Last updated on November 20th, 2023 at 03:32 pm
Frozen fish sticks are a staple in my freezer because they are perfect for a quick lunch and can be transformed into an easy weeknight meal. Preparing air fryer fish sticks is the best way! It's so easy you won't even miss the messy oily deep fryer. Air-fried fish sticks make the easiest Fish Stick Tacos for busy weeknights, especially on those days you forgot to defrost meat for dinner. It's a great way to whip up an easy meal in less than 30 minutes.
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This was inspired by my other easy Air Fryer Recipes, Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks, and Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Rolls, and they pair perfectly with Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice.
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Ingredients
- Frozen fish sticks
- Cooking spray (if indicated by your air fryer)
- Favorite dipping sauce (optional)
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer Instructions
Select the air fry function on the Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer and set the temperature to 400°. Allow the air fryer to preheat for 1-2 minutes or until it indicates that is it preheated.
If indicated by your air fryer spray the basket with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent the food from sticking. The Instant Pot Vortex does not require any non-stick cooking spray.
Place the frozen fish sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry frozen fish sticks for 8 minutes shaking or turning halfway through the cooking cycle.
After 8 minutes check the fish sticks to ensure they are crispy and golden and cooked fully.
If needed add 1-2 more minutes for crunchier fish sticks.
Air fryer cooking times may vary by size and brand so test your specific appliance and cook to an internal temperature of 165° and your personal preference of crispness.
Serve crispy fish sticks with tartar sauce and a side of air fryer french fries.
Air Fry Range Instructions
In a full-size oven or air frying range, the cooking time and temperature may differ from the smaller countertop appliance due to the size of the appliance. When using the full-size oven you can cook for a crowd without the hassle of air frying in numerous batches. Select the air fry function and set the temperature to 400° allow the range to preheat for about 5 minutes. Place the frozen fish sticks on the air fry basket or air fry tray in a single layer. To avoid smoking or dripping place a drip pan or large sheet pan lined with aluminum foil on the rack below the air fry tray. Air fry fish sticks for 12-15 minutes turning or shaking the tray halfway to avoid soggy fish sticks.
Easy Homemade Tarter Sauce
If you love tarter sauce but don't have any on hand you can whip some up in a few minutes with just a few staple ingredients you probably have on hand.
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 2 Tbsp. dill pickle relish
- ¼ tsp. sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ tsp. lemon juice
What To Serve With Fish Sticks
- Air Fried Crispy Crowns or tater tots
- Homemade French Fries
- Air Fried Alexia Sweet Potato Fries
- Just Bare Chicken Nuggets (baked or air fried)
- Instant Pot Pasta Salad
Different Brands
My family's favorite brand of fish sticks is the Trident brand from Costco. These delicious fish sticks turn our crispy and meaty and are made with wild Alaskan Pollack. More familiar brands like Gorton's fish sticks or Van de Kamp's can be found at your local grocery store. When choosing a brand of fish stick I look for brands made with real fish. If you are looking to cut out hydrogenated oils and other added ingredients you may consider making homemade fish sticks.
Equipment
I'm using the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6 QT Air Fryer. Any countertop air fryer appliance can be used to make golden brown air-fried fish sticks, however, please refer to your owner's manual for specific cooking times and directions if you are unsure. The Samsung full-size air fry range can also be used to air fry larger batches of food when needed.
Storage
Fish sticks are best enjoyed immediately after air frying, however, if you have leftovers store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days. For best results reheat them in the air fryer simply place them back in the air fryer and repeat the cooking process until they are crispy and warmed through (5-8 minutes).
Top tip
For best results don't overcrowd the fish sticks in the air fryer. In order for the breaded fish sticks to cook evenly leave enough space for the hot air to circulate around the food properly and crisp up all sides of the breading evenly.
Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 Frozen Fish Sticks
Instructions
- On the countertop air fryer set the temperature to 400°
- Place the frozen fish sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry frozen fish sticks for 8 minutes shaking or turning halfway through the cooking cycle.
- After 8 minutes check the fish sticks to ensure they are crispy and golden and cooked fully.
- If needed add 1-2 more minutes for crunchier fish sticks.
- Air fryer cooking times may vary by size and brand so test your specific appliance and cook to an internal temperature of 165° and your personal preference of crispness.
- Serve crispy fish sticks with tartar sauce and a side of air fryer french fries.
Notes
Air Fry Range Instructions
In a full-size oven or air frying range, the cooking time and temperature may differ from the smaller countertop appliance due to the size of the appliance. When using the full-size oven you can cook for a crowd without the hassle of air frying in numerous batches. Select the air fry function and set the temperature to 400° allow the range to preheat for about 5 minutes. Place the frozen fish sticks on the air fry basket or air fry tray in a single layer. To avoid smoking or dripping place a drip pan or large sheet pan lined with aluminum foil on the rack below the air fry tray. Air fry fish sticks for 12-15 minutes turning or shaking the tray halfway to avoid soggy fish sticks.Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Yes! Place frozen fish directly on the nonstick air fry tray and air fry for 8-10 minutes at 400° flipping halfway, or until internal temperature reaches 165°.
Select the air fry setting and set the temperature to 400°. Air fry for 8-10 minutes depending on your air fryer and preference.
⅓ cup primal kitchen mayonnaise
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
2 Tbsp. dill pickle relish
¼ tsp. sea salt
¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
½ tsp. lemon juice
Dana says
Perfect, quick and easy! My kids can make these by themselves for a quick lunch or we can turn them into easy fish stick tacos.