Making fish sticks in air fryer is a quick and easy dinner that everyone will enjoy. Air frying fish sticks gives them a crispy and crunchy coating without the grease of deep frying. They’re ready in minutes to serve as a quick weeknight dinner or lunch if you!
I’ll show you how to make fish sticks and frozen fish sticks in the air fryer, how to practice making fish sticks in the air fryer, the best dips and sides to serve with fish sticks, and even which brands of fish sticks to buy! Keep going!
Table of Contents
- Making air fryer fish sticks
- What fish is used in the making of fish sticks?
- Are frozen fish sticks good for your health?
- What brand of fish sticks is the best?
- How to dip fish sticks
- Reheating fish sticks in an air fryer
- How to cook fish sticks and tater tots in an air fryer at the same time
- What do you make out of frozen fish sticks?
- FAQs:
- Conclusion
Making air fryer fish sticks
You can make these Air Fryer fish sticks in two ways. The first is to make a thick breading with flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs, as I did in this recipe for super crispy fish sticks. Alternatively, you can keep things simple by using frozen store-bought fish sticks.
Both methods produce golden crispy breading that your family will love! So, let’s get right to it, and I’ll show you how to make these fish sticks super crispy and golden in color!
Fish sticks in air fryer
Fish sticks are one of my favorite things to Air fry! They’re incredibly simple to make, and when made from scratch, they taste far superior to frozen store-bought fish sticks!
To make a delicious and perfectly crispy breading, the fish is cut into smaller pieces and then dipped in flour, egg, and dried breadcrumbs.
The ingredient
– The main ingredient is fish. Except for lean fish like tuna and swordfish, which tend to dry out, any fish works here. I used cod, but you could also use catfish, pollock, halibut, haddock, hake, ling, or any white fish of your choice.
– Breadcrumbs. Use dry bread crumbs and toasted breadcrumbs for extra crispy golden finger sticks. To make your own homemade breadcrumbs, process stale bread until coarsely ground, then toast on a sheet pan in the oven at 280F (140C) for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through.
– Flour. I use all-purpose flour and season it with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you prefer. Dredge the fish in flour, then shake off the excess before dipping it in eggs.
– Eggs.
The instructions
Season the fish with salt and set aside for 20-30 minutes (up to 1 hour). This helps to extract moisture from the fish and firm it up for crispy fish sticks. It’s also a good time to season the fish before breeding it.
Season the flour with salt and pepper, and season the breadcrumbs similarly. Feel free to experiment with additional seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Alternatively, use any aromatics you like; I love adding fresh dill!
Dredge the fish in the flour using the dry and wet hand method, shaking off any excess flour. Then coat with breadcrumbs after dipping in egg.
Once the fish sticks have been thoroughly coated, place them in the Air Fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap. Spray lightly with oil for extra crispiness and color, then Air Fry at 400F (200C) for 10 minutes, flip, and cook for 5 minutes more.
Remove the fish sticks from the Air Fryer and serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and homemade tartar sauce for extra flavor.
Note: The fish sticks are freezer friendly. If you do decide to freeze them, do so immediately. Cook for 15-18 minutes at 400°F (200°C) from the frozen.
***Refer to more: Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Air frying frozen fish sticks
To make delicious and crispy fish sticks, start with a box of breaded fish sticks from your favorite frozen food brand.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Brush or spray the fish sticks lightly with oil to keep them from sticking. Place the fish fingers in the air fryer tray or air fryer basket in a single layer. Work in batches to avoid basket overlap. It’s critical not to overcrowd them, as this will reduce airflow and cause them to cook slower.
Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time.
An Instant-Read Thermometer can be used to check the temperature. This allows you to ensure that the insides are hot before removing them from the air fryer.
Remove the fish sticks from the basket when the outside is golden brown and crispy. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
What fish is used in the making of fish sticks?
Depending on the brand, fish sticks are typically made with the following types of fish. If the fish isn’t listed on the front, it’ll be the first ingredient on the back.
Yes, the fish sticks are made from actual fish!
