Frozen Fish Fingers in Air Fryer

Name: Frozen Fish Fingers in Air Fryer With Tartar Sauce
Total time: 8 min
Ingredients: 12-14 Frozen fish sticks; 1/2 cup Mayonnaise; 1/4 cup Sweet relish; 1/2 tsp Lemon juice (, fresh squezed); 1/2 tsp Dried dill (or 1 teaspoon fresh)

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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

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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

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.

making homemade tartar sauce with 4 ingredients mayo, dill, relish, and lemon juice in a bowl with tiny whisk

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.

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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