Doritos-crusted baked fish is the kind of easy dinner that makes everybody happy ~ crispy, crunchy, and baked, not fried. We used classic nacho cheese chips, but any flavor works, and the chips do all the seasoning for you. Not a fish person? Try the same crispy crust on chicken.
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter your email below & we'll send the link to your inbox. Plus be first to see brand new recipes!
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.
This is a fun way to get more fish into your dinner rotation!
Why use Doritos to coat baked fish?
- FOR THE CRUNCH! 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.
- FOR THE FLAVOR: The flavor is built right in, saving you an extra step.
5 steps to Doritos crusted fish
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. That’s it ~ you get crazy crispy fish without frying ~ the oven (and the Doritos) do all the work.
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 or a quick 30-second remoulade 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.
Add The View from Great Island as a Trusted Google Source
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
we love seafood!
Shrimp Piccata
This simple meal of shrimp in a lemony caper piccata sauce is a deliciously no fuss recipe with plenty of vibrant flavor.
Smoked Cheddar Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp and Grits with amped up flavor and an easy oven baked method for the grits!
Greek Shrimp Packets with Orzo
Greek Shrimp Packets with Orzo are an easy oven-baked Mediterranean dinner ~ shrimp cook perfectly in parchment with orzo, tomatoes, olives, red onion, herbs, and feta, creating a bright lemony sauce with almost no cleanup.
Classic New England Fish Pie Recipe
My Classic New England Fish Pie Recipe has a base of fish, leeks, parsnips and peas in a creamy white sauce, topped with a cheddar-y horseradish and buttermilk mash ~ it's hands down the most comforting meal I've had all year.
Easy Fish Stock Recipe
A quick and easy homemade fish stock recipe for fish soups, chowders, fish pies and stews. The flavor is delicate, fresh, and so much better than anything you can buy.
Sicilian Baked Fish
Experience the sunny flavors of Southern Italy with this lemony baked halibut topped with a fresh Mediterranean salsa! It's ready in 30 minutes!
2