Name: Homemade Fish Sticks
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 24 min
Ingredients: cooking spray; 1 pound skinless, cod fillets (about 1-inch thick (thawed if frozen)); 2 teaspoons seasoned salt (divided); ½ cup all-purpose flour; 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon); 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs; 1 teaspoon garlic powder

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This easy recipe for Homemade Fish Sticks results in tender, moist, flakey fish coated in a light, yet crispy exterior. Served with a side of Homemade Tartar Sauce, these baked fish sticks are far superior to anything store-bought.

Baked fish sticks on a platter with tartar sauce.

If you are striving to get your picky kids (or your picky self) to eat more fish, Fish Sticks are a great place to start.

Not only are fish sticks mild in flavor, with an irresistible crunch factor, but they also have a sticking resemblance to Chicken Tenders, which is an all-time kids' favorite. And if your picky eaters are like mine, familiar-looking food is a much easier sell than something completely foreign-looking.

Reasons to Love Homemade Fish Sticks

Quality Control. Instead of relying on restaurant fish sticks, which are deep-fried and greasy, or frozen fish sticks, which have a lot of unnecessary added ingredients, you can make your own easily with wholesome, simple ingredients you will feel good making your family.
Crispy, Yet Low In Fat. This fish stick recipe is baked using a special technique that ensures the breading is crispy, yet light. So while these fish sticks have the texture of being deep-fried, they have none of the excess fat or calories.
Kid-Friendly. From the crunchy exterior to the flaky interior to the very mild fish, fish sticks have little to no fishy taste, and their hand-held, dippable quality makes them a favorite with the kids.

Ingredients for Fish Sticks

Fish: A white, firm fish is best for fish sticks. Cod or haddock fillets are the best options, but tilapia will work. Just keep in mind they are a bit thinner than cod or haddock and may not need to be cooked as long.
Flour: A coating of all-purpose flour will help the breading adhere to the fish sticks.
Mustard: Adding a bit of Dijon mustard to the egg mixture will help to season the fish, creating the best fish sticks.
Lemon Juice: Use fresh lemon juice to add a vibrant, fresh flavor to the fish.
Eggs: Just like flour, the eggs will help the breadcrumbs adhere to the fish sticks.
Panko Breadcrumbs: The secret to crispy fish sticks is panko breadcrumbs. They are lighter than traditional breadcrumbs and give the fish sticks an incredible texture.
Seasoning: It is important to season the fish and the breading every step of the way. I use homemade seasoned salt and garlic powder to add the most flavor with minimal ingredients.

Substitutions

Gluten-Free Fish Sticks: Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free panko.
Egg-Free Fish Sticks: If you have an egg allergy, you can use ½ cup of milk or buttermilk in place of the 2 eggs.

∗ Tips for Making Crispy Homemade Fish Sticks ∗

While you will find the full recipe in the recipe card, there are a few secrets to making crispy oven-baked fish sticks and they are the same techniques I use for Baked Chicken Tenders.

Select the right pan. It is best to use a rimmed baking sheet with an oven-safe rack placed on top of the sheet pan. This allows the air to circulate evenly around the fish as it bakes and prevents the bottom of the fish sticks from getting soggy.
Be sure to cut your fish evenly, so that each strip cooks in the same amount of time. Slice the fish lengthwise into 1-inch wide strips and then widthwise into 2-inch sections.
Season well. It is really important to season the fish and each layer of the breading. If not, your fish sticks will lack flavor.
Use your hands. After dipping the fish sticks into the panko, use your hands to help press the breadcrumbs evenly over the fish.
Flip halfway through baking. I have found that even when using a baking rack, fish sticks turn out crispier if they are flipped midway through baking.

Air Fryer Fish Sticks

If you happen to have an air fryer, you can air-fry these homemade fish sticks rather than baking them. To do so, bread the fish strips as directed and spray each side with cooking spray. Place in a single layer in the air fryer and set to 400 degrees F for 10 minutes, flipping after 5 minutes. Add an additional 2 minutes if needed.

Serving Suggestions

When it comes to fish sticks, a side of homemade tartar sauce for dipping is the classic choice. I like to round out dinner by adding a side of baked fries and carrot raisin salad for a favorite kid-friendly meal.

Baked fish sticks on platter with homemade tartar sauce.

Storage Directions

Fish Sticks are best served warm right from the oven. If you do have leftovers, I highly suggest freezing them and reheating them from frozen in the oven. This will keep the fish sticks crispy and crunchy, instead of soggy if they were to be reheated in the microwave.

Freeze Leftovers: Once the fish sticks are cool to the touch, place them on a baking pan and place them in the freezer to freeze until solid, about 1 hour. Transfer the fish sticks to a freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat Frozen Fish Sticks: To reheat the homemade frozen fish sticks place them on a baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, or until warmed through.

More Kid-Friendly Seafood Recipes

If you gave this Easy Fish Sticks Recipe a try, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

Homemade Fish Sticks