Turkish Fish Kofta – Traditional Balik Koftesi Recipe

Last Updated on April 17, 2025 by Chef Mireille

This post may include affiliate links.

Do you struggle with incorporating enough fish into your diet? You should be eating heart healthy fish at least 3 times a week. Omega 3 fatty acids you get from fish is packed with health benefits including mood regulation which can assist you in battling depression and other mental ailments. Turkish Fish Kofta is one delicious way to get your family to eat more fish!

Balik Koftesi or Kofte as they are called in Turkey are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor in every bite. This recipe is surprisingly simple to make and a great way to switch things up from the usual fish fillets. Plus, the herbs and spices give it a Mediterranean flair that even picky eaters will enjoy!

History Time 📖

In Ottoman-era coastal towns, where fishermen brought in fresh catches daily, home cooks learned to stretch their bounty by combining fish with breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices—thus creating Turkish Fish Kofta, a dish that remains beloved across Turkey today.

There’s something magical about transforming simple ingredients into a dish that tells a story and Turkish Fish Kofte are no exception. Hailing from the vibrant coastal regions of Turkey, this dish blends the freshness of the sea with the warm, earthy spices of Anatolian kitchens.

Whether you’ve strolled through the seafood stalls of Istanbul or you’re just dreaming of the Aegean breeze, these savory fish balls bring a taste of Turkish tradition straight to your table.

These flavorful fish fritters or fish cakes are traditionally pan-fried until golden and served with a side of salad, yogurt sauce or Tarator and fresh bread like Bazlama. As a chef and culinary history enthusiast, I love recipes like this that capture both flavor and legacy in every bite.

With Turkey’s location at the edge of Europe and the beginning of the Middle East, it’s a delicious fusion cuisine drawing inspiration from the European Mediterranean as well as Arabic culture and history.

With this week’s BM theme of Weekend Brunch, these fish balls are great to include as part of a Turkish themed brunch with the following previously posted recipes:
Menemen (Turkish Tomato-Egg Stew)

Bazlama (Turkish Yogurt Flatbread)

Yield: 20-22 koftesi
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs. chopped fish fillets (use white fleshed fish like tilapia, catfish or cod)
• 3 chopped shallots
• 3 chopped scallions
• 1 chopped garlic clove
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• all purpose flour, for coating
• oil, for frying

Combine fish, shallots, scallions, garlic and parsley. Using a food processor, grind to a paste. Transfer to a bowl.
Add bread crumbs, egg, salt and pepper, Stir to combine. Form into balls and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Heat enough oil for deep frying in a skillet.
Dust fish balls lightly with flour. Place in hot oil and fry until golden brown on all sides.

How to make Turkish Fish Kofte

Turkish Fish Kofta are very flavorful with a soft interior and crispy exterior.

If you choose to serve the koftesi on their own, here are some condiments that would go great with the koftesi or the flatbread:
Fire Roasted Bell Pepper Pesto
Pumpkin Hummus
White Bean Dip
Harissa

Don’t forget to visit the RECIPE INDEX with over 1000 recipes from around the world including lots of Vegetarian Recipes and Gluten Free Recipes!