Cisco's Crispy Baked Fish Tacos
Golden, crispy baked cod tacos with a tangy cabbage slaw, channeling the spirit of fishing adventures and the Cisco Kid's charm. This mexican-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs (cut into 1-inch cubes) cod fillets, cornstarch, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (cut into 1-inch cubes) cod fillets
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 cup (shredded) purple cabbage
- 1/2 cup (shredded) carrot
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup (chopped) fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a shallow dish, combine 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Dip each cod cube in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush lightly with 1/4 cup vegetable oil.
- Step 3: Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through for even browning.
- Step 4: While fish bakes, combine 1 cup shredded purple cabbage, 1/2 cup shredded carrot, 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro in a bowl; toss to coat and let sit for 5 minutes to soften.
- Step 5: Warm tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side, then fill with crispy cod and 1/4 cup slaw for a flavorful, kid-approved taco experience.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cisco's Crispy Baked Fish Tacos take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cisco's Crispy Baked Fish Tacos?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cornstarch from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cisco's Crispy Baked Fish Tacos?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cisco's Crispy Baked Fish Tacos for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cisco's Crispy Baked Fish Tacos?
Mexican seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.