Frozen Fish Sticks in Air Fryer Recipe

Name: Frozen Fish Sticks in Air Fryer Recipe
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 16 fish sticks (frozen)

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Learn how to make this frozen fish sticks in air fryer recipe perfectly in a matter of minutes. Straight from the freezer to your air fryer, they turn out perfectly every single time and act as an easy weeknight dinner for the kids!

A single fish stick being dipped into a small bowl of ketchup.

Why This Recipe Works

I wonder how many fish sticks I have served to my children over the years. The number has to be in the thousands. I wish I’d had access to an air fryer when they were little-little. I always hated turning the oven on during summer months and fish sticks are great to make any time of the year!

Also, there were times when oven-baked fish sticks that were sitting toward the outside of the pan cooked very differently than those hanging out near the center. Other times, I served my boys plates filled with soggy fish sticks.

Air fryer fish sticks come out uniformly-cooked every single time. The breading is perfectly golden brown and the insides are deliciously cooked through, creating the most perfectly crispy fish sticks. If you have people in your household who love this easy meal, grab them out of your freezer and throw them into your air fryer for dinner tonight!

Recipe Ingredients

Frozen fish sticks on a cutting board with a spritzer filled with olive oil.

Frozen fish sticks – This is the only ingredient necessary, making this the easiest kid meal on the planet. No thawing necessary! Straight from the freezer to air fryer.

How To Make Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks (aka Fish Fingers)

Step 1

Place fish in a single layer in an air fryer basket or the inner pot of a pressure air fryer.

Frozen fish sticks in a single layer inside an air fryer.

Let them cook at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. Flip fish sticks and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Tongs lifting a fish stick out of an air fryer.

Step 2

When cooking time is up, use tongs or a spatula to remove from the air fryer. Place on a few paper towels to remove any excess oil. Transfer to a serving plate or baking sheet and serve alongside tartar sauce, ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired!

Recipe Notes

For a crispier end result, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes per side. Keep in mind that air fryer cook times may vary slightly by just a few minutes.
For best results, add a bit of oil or nonstick cooking spray before cooking. Use an oil sprayer to spray oil over top and also inside the basket/inner pot.
Line up in a single layer so they cook as evenly as possible.
A good option for sprucing up this simple kid dinner by sprinkling with Old Bay Seasoning before cooking. Garlic powder or onion powder are also delicious flavor-boosters.
Squeezing a bit of fresh lemon juice over the tops just before serving is a great way to spruce this easy meal!

What To Serve With Fish Sticks

Check out this super delicious roundup of recipes: what to serve with fish! There will certainly be a few options on the list that will be perfect for today’s meal.

Plate full of stacked fish sticks sitting next to ketchup for dipping.

Favorite Dipping Sauces

Homemade tartar sauce
Ketchup
Regular or low-fat mayo
Seasoned sour cream
Ranch dressing
Barbecue sauce
Honey mustard

FAQ About Fish Sticks

Are fish sticks healthy?

Since fish sticks are breaded and typically fried, there is a high level of fat inside. The perk is that kids (or adults) are also getting a good dose of nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids found in white fish.

How fish sticks are made?

Fish sticks are derived from blocks of fish that are cut into rectangles which become coated with bread crumbs and then fried, transforming into delicious breaded fish sticks.

Are fish sticks good for dogs?

Fish sticks are safe for consumption by dogs but in moderation since they are not considered a “healthy” food.

How to store leftover fish sticks?

Store cooked fish sticks after they have cooled to room temperature in aluminum foil or inside a sealed Ziploc bag or airtight container for up to 4 days.

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