Fish & Seafood
Air Fryer Fish Sticks (Frozen or Homemade)
Crispy fish sticks in the air fryer at 400°F: 8–10 minutes from frozen, flipped halfway, with no oil or thawing. Plus homemade fish sticks and tartar sauce.
Quick answer
Cook frozen fish sticks in the air fryer at 400°F205°C for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, in a single layer. There's no need to thaw them or add oil. Mini fish sticks take 7–9 minutes, and thick or battered fish sticks take 10–12 minutes. They're done when they're golden, crisp and hot all the way through.
- Time
- 8–10 min (frozen)
- Flip
- Yes, halfway
- Done when
- Golden, hot in the center
Frozen Fish Sticks air fryer times
| What you're cooking | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen fish sticks, regular | 400°F205°C | 8–10 min | No oil needed |
| Frozen mini fish sticks | 400°F205°C | 7–9 min | Shake halfway |
| Thick-cut or extra-large frozen fish sticks | 400°F205°C | 10–12 min | Flip halfway |
| Frozen battered fish sticks | 400°F205°C | 10–12 min | Single layer for crisp batter |
| Homemade fish sticks (panko-coated cod) | 400°F205°C | 8–10 min | Spray with oil, to 145°F |
| Frozen fish sticks, a full 2-layer basket | 400°F205°C | 12–14 min | Shake every 4 minutes |
| Reheating cooked fish sticks | 375°F190°C | 3–4 min | Until crisp again |
Times are for a preheated 5–6 quart basket air fryer with food in a single layer. Oven-style and very large air fryers can run 1–3 minutes slower. Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
Fish sticks are made for the air fryer. They go straight from the freezer into the basket, and in about 10 minutes they come out golden and crunchy outside and flaky inside, with no oil and no soggy middles like you sometimes get from the oven. It’s an easy dinner that kids and grown-ups both like.
How to cook fish sticks in the air fryer
- Preheat to 400°F205°C.
- Lay the frozen fish sticks in a single layer. Don’t thaw them.
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Rest for a minute, then serve with tartar sauce or ketchup.
How long to cook fish sticks in the air fryer
At 400°F205°C:
- Regular frozen fish sticks: 8–10 minutes
- Mini fish sticks: 7–9 minutes
- Thick-cut or battered fish sticks: 10–12 minutes
- Homemade fish sticks: 8–10 minutes
A crowded basket takes longer and cooks unevenly. If you need to stack them, shake the basket every 4 minutes and allow 12–14 minutes.
Frozen fish sticks
Frozen fish sticks from Gorton’s, Van de Kamp’s and store brands all work the same way. They’re already par-fried, so they don’t need any oil. Leave a little space between them so the hot air reaches every side, and flip them halfway so both sides crisp. Check the package for the size and the recommended internal temperature, and add a couple of minutes for extra-large or battered sticks.
Homemade fish sticks
For homemade fish sticks, cut 1 pound of cod, haddock or pollock into ¾-inch strips and pat them dry. Dip them in flour, then beaten egg, then panko mixed with a pinch of salt, paprika and garlic powder. Spray with oil and air fry at 400°F205°C for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and 145°F63°C inside. For full-size breaded fillets, see our air fryer fish.
Dipping sauces
- Quick tartar sauce: mayonnaise, chopped pickle, lemon juice and dill, the recipe below.
- Ketchup or cocktail sauce for kids.
- Lemon mayo: mayonnaise with lemon zest and a squeeze of juice.
- Sweet chili sauce for a little heat.
Tips for crispy fish sticks
- Don’t thaw them. They crisp best from frozen.
- Use a single layer, or cook in batches.
- Flip halfway with tongs for even browning.
- Preheat the air fryer so they start crisping right away.
What to serve with fish sticks
Make it fish and chips with French fries, or serve them with sweet potato fries, coleslaw or peas. Fish sticks also make great fish tacos, with slaw and a squeeze of lime.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftover cooked fish sticks for up to 3 days. Reheat at 375°F190°C for 3–4 minutes, until crisp and hot. See our reheating guide.
Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks
- Prep
- 1 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 11 min
- Air fryer
- 400°F205°C
- Makes
- 4 servings
- Calories
- 240 per serving of 6 fish sticks, without sauce
Ingredients
- 1 box frozen fish sticks (about 24 sticks)
- Nonstick spray (optional)
- Lemon wedges, to serve
- Quick tartar sauce: ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons chopped dill pickle or relish, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and a pinch of dill
Instructions
Tap a step to check it off.
- Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F205°C for 3 minutes.
- Arrange. Lay the frozen fish sticks in the basket in a single layer, with a little space between them. Don't thaw them first. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry. Cook for 4–5 minutes, flip them with tongs, and cook another 4–5 minutes, until golden, crisp and hot in the center.
- Make the tartar sauce. While they cook, stir together the mayonnaise, pickle, lemon juice and dill.
- Serve. Let the fish sticks cool for a minute, then serve with lemon wedges and the tartar sauce.
Notes
- Frozen fish sticks are already coated in oil, so a spray is optional. A light spray gives an extra-crisp crust.
- Brands and sizes vary. Check the package for the recommended internal temperature, and start checking a minute early.
- A 5–6 qt basket fits about 12–15 regular fish sticks in a single layer.
Nutrition is an estimate calculated from typical ingredient values and will vary by brand and portion.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook fish sticks in the air fryer?
Frozen fish sticks take 8–10 minutes at 400°F205°C, flipped halfway. Mini fish sticks take 7–9 minutes, and thick-cut or battered fish sticks take 10–12 minutes. Homemade fish sticks take 8–10 minutes.
Do you need to thaw fish sticks before air frying?
No. Cook them straight from the freezer. Thawed fish sticks get soggy and can fall apart, while frozen ones crisp up on the outside as the inside heats through.
Do you need to add oil to frozen fish sticks?
No. Frozen fish sticks are pre-fried and already have oil in the coating. A light spray of oil is optional if you want them extra crispy.
What temperature do you cook fish sticks at in the air fryer?
400°F205°C. It crisps the breading quickly while the fish inside heats through. Lower temperatures make the coating softer and paler.
Are air fryer fish sticks better than oven or deep-fried?
They're crispier than oven-baked fish sticks and take about half the time, with no preheating a big oven. Compared with frozen fish sticks in a deep fryer, they use no extra oil and still come out crunchy.
How do you make homemade fish sticks in the air fryer?
Cut cod or another firm white fish into ¾-inch strips. Dip them in flour, beaten egg and seasoned panko, spray with oil, and air fry at 400°F205°C for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and 145°F63°C inside.
Can you cook Gorton's fish sticks in the air fryer?
Yes. Gorton's, Van de Kamp's, store brands and other frozen fish sticks all cook at 400°F205°C for about 8–10 minutes, flipped halfway. Larger or battered varieties need a couple of minutes more, so check the package size.
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