Step 1

Get your dredging station ready: Sift flour onto a plate and spread out. To another plate, add panko, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, onion powder, paprika, thyme, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder, whisking to combine. In a bowl, whisk egg. Set aside.

Step 2

Cut cod into two equal pieces and pat dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Step 3

Dredge each piece of cod in flour, coating all around, shaking off excess.

Step 4

Then, dip cod into whisked egg, shaking off excess

Step 5

Finally, dredge cod in panko bread crumbs, coating all around, pressing to adhere. You can place on a plate while you are getting your oil ready.

Step 6

Place the canola or vegetable oil into a large, heavy-duty pot with high/tall sides suitable for frying (I used a high sided cast-iron pot).Note: Use enough oil to come up to 2 inches up the side of the pot. To monitor your oil temperature, a candy and deep-fry thermometer clipped to the side of the pot (with the tip submerged in the oil) is a great tool to use.

Step 7

Heat the pot of oil over medium heat. You want an oil temperature of about 360 degrees Fahrenheit.Note: Oil may drop in temperature when fish is placed in there, but try to keep it around that temperature.

Step 8

Gently lower each piece of cod into the oil, away from you, and cook 3 minutes. Carefully turn the cod pieces and continue to cook for another 3 minutes or until cod is cooked through, is opaque, and flakes easily with a fork (insert the tines of a fork into the thickest part of the fish at an angle and twist gently; it should flake easily). Note: Depending on the thickness of the cod pieces, you may have to cook longer.

Step 9

When cooked, carefully remove cod from the oil (a spider strainer works great for removing the cooked cod).Optional: Place cod on a cooling rack over a baking sheet to drain of any excess grease for a minute or two, if necessary (though, mine weren't greasy).

Step 10

Sprinkle cod with additional salt (if desired).

Step 11

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until well incorporated.

Step 12

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, stirring to combine.

Step 13

Assemble fish burgers: toast buns (if you like), spread the cut side of each bun with tartar sauce, place piece of fish on bottom buns, top with coleslaw (and any of the other garnish options (if you like), and place top buns over top (with tartar sauce on the inside) to form your fish burgers. Serve and enjoy!