The Best Summer Walleye Recipes – 13 Recipes You Need To Know!

The walleye is a freshwater fish predominantly found across the United States and Canada. Thanks to its firm texture and mild flavor, it’s used in a wide range of dishes that we all love. 

Tasting best when paired with bolder tasting foods like pesto and tomato, walleye can be roasted, fried, grilled, or baked.

This makes it one of the most delicious, versatile, and easiest fishes to cook and eat. 

Family-friendly, it should be one of the foods you turn to this summer. 

However, you’re going to need some recipes to get you started. Luckily for you, we’re here for that!

In this post, you’ll find 13 awesome summer walleye recipes. We’ll show you the best ways to cook walleye and what ingredients it goes best with. 

If that sounds like something that can help you, be sure to stick around!

1. Balsamic Roasted Cherry Tomato Walleye

We’ve decided to start this list with an elegant walleye recipe that will easily impress your guests this summer.

Light, fresh, and full of flavor, this delicious recipe is fitting for any special occasion or healthy lunch.

The sweet and mild flavors combine beautifully to create a phenomenal tasting dish.

While the seasoned walleye tastes great, we feel inclined to say that caramelized cherry tomatoes and balsamic vinegar steal the plaudits. 

Super simple to make, this fish recipe goes well with steamed veggies or baked potatoes.

2. Pan Fried Walleye

If you want to keep things even simpler, try this pan-fried walleye recipe. Pan frying walleye is probably the easiest walleye dish to prepare.

Ready in just 25 minutes, little to no experience is required to create something tasty.

However, to make this dish perfect, you have to use fresh walleye.

Aside from the walleye, you only need 6 other ingredients. After seasoning and frying your walleye in a hot pan, you’ll be left with a crispy, light, and flavorful fish.

You can make things more interesting by squeezing a lemon wedge above your fish.

3. Grilled Walleye And Citrus Butter

The next walleye recipe on our list combines the mild flavor of the walleye with pungent citrus butter.

Not only offering more flavor, the citrus butter used in this recipe keeps the walleye moist during grilling.

This along with the strong flavor and smokiness of the grill creates unique, yet exciting bursts of flavors. 

In our opinion, grilling the walleye is the best way to enjoy its delicate flavor. Serve this delightful fish as an appetizer or with vegetables.

4. Pan-Seared Walleye With Lemon Pepper

Looking for a recipe that will jazz things up a bit? Give this pan-seared walleye recipe a try!

The lemon pepper seasoning used in this recipe gives the fish a divine zesty taste that seems to effortlessly combine with the walleye’s natural flavor.

The flavor combination almost feels like a match made in heaven.

The delicate flavors and texture of the fish are then enhanced through the pan-searing of the fish. The texture becomes wonderfully crispy and extremely satisfying. 

The best part? You only need three ingredients to make this simple recipe.

5. Grilled Walleye And Mango Salsa

Nothing says summer more than this sweet and savory grilled walleye recipe.

At first, you may find it quite odd that this recipe combines mango salsa with walleye, but when you first bite into it, you’ll never look back.

After grilling the walleye with salt, pepper, and oil, you can top it with a fresh, summery mango salsa made out of red onion, lime juice, tomato, mango, and cilantro. 

The sweetness and tanginess of the salsa elevate the dish, giving us a dish that screams summer vibes. This is a great light lunch or barbecue appetizer.

6. Hot Walleye Dip

Next up, we have this interesting hot walleye dip recipe. Compared to the other recipes on our list, this recipe is a little more unique.

Unlike the other recipes, the walleye doesn’t take center stage in this recipe.

Instead, it takes a back seat, providing other foods with great flavor. This recipe is ideal if you have any walleye left over. 

Baked with a creamy, cheesy mixture, the recipe turns walleye into a tasty savory dip.

The Parmesan cheese gives the fish a lovely flavor, while the green onion gives the dip that extra crunch.

7. Cheesy Walleye Nuggets

If you want to try something different at your next party why not give this cheesy walleye nuggets recipe a try?

An excellent appetizer or light bite, this recipe balances the unique flavor of the walleye with cheddar cheese, garlic, dill, and parsley to create a truly irresistible snack.

You’ll find your guests fighting for the last nugget.

