These Homemade Fish Sticks are so easy to make! They are crunchy and delicious so you can forget the store-bought stuff! You only need 4 ingredients to make them.
Serve these with my homemade Tartar Sauce and devour.
HOMEMADE FISH STICKS
Have you ever wondered how to make homemade fish sticks that are flaky on the inside and crispy on the outside? Look no more! My recipe is simple and makes the best fish sticks ever! Forget about the frozen stuff from the store, because you only need 4 ingredients to make these (plus seasoning). We love them with Tartar Sauce or served like my Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets, that our kids love.
How to Make the Best Homemade Fish Sticks?
- Start by cutting fish fillet into ¾" wide strips.
- Prepare the breading station in three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with egg and one with breadcrumbs.
- Dip each fish piece into flour first, then egg, then breadcrumbs.
- Fry or bake until golden brown.
What do you need to make homemade fish sticks?
- white firm fish fillets
- flour
- egg
- breadcrumbs
- seasoning (salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper mix, etc.)
Homemade Fish Sticks variations:
- bake them instead of frying: preheat oven to 375 degrees F and bake fish sticks for 15 to 18 minutes.
- use panko or crushed corn flakes for even crispier fish sticks
- gluten-free: use my homemade rice flour instead of breadcrumbs (skip regular flour step too)
- egg-free: use melted butter or olive oil instead.
What Fish can I use to make Homemade Fish Sticks?
Any white firm fish will work: cod, catfish, halibut even tilapia.
Can I make these Fish Stick ahead of time?
Yes, you can bread the fish pieces and fry them (or bake them), cool completely and freeze on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Then transfer into a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 1 month.
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HOMEMADE FISH STICKS RECIPE:
Homemade Fish Sticks Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 white fish fillets tilapia, cod, catfish, etc.
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons half and half
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup plain breadcrumbs
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup vegetable oil for frying in pan (see note for baking)
Instructions
- Slice fillets into ¾" wide pieces.
- Prepare breading station: in one shallow dish, whisk egg and half and half; in another dish, place flour; in the last dish, combine breadcrumbs with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Season fish pieces with salt and pepper.
- Dip each fish stick in flour first, then egg mixture, then finally in breadcrumbs. Coat evenly, shake of excess. Repeat with all fish pieces. Set them on a plate next to stove. Prepare another plate with a paper towel.
- To fry in pan: heat up vegetable oil in pan. Fry fish sticks in batches, until golden brown. Remove onto paper towel lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- To bake: preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake fish sticks on parchment paper lined baking sheet for 15 to 18 minutes.
Carmen says
Oh my gracious. Did I just have a blast from the past? These are delicious! Reminiscent of my childhood but 50 times better. I made the tartar sauce, too. I was too busy eating to snap a picture. 🙂 I used a thin rock fish filet. Perfect!
Anna says
Yay! Best comment ever! I am so glad the fish sticks were a hit. Thank you, Carmen!
Debi says
I am not a huge fish eater but these sound yummy. However, since I m not a fish eater I don't know what fish would be good? I eat McDonald fish and I think that's cod. But if you have a suggestion I'd like to hear it.
Jaye says
Cod is a great choice. Not ‘fishy’. Frozen, and many restaurants use cod fish sticks, sandwiches, and also
fish -n- chips.
Molly says
How many pounds is 2 filets? I've got 2 lbs of fish. I'm guessing I'll need to double the breading part? Thanks!
Reem Chaudhry says
Absolytely delicious. My kids ate every last night. Thank you so much!!
Amanda says
Any dairy free replacement suggestions?
Natasha says
Haven’t made them yet, but I’m going to try them with full fat oat milk (for half and half) and panko breadcrumbs (for plain breadcrumbs)
Michelle says
These are amazing! So easy and delicious. I made with my 11 year old who likes fish and loved these. My 9 year old doesn't like fish but liked these fish sticks 🙂 I've used this breading process for other dishes, but never with cream or half and half mixed in with the egg. I think that's the secret to such a great crunchy coating.
Anna says
That is the best review ever! I am always so happy to see comments from moms that the kiddos love the dish! Thank you so much, Michelle!
Abby says
I'm about To try it with halibut I'll let you know how it turns out but super excited to try
Anna says
I hope you love the fish sticks, Abby!
Angela says
I was struggling to come up with an idea for dinner & my friend said "oh just feed the kids fish sticks". Great idea except I have never fed my kids fish sticks. He said "knowing you, you will make them homemade" and I went on a search and came across this recipe. Now, my kids are not fish eaters (ages 16, 13 & 10 - we lived overseas in a 3rd world country for 7 years so fish quality was always questionable) but when I ask for dinner suggestions and no one has any, you eat what I make with no complaints. Let me just say, they devoured these! I used cod & tilapia so they did have a "choice" lol. The only change was I used Old Bay seasoning instead of the Italian seasoning. This paired with the tartar sauce recipe is a win/win!
Teresa says
Could I use grouper?
Bill Dennen says
I have been a longtime fan of Friday night fish sticks and beans from the time I was a kid. Over this years they have shrunk by 1/3. Real skimpy. So I decided to try yours and was tickled to find out how easy they are to make and enjoy. Now it’s back to Friday night fish fry in my house. Thank you
Anna says
Hi Bill! Nothing beats homemade, right? I am so glad you were able to bring back a favorite with my recipe. Thank you so much for giving it a try! Have a wonderful week!
Priscilla mathew says
Ur recipe is truly great anna i know ill enjoy it like everyone did
K says
How do you reheat if you freeze these?
Nicole says
I tried this method and my fish sticks were never better. Thank you. Also, the air fryer doesn't dry out the fish sticks.
Anna says
Thank you for trying my recipe, Nicole!
Linda says
Good, I was hoping someone would mention air fryer because that's how I would prefer to cook them...any idea how long to cook?
Mallory Lanz says
This is the only way I can get my kids to eat fish. Thanks for a great recipe.
Anna says
Thanks, Mallory!
Toni says
Oh my gosh the crust on these homemade fish sticks is to die for! I'm so happy to be able to make these at home!
Aimee Shugarman says
These turned out perfect. My kids gobbled them up!
Anna says
Awesome! I am so glad they were a hit!
suzy says
These are ten times better than the frozen kind!
Natasha says
Yummy quick lunch for the summer! Can’t wait to try these!!
Anna says
Thanks, Natasha!