Common food
A golden, crispy-fried fish fillet, often made from mild white fish like cod or pollock, is a staple sandwich ingredient. It offers a satisfying crunch on the outside with a tender, flaky interior. Nutritionally, it provides a solid protein boost with a moderate amount of fat from the frying process.
Calorie split: 37% protein · 17% carbs · 46% fat
↓ Full nutritionPeople love the satisfying textural contrast of crispy batter and soft fish, which makes it a universally appealing sandwich filler. Its mild flavor acts as a perfect canvas for bold sauces and toppings, fitting into countless culinary traditions from fast food to gourmet bistros.
The frying process adds significant calories and fat compared to baked or grilled fish, which may be a concern for those monitoring fat intake. To counteract this, pair it with fiber-rich vegetables like lettuce, tomato, or coleslaw in the sandwich, and opt for a smaller portion size as part of a balanced meal.
The iconic McDonald's Filet-O-Fish sandwich was invented in 1962 by a franchise owner in Cincinnati to appeal to Catholic customers who abstained from meat on Fridays during Lent.
| Water | 63.1 g |
| Energy | 195 kcal |
| Protein | 18.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 10.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 8.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.30 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.14 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 22.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.80 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 25.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 250 mg |
| Potassium, K | 312 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 240 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.44 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.04 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 28.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.12 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.11 mg |
| Niacin | 4.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.27 mg |
| Folate, total | 28.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 14.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 14.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 38.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 71.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.7 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 17.0 ug |
| Retinol | 17.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 7.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.50 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 14.7 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.2 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.90 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 2.2 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.0 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.9 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.9 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.17 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.09 g |
| Cholesterol | 60.0 mg |
Estimated from DENNY'S, fish fillet, battered or breaded, fried — USDA does not publish this profile for Fish fillet.
| Tryptophan | 0.15 g |
| Threonine | 0.47 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.57 g |
| Leucine | 1.1 g |
| Lysine | 1.2 g |
| Methionine | 0.38 g |
| Cystine | 0.19 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.50 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.42 g |
| Valine | 0.66 g |
| Arginine | 0.81 g |
| Histidine | 0.31 g |
| Alanine | 0.73 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.1 g |
| Glycine | 0.61 g |
| Proline | 0.76 g |
| Serine | 0.58 g |
Is fried fish fillet healthy?
It's a good source of protein and omega-3s, but frying adds extra fat and calories. Healthier preparation methods like baking or air-frying can reduce the fat content significantly.
What fish is typically used?
Mild white fish with a firm texture is standard, such as cod, pollock, haddock, or tilapia. These varieties hold up well to frying and have a neutral flavor that pairs with many ingredients.
How do I keep the coating crispy in a sandwich?
Place a barrier like lettuce or a thin layer of sauce on the bread first to absorb moisture. Assembling the sandwich just before eating also helps maintain the crunch.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.77 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.