Transform cod into crispy, golden Air Fryer Fish Sticks in 20 minutes. My game-changing method for crispy coating delivers the perfect crunch without deep frying – and they'll beat any frozen fish stick you've tried.
This site is all about finding ways to make restaurant-quality seafood dishes at home. And these Fish Fingers in the air fryer are a great example of what a few tips and tricks can do to transform and easy recipe!
If you want to cook seafood with more confidence, I'm so glad you're here! If you're a first-timer, find out more about me and my seafood journey.
Why You'll Love This Fish Stick Recipe:
- Crispier than oven-baked, healthier than fried.
- Ready in 20 minutes!
- Works with cod or your favorite white fish.
- Kid-friendly but grown-up approved flavor.
Looking for more easy air fryer seafood recipes? Try my Air Fryer Shrimp and Air Fryer Salmon next!
Key Ingredients and Substitutions:
- Cod - the recipe calls for cod fillets, but use haddock, pollock, halibut or your favorite flaky white fish.
- Panko breadcrumbs - dried Japanese breadcrumbs add the perfect crunch, and they're essential for our breading method. If you must, substitute homemade crumbs or crushed saltines.
- Olive oil - for pre-toasting panko and ensuring our coating sticks to the fish. Substitute neutral oil of your choice.
Full ingredient list and measurements included in the printable recipe card below.
Pro Tips:
- Pre-toasting panko gives your fish the ultimate crunch - don't skip!
- Pat fish very dry before coating.
- Don't overcrowd the basket - let air flow around the fish.
- Let fish rest 2 minutes before serving.
Step by step instructions:
Step 1: Toast panko + oil in microwave
Step 2: Season + coat fish pieces
In a second shallow dish, combine all wet batter ingredients.
Dredge and coat cod fingers.
Step 3: Air fry fish sticks
Cook the fish sticks in your air fryer for 10-12 minutess. Flip at 7-minute mark.
Step 4: Rest + serve
Let fish rest 2 minutes, then serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
What to do if my fish coating falls off?
Be sure to pat fish completely dry, and once they've been dipped in the egg mixture, press crumbs firmly. Finally, be sure to air fry the fish sticks ¾ of the way through before flipping. This gives the coating time to bond to the fish so you won’t lose the crumbs when you turn.
No air fryer?
Bake fish fingers at 425 degrees for 15-18 minutes, flipping around 9-10 minutes.
What's the best dipping sauce to serve with fish fingers?
Tartar Sauce, Spicy Aioli, or Mardi Gras Mustard are some of my favorites.
Print
Air Fryer Fish Sticks
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds cod fillets, cut into 12-14 sticks
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
- 1 ½ cups panko
- 2 ½ tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Microwave panko and olive oil for 1 ½-2 minutes, until sizzling and turning golden. Stir and set aside to cool slightly. Whisk egg, flour, garlic powder, paprika and a good pinch of salt and black pepper together in second shallow dish.
- Dry fish pieces very well, then sprinkle lightly with salt. Dredge in seasoned egg batter, letting excess drip off, then coat in panko, pressing the crumbs to help them stick to the fish.
- Add fish sticks to air fryer basket, leaving space between each for them to crisp. Air fry 10-12 minutes, turning fish after 7 minutes. When the fish is finished and the coating is deep golden brown, remove drawer from air fryer and let the fish rest for 2 minutes before serving.
- Serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce or spicy aioli.
Notes
- Pre-toasting the panko crumbs is key to success with this recipe! Try this easy method and you'll never look back.
- Air frying the fish sticks ¾ of the way through before flipping gives the coating time to stick to the fish so you won’t lose the crumbs when you turn.
- Storage: Keep leftover fish sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Air fry for 3-4 minutes at 375 degrees.
- Prep Time: 8
- Cook Time: 12
- Category: Easy Recipes
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼
- Calories: 343
- Sugar: 2.6 g
- Sodium: 1256.4 mg
- Fat: 12.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 31.4 g
- Protein: 25.1 g
- Cholesterol: 101 mg
dave
microwaving will not crisp the panko.
i assume you mean airfry the panko
Christina Jolam
That's what I thought, too, Dave. But microwaving panko drizzled with oil will indeed pre-toast the crumbs. Try it! I think you're gonna like it! When I tested this method against dry panko straight into the air fryer, I like the results much better.