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    Home

    Frozen Fish Fingers in Air Fryer

    Last Updated: Jul 4, 2023 by Suzy Sakamoto · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Share on Facebook

    This will become your absolute favorite way to cook frozen fish fingers in the air fryer! I've included my absolutely best homemade tartar sauce that's incredibly easy to make. These fish sticks turn out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and are such a game changer for an easy weeknight dinner!

    air fryer frozen fish fingers with tater tots and homemade tartar sauce in a ramekin

    Table of Contents

    • Frozen Fish Sticks in Air Fryer
    • WHY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE FISH STICKS IN YOUR FREEZER
    • HOW TO AIR FRY FROZEN FISH FINGERS
    • STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
    • Sign up to receive our Seafood & Wine Pairing!
    • EXPERT TIPS
    • WHAT TO SERVE WITH FISH FINGERS
    • STORAGE TIPS
    • FAQ
    • MORE AIR FRIED SEAFOOD RECIPES
    • Frozen Fish Fingers in Air Fryer With Tartar Sauce
    • MORE RELATED RECIPES

    Frozen Fish Sticks in Air Fryer

    I always have fish fingers in my freezer for a quick and healthy(ish) dinner. They're high in protein and omega-3s, making them a great option for a quick family dinner.

    Not to mention the tartar sauce is easy to whip up while the fish is air frying. I make the entire dish in less than 10 minute dinner! I'm always down for fast, easy, healthy recipes with little to no cleanup. Win win!

    I'm no stranger to air frying seafood. If anything, I air fry just about any seafood variety imaginable, from air frying oysters to shrimp and of course, frozen fish and air fryer frozen crab cakes turn out just as good as fresh.

    You can't pass up easy and delicious recipes! If I'm feeling a total air fry night, I pair them with these air fryer parsnips or air fryer squash fries....yum!

    air fryer frozen fish fingers with tater tots and a fish stick dipped in a homemade tartar sauce

    WHY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE FISH STICKS IN YOUR FREEZER

    • They're super quick to whip up for dinner!
    • No need to turn on your oven or stove by making them in the air fryer.
    • Easy and quick cleanup after dinner. I'm always a fan of that!
    • Texture galore!
    • Fish sticks are a great source of protein!
    • High in omega-3 fatty acids. Unlike other quick dinner options, fish is high in omegas making them a healthier choice.
    • Fish fingers in air fryer are a healthy and delicious option for kids! My kids always bed for more.

    fish stick dipped in homemade tartar sauce

    HOW TO AIR FRY FROZEN FISH FINGERS

    Store bought frozen fish sticks.


    First, you'll start with your favorite brand of fish sticks, there are a lot to choose from. When you're looking for them, look at the ingredients to make sure there aren't too many you're not familiar with. I like to check them first to see what kind of quality I'm working with. The less the ingredients, the better quality.

    Homemade Tartar Sauce:

    Every good battered fish pairs beautifully with a good tartar sauce. This one has the best tang and it's easily made with just 4 ingredients.

    • Mayonnaise
    • Sweet relish
    • Fresh squeezed lemon juice
    • Dried or fresh dill.

    You'll also need an air fryer. This is favorite Air Fryer that I use daily!

    STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Preheat the air fryer to 400F.
    2. Grease the air fryer basket.
    frozen fish fingers in air fryer basket
    1. Line up the fish in the basket, making sure to leave room in between them.
    2. Air fry the fish fingers for 8 minutes. Flip them halfway! I found flipping them makes them crunchier.
    making homemade tartar sauce with 4 ingredients mayo, dill, relish, and lemon juice in a bowl with tiny whisk
    1. In a medium sized bowl, add the mayo, relish, lemon juice, and dill. Mix until well-combined.
    2. Transfer the sauce to a small bowl or ramekins.
    3. Remove the fish from the air fryer and plate using a fish spatula.
    4. Serve them with the sauce right away while they're warm!

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    EXPERT TIPS

    1. Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature before adding the fish. This will ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.
    2. Lightly spray the fish sticks with cooking spray or brush them with a small amount of oil to help them brown and crisp up. I like using this oil sprayer with avocado oil to keep it as healthy as possible!
    3. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space between the fish to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
    4. Flip the fish fingers halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.
    5. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the fish. They should reach an internal temperature of 145°F to be safe to eat, especially if you started out with raw fish.