For us, the addition of the dill gives the nuggets that extra bit of character. Amazingly, you can make these nuggets in just 12 minutes, giving you more time for socializing.

8. Walleye Wings

Did you know that you can actually make the most amazing wings using walleye? Well, you do now!

They might look a little strange at first, but they can be just as good as buffalo chicken wings when made right.

This recipe does require good skill with a knife, but with practice, you should be able to make them relatively easily. 

Rich, meaty flavors are provided thanks to the bacon, celery, garlic, and cream mixed with the fish.

The wings can be eaten on their own or with a fresh piece of crusty bread. 

9. Honey Walleye

If you love everything sweet and savory, you’ll absolutely love this honey walleye recipe. The delicate flavors of the walleye are beautifully complimented by the sweetness of the honey.

The walleye’s spiced breading only takes flavors up a notch, adding a deeper flavor.

Great comfort food, this recipe gets you to brush the fish with honey. The fish is then breaded and lightly fried in oil.

The flavor profile can be made even more impressive by drizzling lemon juice over the fish. This brings a lovely tangy taste to the table.

10. Walleye Tomato-Olive Pasta

Those of you looking for a heartier summer dinner should take a look at this walleye pasta recipe.

Ideal for families, this pasta dish makes full use of the walleye, adding a lush flavor to an already tasty pasta. 

The walleye’s flaky, delicate texture pairs brilliantly with the fragrant, powerful-tasting olive sauce and tomatoes. 

This recipe also calls for angel hair pasta. This thin pasta gives the dish a more elegant appearance and a more unique texture.

Top the dish with parmesan and lemon zest, before finally adding a drop of olive oil to balance out the acidic flavors of the tomatoes.

11. Air Fryer Walleye

Air fryers are all the rage right now, so it seems only right to give you a great air fryer walleye recipe. This one is one of the best you’ll find. 

Low-calorie, full of flavor, and nice and crispy, the air fryer cooks the fish to perfection. On the outside, the fish is crispy and crunchy.

On the inside, the fish is still super juicy and tender. 

To make an air fryer walleye, coat your fish in a light batter and throw them in your air fryer. Fry the walleye until flaky and golden brown.

Complete the dish with a lemon wedge or two.

12. Walleye Sandwich (Grilled)

In a rush, need a quick and easy, yet super tasty and filling lunch? Make yourself a freshly grilled walleye sandwich. 

Hugely popular across the United States, walleye sandwiches are fresh, versatile, filling, and absolutely delicious.

This particular walleye sandwich recipe combines moist walleye with fresh crusty bread, tangy toppings, and a range of veggies.

One of the best things about this grilled sandwich recipe is that you can add any additional ingredients you like.

This could be a particular veggie you like or your favorite dressing.

13. Parmesan-Crusted Walleye

As you can probably tell by now, Parmesan goes really well with walleye. Therefore, we see it fit to end our list of walleye recipes with a delicious Parmesan-crusted walleye recipe.

Anything crusted with Parmesan tastes great, but we have to say, Parmesan-crusted walleye takes the crown.

Crispy, crunchy, light, flavorsome, and intriguingly bitter, this walleye recipe is wonderful.

The Parmesan crust not only adds texture and flavor to the dish, but it also helps seal in the walleye’s natural flavors, This guarantees a more flavorful experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Walleye Last?

In a refrigerator, your walleye should last 5 to 7 days. Once the fish has been fileted and portioned, you should use it within 2 to 3 weeks.

How Long Does Frozen Walleye Last?

Frozen walleye will last for approximately 6 months. This is the time frame you should use it within.

However, maximum storage guidelines do also suggest that walleye can be stored in a freezer for up to 12 months.

Can You Cook Walleye With The Skin On?

Yes, you can cook walleye with the skin on. In fact, most recipes will call for it as it makes the fish go nice and crispy and crunchy.

Final Thoughts 

There you have it, 13 of the best summer walleye recipes.

In this post, we’ve shown you the best recipes you can make this summer to please your family, make a quick lunch, surprise guests, and make use of any leftover walleye.

As you can probably gather from our list, walleye is a versatile food that can be used in a variety of ways. We can bake it, fry it, grill it, or roast it. 

Now you have our list of walleye recipes, start experimenting with the different flavors on offer, and make yourself something delicious.

We’re sure you’ll enjoy whichever recipe you decide to make first.