Air Fryer Fish Sticks

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5 from 10 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

Air Fryer Fish Sticks, made from scratch and are so quick, crispy and irresistable. They are so much better than conventional frozen fish sticks.

A clear plate in air fryer fish sticks.

These Air Fryer Fish Sticks take you fresh fish and create something that even your most finicky family member will love. It is quick, lower in fat and calories and tastes fabulous. As a kid, fish sticks were in heavy rotation in my house but nothing like this. These are so fresh and tasty you will be amazed.


MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Glazed Air Fryer Ham | Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings | Air Fryer Mushrooms


What We Love About This Air Fryer Fried Fish Recipe

The technology behind the air fryer can be found here.

  • 30 Minute Meal: Delicious dinner is ready in less than a half hour you can whip up a batch any time.
  • Easy Ingredients: Make it healthier and with your ingredients.
  • Family Friendly: Tempts everyone in the family with these fun finger foods.
  • Adaptable: Can be made with the ingredients you want to use. Different fish and your own special seasonings to taste.
  • Makes Great Leftovers: So great for lunch the next day or to make a sandwich..
A close up on the fish.

Ingredient Notes

  • Cod: Fresh cod fillets. Two pounds of white fish fillets.
  • Flour: All purpose flour
  • Eggs: Two large eggs.
  • Panko Crumbs: Any variety or flavoring that you prefer.
Fresh fish, seasonings, bread crumbs etc..

Variations and Substitutions

  • Gluten-Free Panko – Try using a gluten free panko bread crumbs option.
  • Fish – Haddock or any type of white fish that you like to eat.

How to Make Air Fryer Fish Fingers

These are the basic steps for making air fryer fried fish. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions, nutrition information etc.. Check Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for more.

Battering the fish for cooking.

STEP 1: MIX

First, in a shallow bowl bowl, mix flour and 1/2 tbsp of old bay seasoning and in another, beaten eggs, finally, in the last, mix remaining old bay seasoning with panko crumbs.

STEP 2: PREPARE FISH

Second, cut fish fillets into desired size sticks. Next, fully coat a fish stick in the flour, then the egg and lastly the panko breadcrumbs mixture. Then spray the air fryer basket with a cooking spray or oil spray and also spray the fish with oil. Place the fish in the basket in a single layer on parchment or aluminum foil.

STEP 3: FRY

Finally, air fry on 390 for 6 minutes, flip sticks and spray with oil and continue to cook on 390 for 4 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve with wedges of lemon for a nice squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Before and after cooking the fish in the air fryer.

Prep and Storage Tips for Air Fryer Fish Sticks

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME

The fish can be breaded one day ahead and kept refrigerated, store in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.

HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE

This cooked air fryer fish will last for about 4 days in an airtight container.

HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE

This fish can last up to three months in the freezer.

HOW TO REHEAT THIS RECIPE

Reheat in the air fryer or in the oven until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE HEALTHIER?

A low carb panko can be great in this recipe. Also try using low salt seasoning and a low fat oil.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE OTHER FISH?

Mild fish are usually a favorite with kids but typically you can use catfish, halibut, haddock or tilapia for these homemade fish sticks.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE DOUBLED OR HALVED?

Of course, you can cook strips in batches or do a single fillet for a small family,

FAVORITE DIPPING SAUCE? TARTAR SAUCE IS GREAT, BUT ALSO TRY THESE TO DIPS:

>Boom Boom Sauce
>Honey Mustard
>Fry Sauce
>Ketchup
>Copycat Chick Fil A Sauce Recipe

A completed plate of the main dish.

Expert Tips for Making This Air Fryer Fish Fingers Recipe

  • Add Seasoning: House Seasoning Blend, garlic powder or Lemon pepper will add a nice kick.
  • Garnish: Lemon and fresh herbs brighten this dish giving it a kick.
  • Kick it Up: Thai Chili Sauce is a great spicy alternative.
  • Gluten Free: To make a gluten free version simply use a gluten free bread crumb or use your own crackers and crush for coating.
  • Low Calorie Tartar: Use a low calorie, low fat or fat free mayonnaise to make the tartar sauce.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Fish Sticks

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A clear plate in air fryer fish sticks.
5 from 10 votes

Air Fryer Fish Sticks

Yield: 4 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Air Fryer Fish Sticks, made from scratch and are so quick, crispy and irresistable. They are so much better than conventional frozen fish sticks.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds cod fish filets
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups panko crumbs
  • 2 Tablespoon old bay seasoning , divided
  • lemon, garnish
  • fresh parsley, garnish

Instructions

  • In one bowl, mix flour and 1/2 tbsp of old bay seasoning.
  • In a separate bowl, beat the eggs
  • In a last bowl, mix remaining old bay seasoning with panko crumbs.
  • Cut fish filets into desired size sticks.
  • Fully coat a fish stick in the flour, then the egg and lastly the panko crumbs. Repeat for all fish sticks
  • Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place 4-5 fish stick in basket. Spray the fish sticks with oil.
  • Cook on 390 for 6 minutes, flip sticks and spray with oil. Cook on 390 for 4 minutes.

Expert Tips

    • Add Seasoning: House Seasoning Blend, garlic powder or Lemon pepper will add a nice kick.
    • Garnish: Lemon and fresh herbs brighten this dish giving it a kick.
    • Kick it Up: Thai Chili Sauce is a great spicy alternative.
    • Gluten Free: To make a gluten free version simply use a gluten free bread crumb or use your own crackers and crush for coating.
    • Low Calorie Tartar: Use a low calorie, low fat or fat free mayonnaise to make the tartar sauce.
 

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 513kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 179mg | Sodium: 375mg | Potassium: 1090mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 262IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 6mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 30 minute, air fryer, fish

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3 thoughts on “Air Fryer Fish Sticks”

  1. 5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

    Reply

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