    WHAT TO SERVE WITH FISH FINGERS

    Serve air fryer fish sticks with just about any side dish! Here is a list of my favorite options:

    • Sauce: Use this yummy homemade tartar sauce that comes with this recipe, or ketchup. Either way, sauce is a must!
    • Tater tots or fries. Make for an easy and delicious side to complement battered fish.
    • Coleslaw. You can never go wrong with battered fish, fries, and coleslaw!
    • Side salad. Choose another salad.
    • Sweet potato fries. We made sweet potato fries often, or butternut squash fries in the fall and winter. They're hardy, healthy, and delicious with a good sauce.
    • Roasted veggies. These will be amazing with the sauce as well!

    STORAGE TIPS

    With leftovers, you'll want to keep them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the fridge. They can last up to 2 days in the fridge.

    air fried fish sticks with tater tots and tartar sauce

    FAQ

    Can you cook fish fingers and chips together in an air fryer?

    Yes! You can absolutely cook fish fingers and chips together. Other options are tater tots and even sweet potato fries. They may need more time than this fish fingers air fryer recipe calls for, but watch them closely.

    They took just 8 minutes total for me for the fish fingers and the tater tots together.

    How to reheat air fried fish sticks?

    To reheat cooked fish sticks, place them in a preheated air fryer set to 350F until warmed through. Typically takes about 4-5 minutes. You can warm them in the microwave but they won't turn out crispy.

    How long do you cook frozen fish sticks in air fryer?

    Set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and air fry the fish for 7-9 minutes total. Time varies depending on the amount of fish you're cooking, as well as their size.

    What is the best temperature for air frying fish sticks?

    The best temperature to air fry fish sticks on is 400 degrees! The fish turns out crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside.

    Are air fryer fish sticks healthy?

    Because you're skipping the traditional deep frying option, they turn out pretty healthy! They're packed with protein, as well as omega-3s, making them a great option for families for a quick healthy dinner. Not to mention a great way to introduce kids to seafood!

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    I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! When you make this dish, please RATE using the ⭐️stars, and COMMENT at the end of the page. I love connecting with you in the comments section.

    Make sure to share this recipe (there's an easy SHARE on FB button in the recipe card!) or post your picture on Instagram and tag @theperfecttide.

    air fryer frozen fish fingers with tater tots and homemade tartar sauce in a ramekin

    Frozen Fish Fingers in Air Fryer With Tartar Sauce

    Learn how to cook frozen fish fingers in an air fryer with a homemade tartar sauce recipe to go perfectly alongside. Fish sticks are a game-changer for a weeknight dinner! They're perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and cook in under 10 minutes!
    5 from 4 votes
    Cuisine: American, Seafood
    Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
    Total: 8 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
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    Equipment

    • Air fryer

    Ingredients

    • 12-14 Frozen fish sticks

    For the homemade tartar sauce

    • ½ cup Mayonnaise
    • ¼ cup Sweet relish
    • ½ teaspoon Lemon juice , fresh squezed
    • ½ teaspoon Dried dill or 1 teaspoon fresh

    Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer to 400℉.
    • Grease the air fryer basket.
    • Arrange the fish fingers in the basket, making sure to leave breathing room in between them.
    • Air fry them for 8 minutes, flipping them halfway. I found flipping them makes them crunchier on all sides.
    • In a medium-sized bowl, add the mayo, relish, lemon juice, and dill. Mix until well combined.
    • Transfer the sauce to a small sauce bowl or ramekins.
    • Remove the fish sticks from the air fryer and serve warm with the homemade tartar sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 9mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 48IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Keywords: air fry frozen fish

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      5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    1. Gina

      September 18, 2023 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      Such a perfect family recipe!

      Reply

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    seafood blogger in the pacific northwest

    Hi, I'm Suzy! Welcome to my Pacific Coast kitchen!

    Here you will find authentic Mediterranean recipes and a variety of fresh seafood recipes that are easy to achieve, feature fresh ingredients, and are packed with flavor! Growing up on the Mediterranean I cherish our current catch-and-cook lifestyle, and my seafood recipes are tested, perfected, and easy to re-create! Subscribe to get them via email, and in the meantime you can Shop My Kitchen!

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    seafood blogger in the pacific northwest

    Hi, I'm Suzy! Welcome to my Pacific Coast kitchen!

    Here you will find authentic Mediterranean recipes and a variety of fresh seafood recipes that are easy to achieve, feature fresh ingredients, and are packed with flavor! Growing up on the Mediterranean I cherish our current catch-and-cook lifestyle, and my seafood recipes are tested, perfected, and easy to re-create! Subscribe to get them via email, and in the meantime you can Shop My Kitchen!

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