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Make homemade fish sticks easily at home with this simple recipe! They are a healthier option than store-bought, without fillers, and they taste amazing!
The kids will love the crunch of these baked fish sticks, and you’ll love knowing that you’re fueling their bellies and brains with nutritious foods.
Healthy Homemade Fish Sticks
While store-bought fish sticks are a convenient option, they’re often more batter than fish. Making your own at home is a lot healthier, higher in protein, and flavorful!
This fish recipe uses cod filets because they are naturally thicker in size than other white fish, making it easier to bread.
Fish is also great for B12 vitamins in a meal and cod is also a great heart-healthy food.
And finally, because this recipe is baked, not fried, you’ll know these fish fillets are a lot healthier by being lower in fat and calories than the alternative.
Homemade Fish Stick Ingredients
Breading fish sticks is a simple process that the kids can help with. All you have to do is line up the ingredients are you’re ready to get started. To make these baked cod fillets, you’ll need:
- all-purpose flour: a little to coat the fish and make the rest of the ingredients stick.
- paprika: sweet or smoked paprika work for this recipe.
- salt and pepper: for seasoning.
- egg: the second step and helps the crispy coating stick.
- bread crumbs: perfect for giving the fish an extra crunch.
- Parmesan cheese: creates an epic outer crispy crust!
- cod fillets: fresh or frozen cod fillets will work fine for this recipe.
You can also make gluten-free fish sticks with a few simple swaps.
How to Make Fish Sticks at Home
Don’t settle for anything less than the best when it comes to fish sticks. This recipe is easy to follow, you’ll be making your own in no time. Here’s what to do:
- Prep the oven
Preheat the oven to 425F, position the top rack in the middle of the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. For ultimate crispness, place a cookie cooling rack on the baking sheet to raise breaded fish sticks from the pan (this lets air circulate underneath). - Set up the breading stations
On one plate, place the flour. In another, the whisked egg. - Make the crispy breading
In a separate shallow dish, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, paprika, salt, and pepper. - Prep the fish
Slice each fillet of cod into vertical pieces. Pat dry each piece with a paper towel. - Ready to bread
To dredge, dip each fish piece into the flour, then the egg, and finally, the crumb mixture, coating both sides and pressing lightly to adhere. Place each breaded piece onto the lined baking sheet or on top of the cooling rack if using. - Bake
Using oil spray, lightly spray the tops of the fish sticks and bake until golden brown, for a total of 20 minutes, flipping them once halfway through.
Best Fish for Fish Sticks
Cod is a great option for making fish sticks because it’s a thicker fillet of fish making it very easy to slice into equally sized sticks. Other great options are Haddock and pollock.
How Long to Cook Homemade Fish Sticks in the Oven
Once breaded, fish sticks only need 20 minutes of baking time to achieve that perfect golden crust everyone loves. To make sure both sides are equally as delicious, make sure to flip them halfway through the cooking time.
How Long to Cook Homemade Fish Sticks in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes and place the fish sticks in the air fryer basket with the tray in, and cook at 400F (205C) for 8 minutes. Flip them, and cook for an additional 2 to 4 minutes until crispy on the second side (time will vary based on the thickness.)
Can You Freeze Homemade Fish Sticks
Homemade fish sticks can be frozen before baking in a lined pan and then transferred into a freezer-safe zip bag and after baking once cooled. Either way, they can stay in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Freezing cooked fish sticks is also the PERFECT way to get ahead for family dinners. You can make a large batch and then freeze them to warm and bake later.
How to Reheat Homemade Fish Sticks
You can reheat homemade fish sticks in a 375F preheated oven for about 10 minutes or in the air fryer for 5 minutes until the outside is nice and crisp.
Best Sides for Fish Sticks
Don’t forget to pair these baked fish fillets with some of your favorite sides. Here are some that we love to make:
Homemade Fish Sticks
Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 pound cod fillets
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F, position the top rack in the middle of the oven, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. For ultimate crispness, place a cookie cooling rack on the baking sheet to raise breaded fish sticks from the pan (this lets air circulate underneath).
- In one plate, place the flour. In another, the whisked egg.
- In a separate shallow dish, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Slice each fillet of cod into vertical pieces. Pat dry each piece with a paper towel.
- To dredge, dip each fish piece into the flour, then the egg, and finally, the crumb mixture, coating both sides and pressing lightly to adhere. Place each breaded piece onto the lined baking sheet or on top of the cooling rack if using.
- Using oil spray, lightly spray the tops of the fish sticks and bake until golden brown for 20 minutes, flipping them once halfway through.
Anjali says
These fish sticks turned out so well!! They were crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked and flaky on the inside – so tasty!
Andrea says
I love the coating these and that they are baked. Homemade is always the best. Yum!
DK says
Yes! My family loves fish sticks but I never liked buying the store bought kind. Now I can make them myself. Thanks!
suja md says
I tried this and came out very well, Thank You
Gus says
I made your homemade fish sticks, and they were excellent! The breading was crispy and golden, and the fish inside was tender and flavorful. I loved how simple and fun they were to prepare, making it a great cooking activity with the kids. This recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a classic favorite with a homemade touch—thanks for sharing it!