Copycat Burger King Fish Sandwich (Big Fish)

Crispy panko-breaded pollock, sweet tartar sauce, pickles, and shredded lettuce on a toasted potato bun — the Big Fish you love from the drive-thru, made fresh at home in under 20 minutes (and honestly, a little better).

I have a confession: the Burger King fish sandwich is my secret drive-thru order. Not the Whopper, not the nuggets — the Big Fish. There’s something about that crispy fillet and the almost dessert-sweet tartar sauce that I think about more than I’d like to admit.

But here’s the thing. The last few times I grabbed one, I noticed it cost almost eight bucks, and by the time I got home half the crunch had steamed away inside the wrapper. So I started making my own. After a handful of tries, my family now genuinely prefers this homemade version — it’s crispier, it has more actual fish flavor, and it skips that heavy fast-food-oil aftertaste. It also costs a fraction of the drive-thru price.

If you’ve ever wondered “does Burger King even have a fish sandwich?” — yes, the Big Fish has been around (under various names) since 1975. And if you’ve wondered how to make one at home, you’re in exactly the right place. Let’s get into it.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Big Fish

• Crispier than the original. No wrapper, no steam — the panko stays shatteringly crisp.
• Ready in under 20 minutes. Frozen breaded fillets do the heavy lifting, so this is a true weeknight meal.
• Way cheaper. A real Big Fish runs about $6.39–$7.89 each right now. You can make four at home for less than the price of two.
• Totally customizable. Add cheese, make it spicy, pile on extra pickles — your kitchen, your rules.
• No fryer required. Oven or air fryer, both work beautifully.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Just five simple things (plus a little butter). Here’s what each one does:

• Frozen breaded pollock fillets — Alaskan pollock is the exact fish Burger King uses, so look for panko-breaded pollock fillets. Gorton’s makes a great one. Breaded cod, haddock, or tilapia also work in a pinch.
• Potato buns — This is the BK secret most copycats miss. Burger King switched to a potato bun (older recipes still say brioche). Potato buns are soft, slightly sweet, and toast up perfectly. Brioche is a fine substitute.
• Sweet tartar sauce — BK’s tartar is noticeably sweet. A mayo-forward, sweeter tartar gets you closest. (Scroll down for a quick trick to sweeten regular tartar.)
• Dill pickle slices — A few thin slices for tang and crunch.
• Shredded iceberg lettuce — Iceberg, not romaine. You want that cool, watery crunch.
• Butter — Optional, but trust me, it’s the key to a bun that won’t go sog

How to Make a Copycat Burger King Fish Sandwich

Step 1: Cook the fillets until extra crispy. Pop the frozen fillets in the oven at 425°F (218°C) for 16–18 minutes, flipping at the 10-minute mark. Want that signature BK crunch? Give them 2–3 extra minutes. Air fryer folks: 400°F (200°C) for 9–13 minutes. Either way, cook to an internal temp of 165°F (74°C) — a cheap meat thermometer takes the guesswork out.

Step 2: Toast the buns. Do not skip this. Lightly butter the cut sides of your potato buns and broil them (cut side up) for 1–2 minutes until golden, or air-fry at 400°F for 2–3 minutes. I know it’s tempting to skip — don’t. The butter creates a little moisture barrier so the tartar sauce can’t turn your bun to mush. This is the single biggest difference between a sad soggy sandwich and a great one.

Step 3: Build it like Burger King does. Be generous with the tartar sauce — about 2 tablespoons per sandwich. BK does not hold back, and neither should you. Lay down the hot, crispy fillet, add a few pickle slices, then a small handful of shredded lettuce. Crown it with the top bun and eat it immediately, while it’s at peak crunch.

That’s it. Four sandwiches, under 20 minutes, and your kitchen smells like a (much nicer) Burger King.

Tips for the Best Big Fish at Home

• Toast harder than you think. If your bun ever goes soggy, the fix is always more toasting and more butter.
• Make your own “BK-style” tartar. Stir a teaspoon of sugar and an extra spoonful of pickle relish into plain tartar sauce — that’s the sweet tang that makes the Big Fish taste like the Big Fish.
• Serve immediately. This sandwich is all about contrast: hot crispy fish against cool lettuce and sauce. It doesn’t hold well, so build right before eating.
• Double the fillet if you want a heartier sandwich (this is basically the Big Fish Deluxe move).

