This fun homemade fish stick recipe is super easy and healthy, too! Kids and adults will love them.
Homemade Fish Sticks
Is there any seafood recipe more family-friendly than fish sticks? (We’re pretty sure there’s not!) If you have 25 minutes to prep and bake then you can make these fish fingers.
There are many variations on this recipe that allow you to keep fish sticks in your rotation for weeknight dinners. Switch up the sauce or the spices in the breading to introduce new flavors. What makes this recipe a success is choosing the right fish; we recommend cod but you can also opt for any moist, flaky whitefish.
Serve these fish fingers (each piece is only 278 calories) with a vegetable side and you’ve got a healthy dinner!
Ingredients for Homemade Fish Sticks
- Bread Crumbs: These dry bread crumbs are sold at grocery stores and will easily adhere to the egg coating.
- Salt: Use table salt for this recipe so it’s evenly distributed throughout the breading.
- Paprika: This spice is made out of dried, ground red peppers but doesn’t add too much heat to your dish. It will introduce smoky, sweet and peppery flavors.
- Lemon-Pepper Seasoning: This blend is found in the spice aisle and features dried lemon zest and cracked black peppercorns.
- Flour: All-purpose flour (the most common kind) is a key ingredient in the breading.
- Egg: A large egg is preferred but using a medium egg is also fine.
- Cod: From 3/4 pound of cod you can get enough 1-inch strips to satisfy 2 servings.
- Butter-Flavored Cooking Spray: Pam is the most well-known cooking spray that’s flavored like butter although you can also find other brands that are similar.
Directions 
Step 1: Create the breading
Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a shallow bowl, mix the bread crumbs and the seasonings. Place the flour and egg in separate shallow bowls.
Step 2: Coat the fish
Dip the fish in flour to coat both sides, shaking off any excess. Next, dip the fish in the egg and then in the crumb mixture, patting to help the coating adhere.
>> Test Kitchen/Editor’s Tip: If you’ve got stale bread, then make your own bread crumbs! Our guide to the easy way to make homemade bread crumbs walks you through each step. It’s easier than you think!
Step 3: Bake the fish sticks
Place the fish sticks on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Spritz each piece of fish with butter-flavored cooking spray. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, turning them once.
Homemade Fish Sticks Variations
- Make a dipping sauce: Our easy classic tartar sauce recipe adds more flavor while also creating a fun dunk-and-eat situation for kids to enjoy.
- Further season the breading: Adding a dash of dried dill to the lemon-pepper seasoning adds more yum!
How to Store Homemade Fish Sticks
Whether you have leftovers or want to make these in advance, it’s important to consider how long they’ll stay fresh. The good news is that storing in the fridge or freezer—as long as the fish sticks are in a resealable freezer bag or air-tight covered container—makes this possible.
Can you freeze homemade fish sticks?
Yes, absolutely! The key is to first freeze them individually on baking sheets for about two hours and then move them to either a resealable freezer bag or an air-tight container. The fish sticks will keep in the freezer for three months.
How long do homemade fish sticks last?Â
Expect them to stay fresh for three to four days after they have cooked.
Can you make fish sticks ahead of time?Â
This is a great recipe to make ahead of time. Store them in the fridge and reheat in the oven at 350° for 15 minutes when you’re ready to enjoy.
Homemade Fish Sticks Tips
What should I serve with these?
Since these fish sticks are the definition of comfort food, lean into that further with one of our best quick potato recipes that only take 30 minutes. Or, one of the 49 best broccoli recipes we’ve ever tasted to help sneak in some greens. If time is tight go for one of our favorite green salads.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Sure! All you need to do is ensure the bread crumbs and all-purpose flour are gluten-free and then follow the rest of the recipe as-is.
What fish is similar to cod?
If cod is not an option then turn to haddock or halibut. These fish are both very similar. As long as the fish you’re using is flaky and moist, it will work.
Watch How to Make Homemade Fish Sticks
Homemade Fish Sticks
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Yield
2 servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 3/4 pound cod fillets, cut into 1-inch strips
- Butter-flavored cooking spray
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°. In a shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs and seasonings. Place flour and egg in separate shallow bowls. Dip fish in flour to coat both sides; shake off excess. Dip in egg, then in crumb mixture, patting to help coating adhere.
- Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; spritz fish with butter-flavored cooking spray. Bake 10-12 minutes or until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, turning once.
Nutrition Facts
1 serving: 278 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 718mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch.
I am a nutritionist and needed a healthy fish fix. Moist inside and crunchy outside, these are amazing with oven fries or roasted veggies and low-fat homemade tartar sauce. —Jennifer Rowland, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Recipe Creator
