No ratings yet

Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the Privacy Policy & Cookie Policy.

One of the most amazing things about an air fryer is being able to take frozen bagged foods and turn them into homemade food quite easily.

From frozen pizza rolls to air fried frozen mozzarella sticks, the golden brown crust right out of the air fryer basket makes having an air fryer totally worth it.

These frozen fish fingers (say that three times fast!) turn from mushy white fish to crispy fish sticks. Serve up some canned peaches and some French fries, and bam!

frozen fish sticks in air fryer

The perfect weeknight-friendly and kid-friendly meal that has a prep and cooking time of under 15 minutes.

While I am definitely an advocate for homemade fish sticks with egg mixture and panko crumbs if you have the time, deep frying is an incredibly messy hassle and totally unnecessary once you discover this great way to handle a busy night.

Frozen Fish Sticks in Air Fryer

This air fryer fish stick recipe produces a golden brown and crispy crust while maintaining the soft, tender fish on the inside. No spray oil or cooking spray is needed, and unlike oven-baked fish, no aluminum foil.

Just the air fryer basket, a piece of fish, and a condiment dipping sauce.

Ingredients

  • Frozen fish sticks (keep frozen)
  • tartar sauce and fresh lemon, optional for serving
  1. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 390 degrees. No nonstick spray is needed.
  2. Place a single layer of fish sticks in the basket. The brand I used in this recipe is Gorton’s.
  3. Heat fish sticks on an Air Crisp (Ninja Foodi) or Air Fryer (depending on brand) for 4 minutes at 390.
  4. Shake and flip the fish sticks and return them to Air Crisp basket with additional cook times of 4 minutes at 390.
  5. Carefully remove from the air fryer basket and serve with fresh lemon juice and jarred or homemade tartar sauce. 
air fried frozen fish sticks

Can Frozen Fish Sticks Be Seasoned?

I think any frozen food item can be made homemade with some seasoning.

Add garlic powder, onion powder, or Old Bay seasoning to frozen fish sticks to bang out a little more flavor.

frozen fish sticks with tartar sauce

Great Options for Air Fryer Recipes

Need more easy weeknight dinner options? Easy dinners often start in the frozen section, and there is no need to feel guilty about that!

It’s hardly a week that goes by when our family doesn’t hit at least a night out to eat, a pantry-boxed food, and a frozen meal.

Cooked fish sticks and tater tots are a delicious way to enjoy dinner, but air fryer frozen chicken strips and air fried corn dogs are also beloved by many.

If you are looking for a new air fryer for things like cod fillets and fish fillets, we love ours. It’s the Ninja Foodi all-in-one 6.5 quart.

We also own an 8 quart but have found the 6.5 quart meets all our needs with less bulk.

No ratings yet

Frozen Fish Sticks in Air Fryer


Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Frozen Fish sticks come alive with golden brown crust and tender soft white meat when cooked in the Air Fryer. Sometimes you just do not want to cook and making fish sticks in the oven with soft melting centers and golden crispy outsides allows you to feel a lot less guilty about that decision. Freezer foods taste practically homemade with heart healthy air frying. Once you learn how to cook air fried fish sticks (right from frozen freezer box), this method will have your heart. All the air fryer needs is the right timing and this recipe for frozen to fresh fish sticks will help get you there! Serve Air Fried fish sticks with ranch, tartar sauce, cucumber dip, Dijon mustard or ketchup. 

Ingredients
 

  • frozen fish sticks keep frozen
  • tartar sauce and fresh lemon optional for serving

Instructions

  • Cooking Fish Sticks in Air Fryer
  • Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 390 degrees.
  • Place a single layer of FROZEN fish sticks into the basket.
  • Heat air crisp basket on Air Crisp/Air Fryer for 4 minutes at 390.
  • Shake and flip fish sticks and return to Air Crisp basket for an additional cook time of 4 minutes at 390.
  • Carefully remove fish sticks from basket (tongs work great) and serve with fresh lemon and tartar sauce.

Notes

Fun Tip: Serve fish sticks with tater tots or French fries and canned peaches for a truly 1980’s lunch!
6 sticks is considered one serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 431mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g

Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.

Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying of full recipe to any social media is prohibited.

Did You Make This Recipe?

Make sure to follow Salty Side Dish on Pinterest and rate the recipe here and make sure to leave a comment below!

No ratings yet

Leave A Comment

Have a question or want to provide feedback? Share your recipe reviews or questions here and I will do my best to help!

Recipe Rating