Air Fryer Fish Sticks

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With a few simple ingredients, you can have a batch of these crispy air fryer fish sticks ready in no time! Just cut your fish fillets into strips, bread them in a seasoned panko breadcrumb mixture, and air fry until golden brown.

Air frying is such a great way to get the incredible crunch of something deep-fried without actually deep frying! In fact, for perfectly golden, crispy fish sticks, all you need is a generous spray of olive oil. For more air fryer recipes, try my air fryer salmon, air fryer chicken nuggets, and air fryer turkey meatballs.

Ingredients

Fish — cod is my favorite fish to use in this air fryer fish stick recipe. It has a firm but flaky texture. Be sure to remove the skin or purchase skinless fillets.

Salt — to season the fish and the breading mixture.

Flour — dredge the fish sticks in flour so the egg has something to stick to.

Eggs — coating the dredged fish in eggs helps the breading adhere to the fish sticks.

Breading — you’ll need Panko breadcrumbs, black pepper, and paprika for the crunchy coating.

For serving — you can’t go wrong with your favorite dipping sauce like tartar sauce. And don’t forget the lemon wedge! A squeeze of lemon is a must with seafood.

How To Make Air Fryer Fish Sticks

Set of two photos showing cod cut and egg wash being assembled.

1. Cut the cod filets into strips and season them all over with salt. Refrigerate the fish until ready to dredge.

2. Place the flour in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, whisk the eggs with 2 tablespoons of water.

Set of two photos showing paprika added to breadcrumbs and cut cod coated in flour.

3. In a third shallow bowl, mix together the Panko breadcrumbs, remaining salt, black pepper, and paprika.

4. Dredge each piece of fish in flour.

Set of two photos showing cod added the egg wash then coated in the breadcrumbs.

5. Then, dip in the beaten eggs.

6. Lastly, coat with the Panko mixture.

Set of two photos showing the breaded cod added to the air fryer basket and sprayed with oil and flipped in the air fryer.

7. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray. Place half of the breaded fish pieces in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Spray the fish well with the olive oil spray.

8. Cook at 400°F for 6 minutes. Flip the fish and spray the other side well with oil spray. Cook for 4 to 6 more minutes or until golden brown and the internal temperature of each piece reaches 145°F. Repeat to cook the remaining half of the fish, and serve.

A platter of air fryer fish sticks with lemon wedges and a bowl of tartar sauce. A stack of plates. bowl of pepper, and cut lemon in the background.

How To Freeze Fish Sticks

After breading the fish sticks, place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen air fryer fish sticks to a freezer-safe container. You can air fry them from frozen, adding 2 to 3 minutes to the cooking time.

An air fryer fish stick cut opened, showing the flaky fish inside, propped up on another fish stick with a bowl of tartar sauce beside it.

Serving Ideas

Serve air fryer fish sticks with your favorite sauce (like tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, ketchup, etc.), lemon wedges, and a side. They pair well with air fryer tater tots, air fryer french fries, air fryer mozzarella sticks, potato salad, and coleslaw.

You can even turn leftovers into delicious fish tacos!

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Store leftover fish sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until warmed through. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Pro Tips For Making This Recipe

If you use frozen fish, thaw it first and pat the fillets very dry with paper towels to prevent soggy fish sticks.
Cut fish into equal pieces. The more uniform the fish sticks are in size, the more evenly they will cook.
Add extra seasonings. Season with extra salt or a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning after cooking. You can also add garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried herbs to the breading mixture.
Add parmesan cheese to the breading. Replace ¼ cup of the panko breadcrumbs with an equal amount of grated parmesan cheese for a more savory flavor.
For the crispiest air fryer fish fingers, it’s best to serve these straight from the air fryer. Or, hold the fish warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave enough space between the fish pieces so the hot air can circulate freely for crispy homemade fish sticks.

A plate with three air fryer fish sticks and lemon wedges. Another plate in the background along with a bowl of tartar sauce and vase of pink flowers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I air fry frozen fish sticks?

Yes, you can cook frozen fish sticks in the air fryer. Homemade fish sticks can be air-fried from frozen (see details a few sections above). You can also air fry store-bought frozen fish sticks at the same temperature, 400°F. However, refer to the package instructions for cooking times. While they will likely be similar to this recipe, the cooking times can vary by brand.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for cornstarch or gluten-free all-purpose flour, and use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Always double-check all ingredient labels, too.

Can I use other types of fish?

You can use any kind of thick white fish for this recipe. Sea bass, halibut, or grouper work well in place of the cod. Be sure to remove the skin before cutting the fish into sticks.

If you love this recipe try these out!

If you’ve tried this air fryer fish sticks recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!