Fun Variations

• Filet-O-Fish style: Add a half slice of American cheese while the fillet is hot, skip the lettuce. Now you’ve got a McDonald’s-style crossover.
• Fiery Big Fish: Brush the cooked fillet with a little sweet chili sauce or chili crisp for BK’s spicy version.
• Loaded deluxe: Add tomato, onion, and a slice of cheese for a bigger, restaurant-style build.
• Lighter version: Go easy on the tartar (or swap in a yogurt-based sauce) to cut fat and sodium.

The Real Burger King Big Fish: Price, Calories & Nutrition

Curious how the actual drive-thru sandwich measures up? Here’s the rundown on the real thing in 2026.

How much is a Burger King fish sandwich?

Burger King prices are set by each franchise, so there’s a range rather than one number:

Item	Typical 2026 price
Big Fish sandwich (à la carte)	$5.49 – $7.89
Big Fish combo (fries + drink)	$8.99 – $10.69
Fiery Big Fish (limited-time)	from ~$3.99 when promoted

Money-saving tip: the BK app is where the deals live — Royal Perks points and rotating “2 for $6 / 2 for $7” Mix & Match offers often include the Big Fish.

Burger King fish sandwich calories

A standard Big Fish has about 570 calories, with roughly 46% from fat and 40% from carbs. For reference, my copycat version above comes in around 370 calories, mostly because you control the oil and the amount of sauce.

Big Fish nutrition facts

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value*
Calories	570	—
Total fat	30 g	38%
Saturated fat	~5.5 g	28%
Trans fat	0.3 g	—
Cholesterol	~50 mg	17%
Sodium	~1,270 mg	55%
Total carbohydrate	54–58 g	20%
Dietary fiber	2 g	7%
Total sugar	8–9 g	—
Protein	19 g	—

*Based on a 2,000-calorie diet; values are approximate.

The Big Fish is a solid protein hit (19 g) but it’s high in sodium — more than half a day’s worth in one sandwich. It’s not keto, low-carb, gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan friendly.

What’s in it?

Burger King’s Big Fish is made with a wild-caught Alaskan pollock fillet in panko breading, sweet tartar sauce, dill pickles, and shredded iceberg lettuce on a toasted potato bun. Allergens: fish, wheat, egg, soy, milk (cross-contact), and sesame.

Big Fish vs. McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish

The eternal fast-food fish debate. Here’s how they actually differ:

	BK Big Fish	McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish
Fish	Alaskan pollock	Alaskan pollock
Breading	Crispy panko	Lighter, softer
Cheese	None (add on request)	Half slice American
Lettuce	Yes	None
Bun	Toasted potato bun	Steamed bun
Calories	~570	~390
Sodium	~1,270 mg	~580 mg

My honest take: the Filet-O-Fish is smaller, softer, and a lot lighter — if you’re watching calories or sodium, it’s the smarter order. But for pure crunch and that sweet-tartar-plus-lettuce combo, the Big Fish wins on taste. Which is exactly why this copycat exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Burger King have a fish sandwich? Yes — it’s the Big Fish, a permanent year-round item made with wild-caught Alaskan pollock.

Is the Burger King fish real? Yes, it’s 100% real Alaskan pollock, the same mild white fish often used to make imitation crab.

How much is the Big Fish? Roughly $6.39–$7.89 for the sandwich and $8.99–$10.69 for a combo, depending on your location. Check the BK app for current deals.

Is the Burger King fish sandwich healthy? It’s a moderate-protein option but high in fat and sodium. Skipping the tartar sauce or swapping fries for a side salad makes it more balanced.

Is the Big Fish halal? In the US, Canada, and UK, Burger King fries halal and non-halal foods in shared oil, so the fish sandwich generally isn’t halal there. Muslim-majority countries offer halal-compatible options — check locally.

Does Burger King still sell the Whaler? Yes — the Whaler was the original name. It’s now called the Big Fish.

What fish can I use for the copycat? Alaskan pollock is the most authentic, but breaded cod, haddock, or tilapia all work great.

More Fast Food Copycat Recipes

Can’t stop at just one? Here are more drive-thru classics you can make better at home:

• Air Fryer Copycat McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish — the lighter, cheesier cousin of the Big Fish
• Air Fryer Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich — bold heat, crispy coating, and cool, creamy mayo
• Air Fryer Popeyes Chicken Sandwich — juicy fillet, tangy pickles, and a buttery brioche bun
• Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Crispy Chicken Sandwich — the family-favorite handheld, ready in under 15 minutes