So today, I will share one of my favorite meals, which is quick and easy: fish sticks! That is precisely how to air fry them up super crispy. As someone who hates heating a pot of oil, if you’re like me, there’s no better ready-made clean food than fish sticks when fried to that perfect crisp! The air fryer levels up for this, and I cannot wait to show you how I do it!
Why Use an Air Fryer?
But before we get there, when is it worth getting out the bleeping air fryer, anyway? First things first. If you have never tried cooking fish sticks in an air fryer, you are seriously missing out! An air fryer is a wonderful tool for creating that perfect outer crunch on your fish fillet with a succulent, flaky inside—no deep frying necessary. And cleanup is super quick and easy, too! Win-win, right?
Thanks to the air fryer, these air-fried fish sticks are even healthier without compromising on flavor. They are not greasy and are light meals that taste amazing. The crispy texture will appeal to kids; you can feel better about your health than a deep-fat fryer.
Getting Started
Before we discuss cook times, you can begin by preheating the air fryer. This is a step you do not want to miss if you want your fish sticks crispy and evenly cooked (not greasy). You should start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). It typically only takes 3-5 minutes.
As the air fryer heats up, I prearrange my fish sticks. Although I often just get some store-bought fish sticks from the freezer section of my grocery store, you could also use any homemade fish stick recipe if there is one that you love. You want to ensure that the fish sticks are rock-solid before cooking them in the air fryer.
Cooking the Fish Sticks
So, with that in mind, it’s time to take the fish sticks out and cook them up! Here’s my go-to method:
Layer the Fish Sticks
Spread the fish in an even layer over the air fryer basket. You also want to ensure they are spread out a bit so they cook evenly. Depending on their size and your specific air fryer, I generally fit 8-10 fish sticks at a time.
Time
Ten minutes on the clock. I also like to shake the basket halfway through cook time, about 5 minutes in. This makes for fish sticks that are cooked through on all sides.
Test for Crunchiness
Ten minutes later, test the fish sticks. They should be crispy and golden brown. I like mine a bit more crispy (2-3 minutes for me!). Otherwise, watch the tails so they do not burn.
How Long to Cook Fish Sticks in Air Fryer
But if you are like me and a massive lover of anything air-fryer-related, cooking these fish sticks will be as easy. To begin with, preheat your air fryer to 400°FBB (200°C). This will generally take you between three to five minutes. When ready, add the fish sticks to a single layer into your air fryer basket straight from frozen—no thawing necessary!
While they cook, flip them halfway through (about 10-12 minutes total time) so that all sides get crispy. Watch them towards the end, as air fryer models can be different, and yours might want a little extra to get that nice golden crunch. You can have crispy hot fish sticks in less than 15 minutes, making this recipe a fast and easy meal or snack.
Tips for the Best Results
Do Not Overcrowd
When you add numerous fish sticks to the crate, they will not be genuinely fresh. Fry in several batches if needed.
Shake midway
Shake the basket halfway through. This will help them crisp up evenly.
Lightly Spray with Oil
If you want an extra crispy exterior, lightly spray the tops of your frozen fish sticks with/ cooking oil before air frying. I sauce them only to freeze and skip this step sometimes, which gives them a little extra crunch.
I have tried a few different versions of fish sticks, and breaded seems to make the crunchiest ones. If using a different kind, the cooking time should be adjusted) One of the great things about an air fryer is that you can check on it without too much loss in heat.
Serving Suggestions
When your fish sticks are all done, serve them up! I like to serve mine with an easy homemade tartar sauce or a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice—tasty! They’re also tasty with a coleslaw side or fresh green salad. For more fun, serve them in a sandwich with lettuce and tartar sauce. Delicious!
If you like changing things up, you can even serve your fish sticks with different dipping sauces. We eat them (my family, too) with ketchup or honey mustard, sometimes spicy sriracha mayo. They are usually a full meal served with sweet potato fries, which I also make in the air fryer.
Cleanup
What is great about using an air fryer? You lift the basket out, clean it off, and then that’s all. More importantly, the kitchen has no oily pans or grease stains. I like laying a small piece of parchment paper down in the air fryer basket for easier cleanup. This little step saves me time and headaches on those busy weeknights.
Final Thoughts
Air-frying fish Sticks—How to cook a delicious crispy meal without extra oil! Whether it be for a quick lunch to yourself or even as an alternative dinner option if you have kids who aren’t really into cauliflower rice, this method is tried and true. Try it out and tell me how you do it once you have developed it. Happy cooking!
And there you have it- my guide to air-frying fish sticks. I’m sharing how to make them from scratch, so hopefully, you like making/eating these as much as I do. Let me know in the comments if you have any pointers or flavors of this soup. Until next time, happy frying the air!
I love hearing from you all, so let me know how your fish sticks turned out. What are your go-to dipping sauces for them? Swap some yummy ideas. If you have never made fish sticks in your air fryer before, I suggest you do so. However, this one is a game-changer, and it tastes pretty fabulous.
