Crispy Pan-Fried Fish Tacos with Quick Pickled Carrot Radish Slaw

There’s something irresistible about a crispy fish taco—the contrast of a crunchy, golden-brown crust against a soft tortilla, topped with a bright, tangy slaw. While deep-frying can be intimidating, this recipe uses a simple pan-frying technique that delivers that same satisfying crunch without the need for a deep fryer. The secret is a light, airy batter made with cornstarch and baking powder, which creates a delicate, crispy coating on the fish.

To balance the richness, we’ve added a quick-pickled slaw of shaved carrots and sliced radishes, tossed with fresh lime juice and a pinch of sugar. A dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro tie everything together. These tacos are perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels like a treat.

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Ingredients

3 unit RadishesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LimeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit CarrotsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup FlourView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon CornstarchView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Baking PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

11 ounce TilapiaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Blackening SpiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 unit Flour TortillaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Vegetable OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry all produce. Thinly slice radishes. Tear cilantro leaves from stems; discard stems. Halve lime, then cut one half into wedges. Peel carrot. Using a vegetable peeler, shave carrot lengthwise into long ribbons, rotating as necessary. Discard carrot core once it becomes too thin to shave.
2. In a medium bowl, toss carrot, radishes, ¼ teaspoon sugar, and juice of half a lime. Season with salt and pepper and set aside to pickle.
3. In another medium bowl, mix ¼ cup flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Whisk in 6 tablespoons water until smooth. The batter should be runny but slightly thick, like paint. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Pat tilapia dry with a paper towel, then cut into 6 evenly sized pieces. Season all over with salt, pepper, and blackening spice.
5. Heat a thin layer of oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat (about 2 tablespoons). Once oil is very hot, dip a piece of tilapia in batter, coating all over and letting excess drip off. Add to pan; repeat with remaining fish. Cook until crisp and golden brown, 3–4 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and season with salt.
6. While fish cooks, wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave on high until warm, about 30 seconds. Alternatively, wrap in foil and warm in a 400°F oven for 5 minutes. Spread tortillas with sour cream. Top with tilapia (breaking into pieces to fit), pickled vegetables, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Cutting board

Astercook Deep-Carbonized Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen with Wood Storage Stand, Reversible Charcuterie & Chopping Boards with Juice Grooves and Easy-Grip Handles, Fathers Day Gift for MenView on AmazonZeawec 3-Piece Set Bamboo Cutting Board for Kitchen - Crack-Resistant Wood Chopping Boards with Deep Juice Grooves, Pre-Oiled Butcher Block for Meat, Vegetables & Cheese, CarbonizedView on AmazonTitanium Cutting Board for Kitchen, Cutting Board Double Sided Food Grade, Pure Titanium/PP, Easy to Clean Large Size 15”×10.3”View on Amazon

Vegetable peeler

Spring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler, Soft Grip Handle and Ultra Sharp Stainless Steel Blades - Perfect Kitchen Peeler For Veggie, Fruit, Potato, Carrot, Apple - BlackView on AmazonOXO Good Grips Swivel PeelerView on AmazonZulay Kitchen Premium Vegetable Peeler for Kitchen - Swivel Peeler with Razor Sharp Stainless Steel Blades & Strong Ergonomic Handle - Dishwasher Safe, Easy To Use with Blemish Remover - BlackView on Amazon

Mixing bowls

Umite Chef Mixing Bowls with Airtight Lids Set, 8PCS Stainless Steel Nesting Bowls with Grater Attachments, Non-Slip Bottoms, 5, 4, 3.5, 2, 1.5QT for Mixing & ServingView on AmazonThickened Heavy-Duty 26pcs Stainless Steel Bowl, Mixing Bowl Set with Lid, Grater Attachment, Non-Slip Bottom and Kitchen Gadget Set, Sizes 7, 4, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1QT, Ideal for Mixing and ServingView on AmazonWHYSKO Meal Prep Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl (5-Piece Set) Home, Refrigerator, and Kitchen Food Storage Organizers | Ecofriendly, Heavy Duty, No LidsView on Amazon

Paper towels

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on Amazon

Large nonstick pan

Tramontina Professional 14-Inch Non Stick Extra Large Frying Pan, Heavy-Gauge Aluminum Skillet with Reinforced Nonstick Coating, Red Handle, Dishwasher and Oven SafeView on AmazonSENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on Amazon

Spatula

ChefAide 5 Pieces Silicone Spatula Set, Food Grade Rubber Spatula, Upgrade Strong Handle with Ergonomic Grip, Heat Resistant Up to 600°F for Nonstick Cookware, CookingView on AmazonCoukre 2 Pack Silicone Spatula Set, High Heat Resistant, BPA Free Kitchen Spatula, Solid & Slotted Turner for Non-Stick Pans, Sautéing, and Flipping (2, PureBlack)View on AmazonKLAQQED 3Pcs Silicone Spatula Set Heat Resistant Spatulas for Nonstick Cookware Fish Turner Plastic Spatulas Rubber Wok Spatula, Long Large Spatula Silicone Cooking Use Kitchen Utensils SetView on Amazon

Microwave or oven (for warming tortillas)

AmazonShop popular Microwave or oven (for warming tortillas) on AmazonView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of fish?

Yes, any firm white fish like cod, haddock, or pollock works well. Adjust cooking time based on thickness.

How do I keep the fish crispy?

Serve immediately after cooking. If you need to hold them, place on a wire rack in a warm oven (200°F) to keep the crust from getting soggy.

Can I make the slaw ahead of time?

Absolutely! The pickled slaw can be made up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Drain excess liquid before serving.