How to cook frozen fish fingers in air fryer! This recipe includes a homemade tartar sauce to go perfectly alongside. Fish sticks are a game changer for a weeknight dinner! They turn out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!
Plus 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, making for a less than 10 minute dinner! I'm always down for fast, easy, healthy recipes with little to not cleanup.
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. You can't pass up easy and delicious recipes!
Serve these air fryer fish fingers with the homemade tartar sauce (recipe provided!) and a side of tater tots, and a small salad.
My family was thrilled with this dinner and it was so simple to put together! Win, win!
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.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- Store bought frozen fish sticks.
- Homemade Tartar Sauce:
- Mayonnaise
- Sweet relish
- Fresh squeezed lemon juice
- Dried or fresh dill.
- Mayonnaise
You'll also need an air fryer. This is favorite Air Fryer that I use daily!
HOW TO COOK FISH FINGERS IN AIR FRYER
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F.
- Grease the air fryer basket.
- Line up the fish in the basket, making sure to leave room in between them.
- Air fry the fish fingers for 8 minutes. Flip them halfway! I found flipping them makes them crunchier.
- In a medium sized bowl, add the mayo, relish, lemon juice, and dill. Mix until well-combined.
- Transfer the sauce to a small bowl or ramekins.
- Remove the fish from the air fryer and plate using a fish spatula.
- Serve them with the sauce right away while they're warm!
EXPERT TIPS
- Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature before adding the fish. This will ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.
- 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!
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space between the fish to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
- Flip the fish fingers halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.
- 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.
SERVING TIPS
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.
FAQ
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
MORE AIR FRIED SEAFOOD RECIPES
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Frozen Fish Fingers in Air Fryer With Tartar Sauce
Equipment
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.
Gina
Such a perfect family recipe!