I never thought I could make fish and chips at home that actually tasted crispy without a deep fryer. My grandmother always said that good kosher cooking means working with what you have, and since we keep kosher, the traditional pub version loaded with lard just wasn’t happening in my kitchen. But after years of trying different techniques, I figured out how to get that golden crunch using just your oven.
The key is using two different coatings and getting the temperature just right. I coat the fish in seasoned flour first, then dip it in beaten eggs, and finally roll it in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and crushed cornflakes. Yes, cornflakes. They add an extra layer of crunch that regular breadcrumbs just can’t match. For the chips, I cut russet potatoes into thick wedges and toss them with a bit of oil and coarse kosher salt before roasting them alongside the fish.
Getting That Perfect Crispy Coating
This method gives you crispy fish without all the oil mess and splatter of frying. The timing works perfectly too – both the fish and chips finish cooking at about the same time when you start the potatoes first. I use cod or haddock because they hold up well to baking and have that mild, flaky texture you want in fish and chips.
Why This Baked Method Works Better
Serve this with malt vinegar and tartar sauce for the full experience. It’s perfect for a casual Friday night dinner or when you want something comforting but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. The kids love it, and honestly, so do the adults.

Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Pat the fish fillets completely dry with paper towels. This is crucial for getting the coating to stick properly.
- Set up your breading station with three shallow dishes: flour mixed with salt, pepper, and paprika in the first; beaten eggs in the second; panko breadcrumbs mixed with crushed cornflakes in the third.
- Cut the potatoes into wedges about 1/2 inch thick. Rinse them in cold water and pat completely dry.
- Toss the potato wedges with 3 tablespoons oil, coarse salt, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
- Arrange the wedges on one baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap.
- Bake for 15 minutes before adding the fish to the oven.
- While the potatoes are baking, coat each fish fillet first in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip into the beaten eggs, letting excess drip off.
- Press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides completely.
- Place the coated fish on the second baking sheet. Drizzle the 3 tablespoons of oil evenly over the fish pieces.
- After the potatoes have baked for 15 minutes, flip them over and put the fish in the oven on the second rack.
- Bake both for another 12-15 minutes, until the fish flakes easily and the coating is golden brown.
- The potatoes should be crispy outside and fluffy inside. If they need more time, continue baking while the fish rests.
- Let the fish rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to keep the coating crispy.
