To air fry frozen fish sticks is so quick and easy, making the breading crispy and golden in no time at all. In less than 10 minutes you can have your favorite fish sticks cooked to a hot and crispy perfection. They make a simple lunch or dinner for the kids!
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We use our air fryer to cook all of favorite frozen foods. It takes a fraction of the time as oven baking does and most frozen foods turn out way better in the air fryer than they do in the microwave.
Air fryer frozen fish sticks are one of the quickest foods we cook in our air fryer, as they make a fast, nutritious and delicious lunch or dinner. Air frying frozen pizza, onion rings, taquitos, chicken nuggets and sweet corn dogs are more of our favorites.
What To Serve With Crispy Fish Sticks
Some suggestions for sides to serve with your breaded fish sticks are butter parmesan spaghetti or broccoli garlic pasta, vegetable noodle soup and southern baked mac and cheese.
Instructions
STEP 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400℉/206℃. If your air fryer does not require preheating, skip this step.
STEP 2: Place the frozen fish sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the wire rack with space between so they do not touch. Coat with pure oil (optional).
STEP 3: Air fry for 5-8 minutes, until fish sticks are golden brown and the internal temperature has reached 165℉.
STEP 4: Using a spatula, remove the cooked fish sticks from the basket. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, such cocktail sauce or tartar sauce.
Tips from the Chef
- For best results, place the fish sticks in a single layer with space between them so they aren't touching. This will let the air circulate properly for even and crisp cooking.
- For extra crispiness, spray or coat the frozen fish sticks with pure oil prior to air frying.
- Your fish sticks may need more or less time, as different brands have different power levels. Basket style air fryers typically cook food a little quicker than oven style air fryers.
Recipe FAQs
Air fry frozen fish sticks for 5-8 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yes. To prevent the fish sticks from sticking to the basket, coat it lightly with oil.
There is no need to flip the fish sticks when air frying when using an air fryer basket or tray with holes. If you're using parchment paper or a solid tray, flip them halfway through so both sides become crispy.
Yes, fish sticks can be reheated in the air fryer at 240 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes.
Store leftover fish sticks in the fridge in a covered container for up to 5 days.
Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 20 oz frozen fish sticks, see notes for using thawed chicken nuggets
- optional dipping sauce, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400℉/206℃. If your air fryer does not require preheating, skip this step.
- Place the frozen fish sticks in a single even layer in the air fryer basket or on the wire rack with space between so they do not touch. Coat with pure oil (optional).
- Air fry for 5-8 minutes, until fish sticks are golden brown and the internal temperature has reached 165℉.
- Using a spatula, remove the cooked fish sticks from the basket. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, such cocktail sauce or tartar sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Gloria says
Air fryers are great. All the taste and texture of deep fried food with a fraction of the calories. Perfect for fish Friday dinners.
Marta says
Thanks for making a straightforward recipe on how to air-fry frozen fish sticks. It's super helpful for those just starting out in the kitchen.
Bernice Hill says
Gosh, where was this handy appliance when my kids were small! It would have made lunch times much less hectic, especially since they all loved fish sticks!
Elaine says
This is so perfect and crispy! I'd love to serve this with my friends this coming weekend! 🙂
Tammy says
Great tips! Love an extra crispy treat! Thanks so much for sharing..the air fryer is such a time saver.
Veronika says
Fish sticks used to be one of my favorite foods as a kid and I still love them to this day. So easy to make in the air-fryer!
LaKita says
I can't believe that I haven't tried making fish sticks in the air fryer before now! They came out so crispy and delicious!!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
An air fryer is such a great addition to the kitchen. Love that my son can make this by himself after he comes back from school.
Jenny says
I can eat fish sticks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Airfryer makes them crispy and juicy. Thank you!
Ramona says
You cannot go wrong with this recipe, my kids absolutely loved it and it is I repeat in my household on a weekly basis.