Homemade Air Fryer Fish Sticks are super crispy, crunchy, and so much better than any store-made brand of frozen fish. You can use fresh or frozen fish to make delicious fish fingers.
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- Using the air fryer gives a fabulous crispy crunchy exterior to the fish without frying.
- Air frying gives food a crispy exterior and is lower in fat and calories.
- By far, homemade fish sticks blow away any boxed frozen fish that is full of preservatives.
- Depending on where you live, fresh fish may not be available. This recipe works great with frozen fresh fish. Just defrost before making the fish sticks
- This is not just a kid's meal. The entire family will love the taste of this lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
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I am all about taking shortcuts in the cooking process when necessary. That said, when you can enjoy homemade foods like a fresh chicken tenderloin recipe or fish sticks, I most definitely make my own. Nothing compares to homemade and this is not just for kids. These are going to be a favorite for everyone. Make some homemade cocktail sauce and tartar sauce and get air frying.
Equipment
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Dredge fish in flour mixture.
- Move fish to the egg mixture.
- Full coat fish in the Panko bread crumbs.
- Spray the air fryer basket and fish fingers with canola oil spray. Cook at 390° for 6 minutes. Flip at cook another 4 minutes. Fully cooked fish should be at 165°F internally.
- Serve and enjoy.
Storage
According to the USDA guidelines, leftovers can be kept in the fridge for about 3 days.
A great little tip for these fish sticks is they can be frozen once cooked and reheated at a later date. Having no added preservatives makes these so much better than prepackaged fish fingers. Plus it is more affordable to buy the fish and make your own.
To freeze homemade fish sticks, place the cooked fish on a baking tray in the freezer for about 1 hour. This ensures the fish won't stick to each other. They, then can be placed in freezer backs or use a food saver to store them in the freezer. The bags should be labeled and dated. The fish can keep in the freezer for 3 months.
To reheat the homemade frozen fish sticks, reheat in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes.
Expert Tips
Expert Tip: Be sure to cut the fish into the same size pieces so they cook evenly.
- When dredging the fish in the flour, tap the excess off with the fork. Do the same with the egg wash, tap the excess off so there isn't too much of each on the fish.
- I've found using a BPA food-approved spray bottle is a great way to spray oil when using the air fryer or baking food that needs to be oiled. (link in the recipe card, affiliate link)
- If you don't have an air fryer, the fish can be baked. The instructions are below in the recipe.
- By the way, my Granny always called these fish fingers, as this is how fish sticks are referred to in England, so I cannot resist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use frozen fish. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging to defrost the fish, then proceed with the recipe.
If the fish has no packaging instructions, this is my method from my fishmonger: When I've planned the meal, place the fish in the fridge, overnight to defrost.
If short on time, place the fish, still in its packaging, in a large bowl of cold water to defrost.
Replace the water every 20 minutes until defrosted. This usually takes about 3 hours for 1 -2 pounds of fish.
The fish is dredged in flour and then in an egg wash so the breadcrumbs will stick. The flour should be a light coating. Tap off excess flour with a fork. Then dip into the egg wash. This ensures the breadcrumbs will stick. You will love the crispy coating.
A firm fish like cod, haddock, or halibut is best for fish sticks.
The best size for the sticks are about 1 inch thick and 3 inches long.
The internal temperature of cooked fish shou;d be 165°F/74°C. Use an instant read thermometer for accuracy.
This is another great meal plan recipe. I make a large batch and freeze some for another day. When ready to cook, set the air fryer to 400°F/205°C, cook the frozen fish sticks for about 7-8 minutes. Flip the fish sticks and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Again, the internal temperature of the fish should be 165°F/74°C.
Variations
Serving Suggestions
The clear choice is always fish and chips. The chips being french fries. Crispy Roasted Potatoes take the french fry to the next level and are loaded with flavor.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, made with buttermilk are a hit. No Instant Pot, no problem, try Homemade Mashed Potatoes, my Granny's recipe, super creamy and delicious.
