Inspired by the classic dish of fried fish, fish sticks offer a dippable and delicious alternative to the more complex fried fish dinner.
Popular among both kids and adults, you simply can’t go wrong with a hearty pile of fish sticks served with a cup of tartar sauce for dipping!
In this recipe, we provide the best tips and hacks for preparing frozen fish sticks in the air fryer, combining the convenience of pre-made frozen fish sticks with the speedy and efficient cooking of the air fryer.
As an added twist, we’ve also included a quick recipe for lemon garlic aioli. That is if you’re looking to elevate your dipping experience beyond traditional tartar sauce.
Let’s get frying!
Table of Contents
Level Up Your Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks!
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
The obvious pairing for fish sticks is…tartar sauce!!
If you’d like a more gourmet dipping sauce to indulge in, try this super easy and quick recipe for lemon garlic aioli!
- Mayonnaise
- Garlic
- Fresh lemon juice
- Lemon zest
- Salt and pepper
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix to thoroughly combine. Easy-peasy, lemon garlic aioli-squeezy!
The Best Frozen Fish Sticks Brands
When it comes to our preferred brands of frozen fish sticks, we have a few favorites in mind. First and foremost, there’s Gorton’s, a classic choice that never disappoints. Another notable option is Dr. Praeger’s, known for its quality.
If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s products, they also offer their take on these crispy delights.
Lastly, Trident Seafood presents a compelling choice for those seeking variety and quality in their frozen fish sticks.
Each of these brands brings its unique twist to the beloved fish stick, catering to a range of tastes and preferences.
How to Cook Frozen Fish Sticks in an Air Fryer?
Frozen fish sticks in the air fryer take less than 15 minutes to make and couldn’t be easier! Follow these 5 simple steps.
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 380°F (193°C) and then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 360°F (182°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 2: Get your frozen fish sticks ready.
No need to thaw! Simply have the package ready to go!
Step 3: Air fry frozen fish sticks for 10-12 minutes.
When the air fryer is preheated, add the fish sticks in a single layer and air fry until hot and golden, about 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway.
Step 4: Prepare your dipping sauce!
Get your dipping sauces ready! Take out the tartar sauce, ketchup, lemon aioli (recipe below) or anything you like! Another favorite is just plain mayonnaise.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy your air fried frozen fish sticks!
When the fish sticks are crisped and cooked, remove them from the air fryer and serve them with your choice of dipping sauces.
Another excellent option, either in place of or in addition to the sauces, is a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
There’s nothing quite as perfect a companion for crispy fish as a wedge of fresh lemon. Squeeze on some juice to enhance the flavor of every bite and savor the deliciousness!
Freezing & Storage
Freezing: We do not recommend re-freezing the fish sticks.
Fridge: Allow the air fried frozen fish sticks to cool completely before adding to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: To reheat, preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C), then add the leftover fish sticks and air fry for 1-2 minutes per side, or until hot and re-crisped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can air fry frozen fish sticks. It’s as quick as deep frying but faster than baking them in a full-sized oven.
Frozen fish sticks typically take 10-12 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 380°F to 400°F. The higher the temperature, the faster the cooking time.
To air fry frozen fish sticks, simply preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C), then add your frozen fish sticks in a single layer, cooking them for 5-6 minutes on each side until they are golden and crispy.
The best air fryer temperature for frozen fish sticks is typically around 380°F to 400°F. However, this may vary depending on your specific air fryer; smaller models often run hotter due to the proximity of the heating element to the food.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 0.8 pounds fish sticks 15-16 frozen fish sticks
- 2 tablespoons tartar sauce
Lemon Garlic Aioli (Optional)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). If your air fryer has a capacity of 4 quarts or smaller, please see the note for more info.
- Get your frozen fish sticks ready.
- Air fry frozen fish sticks for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Begin by carefully placing your frozen fish sticks in the preheated air fryer. Cook them until they turn golden brown and the crust becomes crispy.
- Make your dipping sauce. A ready-made tartar sauce is the classic option, but you can also make lemon garlic aioli from scratch by simply mixing ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 clove minced garlic, ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice, ½ teaspoon lemon zest, and adding salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve and enjoy your air fryer frozen fish sticks! They are best paired with the traditional tartar sauce or the lemon garlic aioli.
Notes
- For smaller air fryers (4-quart and below), reduce the cooking temperature to 360°F (182°C). They generate more heat because of the heating element’s proximity to the food.
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, set your desired temperature and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- I used a 6-quart Instant Pot Vortex Plus to test cooking frozen fish sticks in the air fryer. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Nutrition
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