How Many Net Carbs Are in Fish Cake?

December 30, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutrition data, a single Western-style fish cake can contain anywhere from 10 to 15 grams of net carbs, but this can vary dramatically. The primary carb content in a fish cake comes from binding ingredients like potatoes, flour, or breadcrumbs, so knowing the recipe is key to understanding its exact net carb count.

Quick Summary

The net carb content in fish cakes is highly variable, depending largely on the recipe and serving size. Traditional recipes use starchy binders like potatoes or breadcrumbs, which increase the carbohydrate count. Asian varieties and homemade keto versions can have significantly lower net carbs.

Key Points

Variable Carb Content: The net carbs in fish cake vary significantly based on ingredients and recipe, not just because of the fish itself.
Binders Increase Carbs: High-carb binders like potatoes, breadcrumbs, and wheat flour are the main sources of carbs in most traditional fish cakes.
Keto-Friendly Alternatives: Low-carb versions can be made using almond flour, crushed pork rinds, or riced cauliflower to replace starchy binders.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Homemade fish cakes offer complete control over ingredients, making it easy to create a low-carb version. Store-bought options often contain hidden carbs.
Asian vs. Western Variations: Asian-style fish cakes (like kamaboko) are made with surimi and starch, which gives them a different nutritional profile than Western-style cakes with potatoes and breadcrumbs.
Calculate Net Carbs: To find the net carbs, subtract the dietary fiber from the total carbohydrates listed on the nutrition label.
Serving Size Matters: The number of net carbs also depends on the serving size, so always check the portion size on nutritional information.

Understanding the Variable Carb Content in Fish Cakes

Unlike plain fish, which contains virtually no carbohydrates, a fish cake’s carb count is not fixed. The final nutritional value depends entirely on the ingredients and preparation method. A pre-made, store-bought fish cake will likely have a different carb profile than a homemade one, and there are major differences between Western-style and Asian-style fish cakes.

The Main Carb Culprits: Binders and Fillers

Traditional Western fish cakes often feature potatoes and breadcrumbs as primary binders. For example, a recipe from BBC Food explicitly includes potatoes and the use of breadcrumbs is common. A typical British-style fishcake, often a mix of fish and mashed potato coated in breadcrumbs, can have a surprisingly high carbohydrate load. In contrast, a simple homemade recipe using minimal binders will have a lower count. Japanese-style fish cakes, known as kamaboko, are typically made from surimi (fish paste) and starches, resulting in a different texture and carb profile.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought: A Nutritional Difference

When you make fish cakes from scratch, you have complete control over the ingredients, which is the most effective way to manage the carb content. You can choose low-carb binders to dramatically reduce the net carbs. Store-bought versions, however, are often a gamble. Many frozen or pre-packaged fish cakes use flour, breadcrumbs, and sugar to improve taste and texture, driving up the carb count. For instance, a brand like High Liner fish cakes lists 30g total carbs and 27g net carbs for two cakes. This starkly contrasts a homemade recipe where you substitute high-carb ingredients.

Net Carb Calculation: Subtracting Fiber

To calculate net carbs, you simply subtract the dietary fiber from the total carbohydrates. For many fish cakes, this is a fairly straightforward calculation. However, some recipes add ingredients like potato, which can have both carbs and fiber. Always check the nutrition label if you are purchasing a product. For instance, one brand shows 16g total carbs and 1g fiber, resulting in 15g net carbs. Another serving reports 14.9g total carbs and 1.1g fiber for 13.8g net carbs.

How to Make Keto-Friendly Fish Cakes

For those on a ketogenic or low-carb diet, it is possible to enjoy fish cakes with some smart substitutions. By replacing starchy binders with low-carb alternatives, you can make a delicious meal with minimal carbs. Some popular swaps include:

Almond Flour or Coconut Flour: These nut-based flours provide a great binding texture without the high carb count of traditional flour or breadcrumbs.
Crushed Pork Rinds: For a super-crispy crust, crushed pork rinds are an excellent, high-fat, zero-carb alternative to panko or regular breadcrumbs.
Riced Cauliflower or Mashed Vegetables: Instead of mashed potatoes, riced cauliflower can serve as a fantastic, low-carb base for the fish cakes.
Xanthan Gum: This is a powerful, low-carb binding agent that can help hold patties together with just a small amount, ideal for a very low-carb recipe.

Nutritional Comparison: Traditional vs. Low-Carb Fish Cakes


Ingredient	Traditional Fish Cake (approx. 100g)	Low-Carb Fish Cake (approx. 100g)
Protein	13-17g	15-20g (higher protein)
Total Carbs	12-16g	2-5g
Net Carbs	10-15g	Less than 2g
Fiber	1-2g	1-2g
Fat	10-15g	15-25g (higher fat)
Common Binders	Potatoes, breadcrumbs	Almond flour, cauliflower, pork rinds

Conclusion: Control Your Ingredients for Precise Carb Count

In summary, the number of net carbs in fish cake depends heavily on the recipe and whether it is homemade or store-bought. While many traditional recipes use starchy binders that increase the carbohydrate content, it is very possible to make delicious, low-carb versions by using alternative ingredients. Always check nutritional information for pre-made products, and for maximum control, consider preparing your fish cakes at home. This allows you to tailor the net carbs to perfectly suit your dietary needs, whether you are following a strict keto plan or simply watching your carb intake.

For more ideas on how to create delicious low-carb meals, exploring recipes with ingredients like almond flour and cauliflower is a great starting point. An excellent example is a homemade keto fish cakes recipe that uses almond flour and cauliflower to achieve a crispy texture with minimal carbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fish cakes are not inherently high in carbs, but their carb content depends on the recipe. Recipes using potatoes, flour, or breadcrumbs as binders will be higher in carbohydrates, while low-carb recipes using alternatives like almond flour will have very few carbs.

To calculate net carbs, you subtract the dietary fiber from the total carbohydrates listed on the nutritional information. For example, if a fish cake has 15g of total carbs and 1g of dietary fiber, the net carb count is 14g.

Yes, you can eat fish cakes on a keto diet by making a homemade, low-carb version. Substitute high-carb binders like potatoes and breadcrumbs with keto-friendly alternatives such as almond flour, riced cauliflower, or crushed pork rinds.

Western fish cakes, often containing mashed potatoes and breadcrumbs, can be higher in carbs. Asian fish cakes, or kamaboko, are made from a paste of pureed fish (surimi) and starches, which can result in a different carb content that is often lower but still needs to be checked.

Not all store-bought fish cakes have high carbs, but many do. It is essential to read the nutrition labels carefully, as many pre-made products include fillers and binders like flour or sugar that increase the carbohydrate count significantly.

For low-carb homemade fish cakes, consider using almond flour, coconut flour, finely grated cauliflower, crushed pork rinds, or a small amount of psyllium husk as binding agents instead of traditional breadcrumbs or potatoes.

Yes, fish cakes can be a good source of protein, especially when they contain a high ratio of fish to binders. Many traditional and low-carb fish cakes provide a healthy amount of protein per serving.