Easy Air Fryer Fish Sticks

If crispy battered fish is your jam, then you’re going to adore these Air Fryer fish sticks! They turn out way crispier than their baked counterparts and offer a healthier alternative to deep-frying.

Post includes Weight Watchers points.

Fish is an incredibly healthy protein, and nothing is tastier than crispy, flaky fish sticks. When deep-fried, the oil you consume can cancel out any health benefits, and baked fish sticks can be soggy and bland.

Your Air Fryer is the answer to having crispy fish sticks that have crunch and flavor and are healthier than store-bought options or deep-fried fish sticks and are ready in about 25 minutes.

This perfectly crisp eat will be a hit in your house, and your kids will love dunking these into their favorite sauce. I recommend making your fish sticks a little shorter than regular fish sticks. My kids love them a little chunkier, making them easier to handle when dipping.

My kids also love air fryer fish and chips, as do I, especially when getting dinner on the table is in a rush. These best air fryer fish sticks are easy to make from scratch to save money. They cook quickly so that you can save time.

A kids’ favorite, they are a perfect dinner tonight option for busy families any time of the week. You are going to love making these fish sticks in the air fryer!

Why Make This Air Fryer Fish Sticks Recipe

• Kid-friendly – Kids love fish sticks, so this dinner will be a big hit.  
• Healthier – You will use less oil than deep frying but still get the incredible crunch.
• Fast – The fish sticks cook fast in the air fryer so the kids will be full and happy.

Ingredient Notes

Notes on what you need to make Air Fryer Fish Sticks.

• Fish Fillets – use white fish like tilapia or cod. You can also use thawed fish instead of fresh.
• Flour – This uses plain, all-purpose flour to help with breading.
• Eggs – Beat the egg well before using it – it helps to bind the breading to each fish stick.
• Breadcrumbs – Use panko breadcrumbs coz these crisp up well. But you can use regular breadcrumbs as well. If you want golden fish sticks, toast your breadcrumbs first before air frying.
• Cooking spray – or olive oil is optional but can help you crisp up and brown the fish fillets.

Ready to learn how to make these Air Fryer Fish Sticks? Grab that fish and the other ingredients, and I will show you…

How To Cook Fish Sticks in Air Fryer

Don’t forget to check out my best air fryer tips to get better results with every recipe.

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

Step 1. Preheat the Air Fryer to 350 degrees F / 176 degrees C. Set out three bowls to create a dipping station. Place flour in the first bowl, beaten egg in the second bowl, and bread crumbs in the third bowl. 

Step 2. Cut the fish into bite-sized chunks and dip each piece in flour, egg mixture, and then in the breadcrumbs.

Step 3. Place the fish fingers into your preheated air fryer basket with space between each piece. Spray with nonstick cooking spray if you prefer.

Step 4. Air fry sticks for 12-15 minutes until golden brown, flipping halfway through cooking. If cooking in batches, air fry the remaining fish sticks until all are done. Sprinkle with paprika and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. 

Note: It is important to check for doneness using a digital meat thermometer. The internal temperature of fish should reach 145 degrees F / 63 degrees C.

Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting with less cook time, checking for doneness, then adding more cooking time as needed.

Baked Fish Sticks

Want to bake these instead. Then here is how.

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C.
2. Set out three bowls to create a dipping station.
3. Place flour in the first bowl, beaten eggs in the second, and breadcrumbs in the third. 
4. Cut the fish into bite-sized chunks and dip each piece in flour, egg mixture, and breadcrumbs.
5. Repeat with remaining fish until all done.
6. Place the breaded fish sticks into a prepared baking sheet with space between each piece.
7. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through.

Frozen Fish Sticks

Want to learn how to cook the frozen version? Then head on over to the Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks post to find out more.

Pro/Expert Tips

• Don’t overcrowd the basket. Leave space so the hot air circulates and helps crisp up the fish.
• Use a shallow dish to hold the flour, if you can. It makes it easier to dip.
• You can use thawed fish. Ensure the frozen fish fillets are defrosted according to the package directions before making the fish sticks. 
• If the fish is wet, pat dry fish with a paper towel before coating it to avoid soggy fish sticks. 
• Using spray oil, use the right version that does not damage your air fryer basket coating.
• Paprika tends to burn, so I like to sprinkle on smoked paprika after the fish sticks have cooked. 
• Thicker fillets need a little longer to cook.
• If you have a larger air fryer you can cook all of these in one go.
• If cooking fish in the oven, use a rimmed baking sheet to prevent them from falling off the sheet.
• To make it gluten free, use gluten free flour and breadcrumbs.

Delicious Variations

• Try different types of fish – We love tilapia, but any white fish will be delicious. 
• Spice it up – Add a bit of Old Bay Seasoning, Creole Seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder to the flour before coating for a burst of flavor. You could season with salt and pepper.
• If you want, you can start with seasoned breadcrumbs for an even more delicious flavor.

Prep And Storage

This Fish Sticks Air Fryer recipe is perfect for prepping ahead.

• Prep ahead – Breaded fish sticks can be made in advance and frozen according to the directions below. 
• Store – Leftover Air Fryer Fish Fingers should be stored in the fridge and consumed within 24 hours. 
• Freeze – These are perfect for freezing. Follow the recipe and freeze the fish sticks after breading. Aka freeze them raw. Place them on a cookie sheet to flash freeze for about 1 hour, and then add them to an airtight container.
• Cook from frozen – To Air Fry fish sticks from frozen, cook them for 15-18 minutes at 400 degrees F / 204 degrees C. 

FAQs

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Looking for more EASY, delicious, and flavorful recipes? I’ve got you covered. Check out my full collection of air fryer recipes, or start a few of my most popular recipes:

Serve Fish Sticks With:

• To make this a main course, you can serve along with the best Air Fryer Frozen French Fries that are fluffy inside and crispy on the outside.
• These go great with dipping sauces like Tarter sauce, spicy Yum Yum Sauce and Bang Bang Sauce, Homemade Ketchup, and a sprinkle of fresh lemon juice.
• Leftover fish sticks can also make an awesome fish finger sandwich in tortilla wraps for Air Fryer Fish Tacos or sandwich rolls.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 7 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

• An Air Fryer that is the correct size for you or your family.
• A sharp knife for cutting the fish.
• Tongs are super useful for turning over food.
• For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

Thank you for reading my Air Fried Fish Sticks recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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