I made this crispy vegan fish sandwich with hearts of palm and a little bit of nori for that ocean taste. I then battered it in a blend of cornmeal and panko for a crispy crunch. It’s your choice to air fry or bake them. Serve on toasted buns with homemade vegan tartar sauce for a hearty and delicious vegan seafood dish!
How to make this recipe
These vegan fish filets are easy to make. Once drained, I flattened the hearts of palm with the palm of your hand. I then slid a small piece of nori inside. This created a perfect, flaky fish-like taste and flavor. Once your filets are prepped, they can be battered in a seasoned blend of panko and cornmeal.
Can I bake or air-fry these filets?
It’s totally up to you! This recipe includes instructions for both methods. No need for deep-frying; although if you are looking for that, these crab cake sliders, crispy jackfruit or vegan shrimp will satisfy!
This crispy vegan fish sandwich is
- fun to make
- super crispy
- perfect to make with friends
- great for those with seafood allergies
- hearty and delicious
… and can be baked or air fried!
A note for those with allergies
For those with seafood allergies, vegan seafood is the solution! If you know someone with an allergy, suggest this recipe or other vegan seafood recipes using mushrooms, hearts of palm, soy curls, jackfruit and carrots! Depending on the recipe, it can easily be made soy-free, gluten-free or nut-free!
Or maybe you are a pescatarian and love seafood but are looking for ways to reduce your consumption or make the switch entirely. In either scenario, vegan seafood is really fun to try.
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Crispy Vegan Fish Sandwich
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 sandwiches or 2 servings of fish sticks
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This crispy vegan fish sandwich is made with hearts of palm and served with a homemade vegan tartar sauce. Bake it or air fry it … both give great results! This makes a hearty and delicious vegan seafood dish!
Ingredients
For the tartar sauce
- 1 cup vegan mayo
- 1/3 cup relish
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 medium shallot, finely minced
For the hearts of palm
- 1, 14 oz. can whole hearts of palm, drained
- 4–5 index finger-sized pieces of nori
- 2 TB Ener-G, whisked with ½ cup water in a medium-sized bowl until frothy
- 1 cup fine cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 2 cups panko, plus more if needed
- cooking spray
to serve (optional)
- hamburger buns
- 2–3 tablespoons vegan butter, for toasting the buns
- 1 cup mandolined cabbage (green or purple, or a mix)
- vegan American cheese slices
- ½ cup mandolined red onion, soaked in ice cold water for at least 20 minutes, then patted dry
Instructions
- To make the tartar sauce, combine all ingredients and set aside.
- With a flat palm, gently press down on each hearts of palm until it pops and flattens. Slide a piece of nori inside the split and repeat with the rest of the hearts of palm.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, garlic and onion powder, paprika and salt and pepper. Place the panko crumbs in a separate, medium-sized bowl.
- Press the hearts of palm into the cornmeal mixture, then into the Ener-G mixture, then back into the cornmeal mixture, back into the Ener-G mixture, then finish with coating evenly in the panko crumbs. (You could also probably try the VeganEgg here as well.) Give it another press with a flat palm to flatten again. Spray liberally all over with the cooking spray.
- Place into an air fryer set at 400. Air fry for 5 minutes, flip, coat again with cooking spray, and air fry the other side for 5 minutes more or until golden all over. Be sure to use plenty of cooking spray to allow it to crisp up and get a golden color and crunch.
- You can alternatively bake in a pre-heated, 425-degree oven. Bake for 10 minutes, flip, spray again, then bake for 7-10 minutes more, or until golden all over. Be sure to use plenty of cooking spray to allow it to crisp up and get a golden color and crunch.
- To toast the buns, melt half of the vegan butter in a cast iron pan over medium heat. Place the bottom buns into the pan until golden, and repeat the steps with the top buns.
- Assemble the sandwiches with desired toppings with the tartar sauce, or as fish sticks with the tartar sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Air Fried, Baked, Battered
- Cuisine: American
Constanze says
I never was a huge fan of fish but this I might try! It looks so good, Erin!
Netty M. says
This recipe did not disappoint! While the breading stage can be a little time consuming, it’s more than worth the effort! I baked mine in the oven and made “fish” tacos dressed with the tartar sauce, julienne cabbage, thinly sliced radish and a squeeze of lemon. The filets are super crispy, moist and flaky like fish, and the “fresh ocean catch” flavor the nori provides is just the right amount. Well balanced and delicious! Bravo, Erin!!!
erinwyso says
Netty, I’m so happy you enjoyed, thanks for your kind feedback!