The following are the most common types found in frozen fish sticks:
- Salmon
- Pollock
- Cod
- Haddock
Are frozen fish sticks good for your health?
Frozen fish sticks contain oil because they have already been fried and are precooked. They do, however, have some health benefits.
Here are some of the reasons why frozen fish sticks are still a viable option:
Many brands no longer use artificial flavors or preservatives.
They are made with real frozen minced fish.
With a new Gorton’s fish sticks variety, you can even buy whole filet fish sticks that are not minced, which are great in the air fryer.
Because you are air frying them, no additional oil is required beyond what’s already in them.
What brand of fish sticks is the best?
Trident Seafood is my top pick. To make the best air fryer frozen fish sticks, use the Ultimate Fish Stick.
They have the best taste between the crispiness and texture of the breading and the freshness and flakiness of the fish, which I found at Costco.
Other excellent brands of fish sticks include:
- Fish sticks from Gorton’s
- Van De Kamp (these will cook slightly faster than regular fish sticks because they are smaller)
- Trader Joe’s fish sticks
- Mrs. Pauls
How to dip fish sticks
- Honey Mustard Cream
- Buffalo Wing Sauce
- Sauce Bang Bang
- Tartar Dressing
- Cocktail Dressing
- Sauce with Lemon and Garlic
Reheating fish sticks in an air fryer
The air fryer is fantastic for reheating fish sticks. They retain the crisp crunch of the first day that is lost when microwaving leftovers, while the inside remains fresh and flaky.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Cook the fish sticks in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.
Remove the fish sticks from the air fryer and serve immediately!
How to cook fish sticks and tater tots in an air fryer at the same time
This is the ideal air fryer combo to make. Air Fryer Tater Tots cook almost as quickly as air fryer frozen fish sticks, so I recommend putting them in at the same time with these instructions.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Place the frozen fish sticks on one side and the tater tots on the other.
Cook the fish sticks and tater tots for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Remove the fish sticks and tater tots from the air fryer and serve immediately!
What do you make out of frozen fish sticks?
Aside from the above combination of fish sticks and tater tots, here are some other great air fryer options:
- The Air Fryer Fries in French
- Green Beans in the Air Fryer
- The Air Fryer Fries made from sweet potatoes
- Jiffy Mix Hush Puppies in the Air Fryer!
- Broccoli Parmesan Air Fryer
- Green Tomatoes in the Air Fryer
***Refer to more: Best Recipe to Fry Corn Dogs in Air Fryer [Details Guideline]
FAQs:
- How to Make Frozen Fish Sticks in an Air Fryer
Making fish sticks in the air fryer is a quick and simple dinner. There is no need to thaw; simply take it out of the freezer. Then, add the fish sticks to the air fryer basket. Cooking time should be increased by 1-2 minutes for extra crunchy fish sticks.
- Can aluminum foil be used in an air fryer?
Yes, aluminum foil and parchment paper can be used in the air fryer. To help keep the air fryer flow consistent, I recommend using parchment paper with holes already cut into the sheets. You can also use aluminum foil. Fold the sides of the edges up or poke small holes in the foil sheet to allow air to circulate in your basket.
- How to store and reheat frozen air fryer fish sticks
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight sealed container. Reheat leftover fish sticks in an air fryer at 400°F for 3-4 minutes, or until warm and crispy to your preference.
- What cooking spray oil can I use in my air fryer?
Some aerosol cooking sprays are not air fryer friendly when used in your basket with cooking oil spray. Read Best Oils for Air Fryer to ensure you’re using the right cooking spray oil.
- Is the frozen fish stick cooked?
Instead, before flash freezing, frozen fish is breaded and briefly deep-fried. Whether the fish sticks are cooked or not, ensure that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Conclusion
As a result, the preceding article has provided you with a detailed guide for making fish sticks in air fryer at home. I wish you success on your first attempt. If the results are not what you expected, reread the instructions to ensure you did not overlook anything.
If you enjoyed this tutorial, please share it so that others can make fish sticks at home as well. Thank you for your time.
***Read More: What Is The Healthiest Oil To Use In An Air Fryer? Good Advises
