit crackers and only use the egg white the yolk has a distinct flavor hope you love it
I love chicken in a biscuit crackers – great suggestion, Raymond! Thanks for the tip!
You’re totally making me miss my Wisconsin home, and my favorite fish, Walleye!
Sweeeeeet!~ I just found your blog. We were in MN (natives of Northern MN). We're totally excited AND making walleye we caught with my dad last week there. We'll be back to creep your site. Stop by ours sometime. 😉 Thanks for the great recipe. Can't wait to have our fish tonight.
earth2body sister: Lisa
http://earth2body.net/
Love this recipe! When we catch walleye at our cabin in northern MN, we coat it in crushed cornflakes, flour, and egg wash. Then we deep fry in batches. Your method looks very easy!
Looks amazing! We live in MN as well and have a bunch of fresh caught walleye to eat up! Now I know how I'll be preparing it – thanks!
We live up north in Minnesota too! And we cook our fish pretty much the same way, but we add a coat of "Shore Lunch" before the egg. It adds just a bit of something extra! Saltines also work great instead of the Ritz crackers. We also like to add a touch of Lawry's to the crackers, can never have enough salt!!!