Crispy Fish Slider Treats

If you take the famous Filet-O-Fish and shrink it down to fun little sliders, you end up with an awesome bite-sized treat that's totally crowd-pleasing. Whenever I make these at home, they're always a hit—just as comforting as the fast food original, but with the bonus of having made them myself.

The first time I whipped these up was for a Friday night game, and nothing else got eaten as fast. Crispy fish, gooey cheese, tangy sauce—they just set the mood for fun and good vibes around the table.

Tasty Ingredients

• Butter: gives the buns a rich flavor once you toast them up
• Lemon juice: that bit of sour really pops in the tartar sauce
• Dried dill: adds a little herby taste to make the sauce shine
• Sweet relish: balances out the creamy stuff with crunch and zing
• Mayonnaise: the base for your homemade tartar sauce
• American cheese slices: melt nicely and keep things classic
• Slider buns: the perfect size so you can eat more than one without guilt
• Frozen breaded fish fillets: easy to use and always come out tasty

Easy Step-by-Steps

Serve While Warm:

Cut the connected buns apart and dig in when they're still hot for the best taste and texture.

Finish It Up:

Put the tops back onto each slider, press gently, and you're good to go.

Sauce the Fish:

Spoon on a nice layer of that homemade tartar sauce over every piece of fish. That's where the tang comes from.

Add the Fish:

Lay your hot, crispy fillets right on top of the cheese. Make sure each one gets a solid piece so every bite is just right.

Add the Cheese:

Put the cheese on the bottoms of the buns. The heat from the fish will help it melt like you want.

Slice Buns Open:

Take buns out, cut horizontally but keep the tops and bottoms attached. Set those tops aside for now.

Toast Those Buns:

Pop your buns on a pan, brush with melted butter, and warm in the oven a couple of minutes until they're just toasty and smell amazing.

Mix Up Tartar Sauce:

While your fish cooks, stir up mayo, relish, lemon juice, and dill in a bowl. Let the sauce chill in the fridge while you do the rest.

Fish in Oven:

Put breaded fillets on a baking sheet, cook as the package says. You want them golden and still juicy inside.

Heat Up Oven:

Set your oven to 350°F and cover two pans with parchment or foil for less mess. This is key for crispy fish that doesn't dry out.

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One thing my family craves here is the crunchy outside of the fish next to those soft buns. I started making these during Lent, searching for ways to get creative with fish. My picky nephew, who usually turns up his nose at seafood, scarfed down three and always asks for more now.

Prep Ahead

You can get your tartar sauce ready up to three days before you plan to eat—just stash it in a sealed container in the fridge. The flavors blend together and taste even better. When you're ready to build your sliders, take the sauce out about 15 minutes ahead so it loses that fridge chill.

Switch It Up

If you're aiming for a healthier route, skip the frozen fillets and bake your own with fish like cod or tilapia. Just coat them in breadcrumbs and bake until crispy. Swap in whole wheat slider buns for more goodness, and try Greek yogurt in the tartar sauce if you want a lighter, protein-boosted spread.

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Tasty Pairings

Serve these mini sandwiches with baked fries or sweet potato wedges if you're feeling indulgent. For something lighter, a simple coleslaw or green salad dressed with vinaigrette is perfect. In the summertime, wrap them up for easy picnic food. Want to add crunch? Toss in thin lettuce or some pickle chips before eating.

Fun Origins

Back in 1962, a McDonald's franchise owner in Cincinnati invented the Filet O Fish when he noticed folks in his mostly Catholic neighborhood skipped meat on Fridays during Lent. Now, this bite-sized version keeps all those original flavors and makes sharing easy at parties or game nights. These minis are popping up everywhere—shows just how much people love that fish-and-sauce combo!

Recipe FAQs

→ Could I make my own fish filets for this?

For sure! Homemade fish filets work great. Just make sure to bread and fry them so they're nice and crunchy before adding to the buns.

→ What's a good tartar sauce substitute?

If tartar isn't on hand, mix mayonnaise with a bit of lemon juice, or try garlic aioli for a fun twist.

→ Can sliders be prepped in advance?

It works best to put the sliders together when you're ready to eat, so the fish stays crispy and the buns warm. But you can prepare the fish and sauce ahead of time to save effort.

→ What's the best cheese option here?

American cheese is a classic because it's melty and mild, but feel free to try Swiss, cheddar, or pepper jack if you want more flavor variety.

→ Are there alternatives for slider buns?

Definitely—try dinner rolls, brioche, or small ciabatta rolls if you'd like to switch it up.