You will love our Bacon, Ranch Potato Salad as a side dish for the fish sticks.
Homemade Macaroni Salad is full of veggies and another excellent choice to pair with the fish.
Roasted Broccoli is simple and always a big hit. My niece thought she didn't like broccoli until she had this recipe.
Oven Roasted Green Beans, don't get any easier or tastier than this one, yum.
Enjoy your air fryer with some of my other favorites like Air Fryer Chik-fil-A Sandwich my kids request this all the time.
Air Fryer Biscuits, these homemade fluffy treats are fabulous homemade biscuits without a fuss.
Don't forget a sweet treat with Air Fryer Oreos, these are addicting!
Similar recipes
Love the air fryer, try our Crispy Tofu, even my beef loving sons love this recipe.
Our easy Air Fryer Turkey burgers have just a few quick ingredients and they are ready in no time.
Serving suggestions
The clear choice is always fish and chips. The chips being french fries. Crispy Roasted Potatoes take the french fry to the next level and are loaded with flavor.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, made with buttermilk are a hit. No Instant Pot, no problem, try Homemade Mashed Potatoes, my Granny's recipe, super creamy and delicious.
Homemade Macaroni Salad is full of veggies and another excellent choice to pair with the fish.
Roasted Broccoli is simple and always a big hit. My niece thought she didn't like broccoli until she had this recipe.
Oven Roasted Green Beans, don't get any easier or tastier than this one, yum.
Enjoy your air fryer with some of my other favorites like Air Fryer Chik-fil-A Sandwich my kids request this all the time.
Air Fryer Biscuits, these homemade fluffy treats are fabulous homemade biscuits without a fuss.
Don't forget a sweet treat with Air Fryer Oreos, these are addicting!
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Fish Sticks
Equipment Needed:
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless , skinless cod fish fillets Note 1
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour Note 2
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups Panko Bread Crumbs Note 3
- 2 Tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning, divided ½ Tablespoon and 1 ½ Tablespoon
- chopped fresh parsley and lemon, garnish optional
- cocktail sauce, optional
- tartar sauce, optional
- non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
Air Fryer Fish Sticks
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour and ½ Tablespoon of Old Bay Seasoning.
- In a separate shallow bowl, beat the eggs with a fork or small whisk until well blended. The mixture will be a bright yellow when well mixed.
- In a third shallow bowl, mix remaining 1 ½ Tablespoon Old Bay seasoning with Panko Crumbs.
- Cut fish filets into desired size sticks. (Note 4)
- Fully coat each fish stick in the flour, then the egg wash and lastly the Panko Crumbs. (Note 5)
- Repeat these steps for all the fish sticks.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place 4-5 fish stick in basket. Spray the fish sticks with oil. (Note 6)
- Cook on 390°F for 6 minutes, flip sticks and spray with oil. Cook on 390 for 4 minutes. (Note 7) Use an instant read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the fish. Fish is 165°f when cooked through.
- Serve with fresh chopped parsley and lemon. Along with your favorite side dish.
Baked Homemade Fish Sticks
- Preheat oven to 450°F/232°C. Spray large, 9"x13" baking tray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Follow steps 1-6 above in Air Fryer Instructions.
- Place the breaded fish onto the prepared baking sheet. Spray the tops of the fish with a bit of the oil spray Bake for about 10 minutes. Flip the fish and bake another 5 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the fish. They should be at 165°F when cooked through.
- Serve as above with lemon and fresh parsley.
Notes
- Feel free to use frozen fish for this recipe. Just defrost the fish first and proceed with the recipe.
- Follow the instructions on the packaging to defrost.
- If the fish has no packaging, these are my methods: When I've planned the meal, place the fish in the fridge, overnight to defrost. If short on time, place the fish, still in its packaging, in a large bowl of cold water to defrost. Replace water every 20 minutes until defrosted. This usually takes about 3 hours for 1 -2 pounds of fish.
