Torta de Pescado Empanizado (Breaded Fish Torta)
A crusty roll spread with refried beans, loaded with crunchy breaded fish, smoky chipotle mayo, avocado and pickled onion.
Made with Chipotle in adobo sauce (homemade) and Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Refried beans (frijoles refritos). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.49 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix your ready made chipotle adobo sauce (see the base recipe) with the mayonnaise in a small bowl to make a smoky chipotle mayo. Taste and add more sauce for more heat.
- 2
Set up three plates: flour with a pinch of salt, the beaten eggs, and the breadcrumbs. Pat the fish dry, then coat each piece in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, pressing on firmly.
- 3
Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the fish for 3 to 4 minutes each side until deep golden and cooked through, with the flesh opaque and flaking. Drain on kitchen paper.
8 min - 4
Warm your ready made refried beans (see the base recipe) with a splash of water until steaming hot all the way through. Toast the cut sides of the rolls in a dry pan for 1 minute.
4 min - 5
Spread beans generously over the base of each roll and chipotle mayo over the lid. Layer on lettuce, the fish, avocado and the pickled red onions.
- 6
Press the lids on and serve straight away with lime wedges.
Tips
- Dry the fish well and press the crumbs on firmly so the coating stays put in the oil.
- A thin layer of beans against the bread stops the juices soaking in, which keeps the torta from going soggy.
- Authentic tortas use a soft, white roll called a bolillo or telera. A crusty white roll or a soft ciabatta roll is the closest UK swap.
- Start with 1 tbsp of chipotle sauce in the mayo and add more to taste, since heat varies a lot between batches.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten as soon as it is made. Cooked fish keeps in the fridge for 1 day. Keep the other parts separate and reheat fish in a hot oven until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I bake the fish instead of frying?
Yes. Spray the crumbed pieces with oil, place on a hot baking tray and bake at 220 degrees C for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once, until golden and cooked through. It will be a little less crisp.
Can I make a gluten free version?
Yes. Use gluten free plain flour, gluten free breadcrumbs and gluten free rolls. The beans, chipotle sauce and pickled onions are gluten free, but check your mayonnaise label.
What fish is best?
Firm white fish such as haddock, cod, pollock or hake. Choose fillets of even thickness so they cook at the same rate.
More made with chipotle in adobo sauce (homemade)
Tostadas de Marlín Ahumado (Smoked Fish Tostadas with Chipotle)
DFEFNFSincronizadas de Jamon y Queso con Chipotle (Ham and Cheese Quesadillas)
EFNFCrema de Frijol Negro con Chipotle (Smoky Black Bean Soup)
GFDFEFPollo en Crema de Chipotle (Creamy Chipotle Chicken)
GFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.