Doritos crusted fish is our new favorite dinner, so easy and so crispy! We used nacho cheese chips, but any flavor will work. They give the fish a delicious crunchy crust that’s baked, not fried. (Don’t love fish? Do this with chicken!)
Doritos crusted fish is a family favorite meal in our house!
I just know it’s going to be one in yours too. How can you not love buttery tender tilapia baked up in a zesty and crunchy Nacho Doritos crust? Using Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips as a stand in for bread crumbs in this baked fish is utter genius. And it’s also utterly delicious. You’d never guess it was baked, not fried and all the flavor is built right in.
Doritos and other snack chips make ideal bread crumbs for baking
When you crush Doritos or other snack chips you get a crumb that is very close to panko bread crumbs, which are the extra crunchy Japanese style crumbs. Panko crumbs are lighter and flakier to begin with, and get their extra crisp texture from being twice baked. When you crush snack chips like Doritos, you get a very similar result, with the added bonus of tons of flavor!
5 simple steps to Doritos crusted fish night ~ yay!
step 1. Put Doritos chips into a food processor
A standard bag of chips will fit in a standard 14-cup processor.
step 2. Process them into crumbs
I like to pulse the machine occasionally to make sure all the chips get evenly crumbled.
step 3. Set up your breading stations
Wide shallow bowls work best to accommodate the fish fillets.
step 4. Dip and coat your fish in buttermilk, then crumbs
Use one hand for dipping and the other for coating in crumbs, that way you’ll stay (relatively) mess free.
step 5 . Bake until the fish is tender
It should flake easily with a fork, and register 145F in the center.
you’re going to flip for this recipe
- It’s super-duper easy.
- You get crazy crispy fish without frying ~ the oven (and the Doritos) do all the work.
- The Doritos not only give the fish an epic crunch, they give it epic flavor.
- No one, but no one, is going to turn up their nose at Doritos crusted fish.
serving suggestions for Doritos crusted fish
The flavor of the chips makes the fish memorable, and definitely the star of the dinner plate, so I go for simple sides here. I’ll do simple steamed veggies like snow peas, asparagus, green beans, or broccoli. Frozen peas are always perfect. A side salad is a fresh way to balance out the Doritos. If you want to go all in, create a fun fish and chips meal with frozen fries and coleslaw.
Use your fish to make tacos. Don’t forget the pickled onions and the salsa.
Drizzle your fish with a silky nacho cheese sauce, or serve with classic tartar sauce. All we needed was a squeeze of lemon.
Doritos crusted fish FAQs and tips
Mild white fish works best, so tilapia, cod, halibut, whitefish, etc. Shrimp would work too. Oily fish like swordfish, tuna, or salmon would not be ideal.
You’ll get about 2 cups from a standard 9 1/4 ounce bag. Enough to coat at least 6 fish fillets, or 6 chicken breasts.
Yes, put the chips in a sturdy zip lock bag and roll or bash them into crumbs. You may need to do it in batches to get fine, even results.
Yes you can, have fun experimenting. Have you checked out my Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Macaroni and Cheese? Just saying…
Yes, they’ll keep fine, just like the chips do.
Yes, set it at 400F, just like you would in the oven.
Yes, but it will be a little harder to dip and coat, and will take a little longer to cook.
I like to use cultured buttermilk because it’s got substance that really helps the crumbs to stick on. Milk will also work, but make sure to pat on those crumbs thickly. You can also make your own buttermilk substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to a cup of milk and letting it sit on the counter for 15 minutes. It won’t be thick, but it will approximate the acidity of buttermilk.
Well, the fish is ~ the coating isn’t. But it’s a fun once-in-a-while recipe that’s a great conversation starter, and a fabulous way to introduce picky eaters to fish.
we love seafood!
- Mediterranean Sheet Pan Salmon
- Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Orzo
- Creamy Lemon Dill Salmon
- Classic New England Fish Pie Recipe
- Easy Whitefish with Burst Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
- Smoked Trout Dip
- Sheet Pan Tuna Melts
Doritos Crusted Fish
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs fish fillets (I used tilapia) which was 4 fillets
- 9 1/4 ounce bag of Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips (or flavor of your choice)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- salt to taste
- lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F Line a baking sheet with parchment (optional.)
- Put the Doritos into a food processor and process the chips into crumbs. It helps to pulse the machine to get them evenly crushed.
- Put the Doritos crumbs in a wide shallow bowl, and the buttermilk into another.
- Dip each piece of fish into the buttermilk, and let the excess drip off.
- Dredge it in the crumbs, on both sides, patting them in well so the whole fish is well coated. Lay on the baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the fish. Note: discard any leftover crumbs, they cannot be re-used once you've dipped fish into them.
- Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the fish is done. It should flake easily with a fork, and register 145F in the center.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Strangely enough I find that the fish does need a touch of salt, despite being coated with Doritos. My husband disagrees, so add it to taste.
- The nutritional info reflects only the amounts of buttermilk and chip crumbs that will actually adhere to the fish. If you like you can start with less buttermilk and crumbs, but it makes it easier to coat the fish when you have a little extra in your bowls.
Nutrition
I am one of your biggest fans! I have tried, and loved, so many of your wonderful recipes. I would remove this recipe from your site however. Made this last night and felt it didn’t rise to your awesomeness. I LOVE Doritos, but this is a dud.
It’s so interesting Heather, because this is truly one of my faves! I love the crunchy/salty/cheesy the Dorito crumbs with the flakey fish ~ for me it’s a winner. But that’s what makes cooking so interesting, everyone has their own very individual taste! I’m glad I can still count you as a fan!!
I have teen boys and this will be a hit with them! Thanks for “cool, mom!” points!??
You’ll have so many points you won’t know what to do with them 😉
I’m all for this! Fish tacos tonight!
Yes! This would make the best tacos.
Doritos and fish?! This is a dream come true!
Totally 🙂
I am IN for anything with Doritos and this one is no exception! What an amazing idea!!!
Can’t wait to make this recipe.
This recipe is pure genius, that’s all I have to say. I will be coating everything in Doritos from now on.
haha, me too Cara 🙂
Do it!!
Fish is so yummy and baked makes it healthier too. Love the use of Nachos to give it that unique touch.