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Air Fryer Fish Sticks

Get those Air Fryer Fish Sticks golden brown and flaky in a flash, perfect for those busy weeknights when you want a quick, delicious meal the kids will love. Homemade with cod, they’re a crispy, golden-brown delight bound to make your regular dinner rotation!

Fish sticks cooked in an air fryer.


Skip the mess and hassle of deep frying – these air fryer fish sticks are easier and healthier! They are the perfect snack or enjoy a bunch of them with your lunch. You only need a handful of fish sticks and your favorite sauce – your meal is ready! 

This is perfect for anyone who is just learning how to cook. The air fryer is so easy to use (and clean) that you’ll wonder why you have ever used frozen fish sticks. It’s pretty surprising how much tastier real fish is than the pre-made. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy Recipe – After a few simple steps, you will have enough fish sticks for the whole family. 
  • Quick – The fish sticks are ready in 15 minutes.
  • Healthy – When the fish is air-fried instead of deep-fried, you don’t have to worry about all that saturated fat. 
  • Kid-friendly – Kids love finger food, which is also good for them. 
  • Perfect for lunch boxes – It’s a main part of a healthy lunch. 

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

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    You only need simple ingredients to make tasty and crispy fish sticks!

    • Cod Fillets – Cod is a mild and flaky fish, perfect for fish sticks. 
    • Eggs – The beaten egg helps the breading adhere to the fish and provides a crispy texture when air-fried. 
    • Breadcrumbs – Plain breadcrumbs are coarse and light, giving the fish sticks a crispy and crunchy texture
    • Flour – Flour helps create a base layer for the breading to stick to the fish. 
    • Garlic Powder – Garlic powder adds a savory, garlicky flavor to the marinade and breading. 
    • Onion Powder – Onion powder adds a subtle onion flavor to the breading.
    • Paprika – Paprika adds a mild, smoky flavor and a nice color to the breading.
    • Salt and Pepper – these seasonings enhance the overall flavor of the dish. Adjust the amount to taste. You can substitute them with your preferred seasonings.
    • Non-Stick Spray – Olive oil spray helps crisp up the fish sticks during air frying. You can use other cooking oils like avocado oil or vegetable oil. 
    • Lemon Wedges – Lemon wedges provide a fresh and citrusy element to your homemade air fryer fish sticks.  
    Ingredients on a white marble counter.

    How to Make Air Fryer Fish Sticks

    • Step One: Slice the fish fillets into 1-inch sticks. 
    • Step Two: Next, set up your breading station. Add flour to one shallow bowl and beat the eggs in another. In the third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
    Collage of bowls for the breading stations.
    • Step Three: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.
    • Step Four: Dredge each piece of fish in flour, dip them in the egg mixture, and lastly, dredge them in breadcrumbs. Place each of the fish pieceaking sheets lined with parchment paper.
    Collage of breading the fish.
    • Step Five: Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or brush it with oil and air fry the fish sticks in a single layer at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, spraying them with oil and flipping them halfway. Your crispy air fryer fish sticks should reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F to be safe to eat.
    • Step Six: Let your golden brown homemade fish sticks rest for 5 minutes before serving them with lemon wedges, French fries, homemade tartar sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
    Collage of the recipe in an air fryer.

    What to Serve with Them

    The best way to serve the fish sticks is with your favorite crispy or cookout-inspired food. Here are some of my favorites! 

    Variations and Substitutions

    • Use different types of fish. You can substitute with other white fish like haddock or pollock. 
    • Make it gluten-free. Use cornstarch, almond flour, gluten-free flour, or rice flour for a gluten-free option. 
    • Use fresh lime slices on the side instead of lemon. 
    The recipe on a plate.

    Storage Instructions 

    Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    You can also freeze them for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    • A squeeze of lemon juice adds a refreshing and zesty flavor to the crispy fish sticks. You can use lime juice as a substitute. 
    • Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray (not aerosol). Otherwise, the fish sticks will stick to the basket. 
    • Flip halfway through cooking. This prevents them from burning.  
    • Use gloves. Breading the fish gets messy. 

    Dipping Sauces

    What are your favorite dipping sauces to eat with fish sticks? Try them with tartar sauce, ketchup, or honey mustard.

    You can also make your own! Try it with Homemade BBQ Sauce or Yum Yum Sauce.

    The recipe being dipped in tartar sauce.

    How To Reheat In The Air Fryer 

    To reheat fish sticks, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the fish sticks in the air fryer basket and air fry for 3-5 minutes or until heated.

    Oven Instructions

    Place the fish sticks on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake the fish sticks at 400°F for about 10 minutes. That’s it! They are an easy dinner, whether you bake them in the oven or the air fryer.  

    What Type of Fish Is Best? 

    White fish with a mild flavor and firm texture are best for fish sticks. Go with either cod, haddock, pollock, or flounder. Avoid oily fish like salmon or tuna, which will not hold up well during cooking. 

    The recipe on a plate with one broken in half.

    How Do I Cut Into Sticks? 

    Start by trimming away any excess fat or skin from the fish fillets. Then, cut the fillets into even-sized sticks, about 1 inch thick and 3-4 inches long.

    How To Add More Flavor 

    You can do a few things to make your fish sticks more flavorful. First, add your favorite herbs and spices to your breading. Second, serve your fish sticks with a dipping sauce, such as tartar sauce, ketchup, or cocktail sauce. 

    How To Tell When They Are Done?  

    Fish sticks are done cooking when they are golden brown and flake easily with a fork. You can also check the internal temperature of the fish sticks with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the fish sticks should be 145°F when they are done cooking. 

    The recipe on a plate with French Fries.

    FAQ

    Can I make fish sticks ahead of time?

    Yes, you can make fish sticks ahead of time. Simply bread the fish sticks, place them in an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. When ready to cook the fish sticks, bring them to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before air frying. 

    How do you freeze homemade fish sticks? 

    Bread the fish sticks and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze the fish sticks for 1-2 hours or until frozen. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Frozen fish sticks can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Air Fryer Recipes           

    Want to make more easy air fryer recipes at home? Here are some of my favorites:

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    Air Fryer Fish Sticks

    Created by Stacie Vaughan
    Servings 3
    Prep Time 50 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Rest Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
    Get those Air Fryer Fish Sticks golden brown and flaky in a flash, perfect for those busy weeknights when you want a quick, delicious meal the kids will love. Homemade with cod, they're a crispy, golden-brown delight that's bound to make your regular dinner rotation!

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    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1.5 – 2 pounds cod fillets thawed and sliced into 1-inch sticks
    • 2-3 eggs beaten
    • 1 ½ cups plain breadcrumbs
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • ½ tsp paprika
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp black pepper
    • extra virgin olive oil or non-stick spray
    • lemon wedges (for serving)

    Instructions

    • Slice the fish fillets into 1-inch sticks.
    • Next, set up your breading station: In one shallow bowl, add flour to a bowl and in another, beat the eggs. In the 3rd bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
    • Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.
    • Dredge each piece of fish in flour, dip them in the egg mixture, and lastly, dredge them in breadcrumbs. Place each of the fish pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    • Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or brush it with oil and air fry the fish sticks in a single layer at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, spraying with oil and flipping each of them halfway. Your crispy air fryer fish sticks should reach at least an internal temperature of 145°F to be safe to eat.
    • Let your golden brown homemade fish sticks rest for 5 minutes before serving them with lemon wedges, french fries, homemade tartar sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 599kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 207mg | Sodium: 949mg | Potassium: 1150mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 276IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 162mg | Iron: 6mg

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Course Main Dishes
    Cuisine American
    Keyword air fryer, fish sticks

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