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Crispy Carl’s Jr fish sandwich with golden fried fillet, cheese, lettuce and tartar sauce
Vicky Sharma

Easy Carl’s Jr Fish Sandwich Recipe

A crispy, golden Carl’s Jr fish sandwich recipe made at home with flaky fish, crunchy batter, and creamy tartar sauce, better than takeout and easy to follow.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For Fish Fillet
  • 2 white fish fillets cod or pollock
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup cold sparkling water
  • Oil for frying (vegetable or canola
For Sandwich Assembly
  • 2 hamburger buns
  • 2 slices of American cheese
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 6 –8 pickle slices
For Tartar Sauce
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp chopped pickles or relish
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Deep frying pan or pot
  • Cooking thermometer
  • Tongs
  • Wire rack

Method
 

Step 1: Make Tartar Sauce
  1. In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, chopped pickles, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
    Homemade tartar sauce is being mixed in a bowl for a fish sandwich recipe
Step 2: Prepare Batter
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in cold sparkling water until smooth.
Step 3: Heat Oil
  1. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
Step 4: Fry Fish
  1. Dip fish fillets into batter and carefully place them into hot oil. Fry for 4–5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove and place on a wire rack.
Step 5: Toast Buns
  1. Lightly toast hamburger buns in a pan or oven.
    Toasting hamburger buns for a crispy fish sandwich
Step 6: Assemble Sandwich
  1. Spread tartar sauce on the bottom bun. Add crispy fish, cheese slice, lettuce, and pickles. Cover with top bun and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use cold batter for extra crispiness.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan while frying
  • Always maintain oil temperature at 350°F
  • Use a wire rack instead of paper towels
Recipe Notes - This recipe was created after multiple test batches to recreate the exact crispy texture of a fast-food fish sandwich, but with fresher ingredients and better flavor balance.