If your kids love fish sticks, definitely make them this perfectly Fish Sticks Recipe! They are crunchy and flavorful with tender fish right inside! Irresistible.
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As a kid, I only wanted one of two things for weeknight dinner: Chicken nuggets or fish sticks. Back then, I wasn’t the gourmet I am now. Basically, I loved the kind right in the frozen section, especially the fish sticks.
Now I still get down with fish sticks but as an adult, I make them from scratch. Free of preservatives and all that jazz, you won’t believe how easy it is to make these.
The Perks and Highlights of the Best Fish Sticks Recipe
Cuisine Inspiration: Classic American seafood
Primary Cooking Method: Baking
Dietary Info: Pescatarian-friendly. Note that it does contain gluten and eggs
Key Flavor: The zing of lemon-pepper and the subtle heat from cayenne pepper create a flavor profile that’s zesty, spicy, and all kinds of nice!
Skill Level Required: Easy
Sweet Highlights
Spiced Just Right: The combination of paprika, lemon-pepper, and a hint of cayenne means each bite is packed with flavor.
Ocean Fresh: Opting for fresh cod fillets ensures that your fish sticks will taste ocean-fresh
Dip ‘em and Love ‘em: Whether you’re a tartar sauce fanatic or a ketchup lover, they are the perfect vessel for your favorite sauces.
Baked, Not Fried: Baking these beauties means you’re in for a treat that’s crispy without being greasy.
Key Ingredients
- Crushed Corn Flakes: They’re not just for breakfast anymore! These crunchy buddies are going to give your fish sticks that irresistible crispy coating.
- Paprika: A little smoky, a little sweet, this spice is like the cool aunt of your spice cabinet, adding a vibrant kick to the party.
- Lemon-Pepper Seasoning: Zesty lemon meets bold pepper; it’s like a dance-off between flavors right on your taste buds.
- Kosher Salt: This is not just any salt! It’s the salt with attitude, ensuring every bite is seasoned to perfection.
- Cayenne Pepper: A sprinkle of this is like a fiesta in your mouth! It’s bringing the heat and livin’ la vida loca.
- All-Purpose Flour: The trusty sidekick in this adventure, making sure everything sticks together just right.
- Beaten Eggs: The glue that binds the party. These eggs are beaten and ready to mingle, ensuring a good coat on each strip.
- Cod Fillets: Fresh from the ocean’s embrace, cut into perfect 1-inch strips, ready to be transformed into the star of the show.
How to Make Fish Sticks
- Preheat and Prep: Crank that oven up to 400° and get your baking sheet ready with parchment paper. Don’t forget a generous spritz of non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix the Crunch: In a shallow bowl, whisk together your crushed corn flakes, paprika, lemon pepper, salt, and cayenne. You’re creating a flavor-packed coat.
- Flour, Egg, Crunch – Repeat: Grab your fish strips and let’s start the assembly line. First, give them a good roll in the flour. Next, they take a quick dip in the beaten eggs, and finally, they jump into the cornflake mix, ensuring they’re covered in that crispy goodness.
- Bake to Perfection: Lay them out on your prepared baking sheet and give the tops a good spray with cooking spray for that extra golden touch. Pop them in the oven for 12-14 minutes, or until they’re flaking easily with a fork.
How to Serve
- Tartar Sauce: This creamy delight is a classic dip that never disappoints. Whip up a homemade tartar sauce to elevate the flavors of your fish sticks.
- Veggies: Opt for something light and nutritious like green beans, brussels or carrots to add color and nutrition to your plate.
- Sweet Potato Fries: Indulge in the ultimate comfort food combo by serving your fish sticks with a side of golden sweet potato fries.
- Coleslaw: A tangy, crunchy coleslaw can add a refreshing contrast to the fish sticks, making for a balanced bite.
How to Store
To store homemade fish sticks, let them cool and place them in a single layer in an airtight container; they’ll last up to two days in the fridge or a month in the freezer. For reheating, pop them in an oven or toaster oven preheated to 375°F for 10-15 minutes if refrigerated, or 15-20 minutes if frozen, until they’re heated through and crispy. The air fryer also works wonders for a quick crisp-up at 350°F, taking 5-7 minutes from the fridge or 10-12 minutes from the freezer.
Other Favorite Fish Recipes
- Fried Catfish
- Oven Fried Catfish
- Fish and Chips
- Panko Crusted Fish
- Maple Glazed Salmon
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Blackened Salmon
- Catfish Nuggets
Crispy Baked Fish Sticks
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Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed corn flakes
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
- ½- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 pound cod fillets cut into 1-inch strips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° and cover baking sheet with parchment paper and spray liberally with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together corn flakes, paprika, lemon pepper, salt and cayenne until combined then place flour and egg in two separate shallow bowls.
- To assemble, dip fish in flour to coat both sides then dip into eggs and finally into cornflake mixture then place on baking sheet.
- Once done coating all fish, liberally spray tops of fish with additional cooking spray. Bake 12-14 minutes or until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork.
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This is pure goodness, and it is crunchy as well!
YES!
Those look super simple and deliriously crunchy! I am making these this week.
Hooray they are so yummy!
I’ve always hated buying these from the store. These look so much more appetizing.
Those look perfect!! My kids would have a blast helping me make and eat these!
My Mom used to fix us Mac and cheese and fish sticks all the time as kids… these fish sticks look amazing!!
Don’t you just love that combo
Ohhh crispy crunchy and lemmony! I’m in!
Oh yeah!
Fish sticks and mac ‘n cheese were a babysitting staple of my childhood. Whenever our parents went out, they fixed us that combination for the babysitter to feed us. To this day, I love both. And I need to try your rendition of this classic childhood fave.
These look fabulous! I too, enjoyed fish sticks as a kid and love that you have provided a healthier alternative to the frozen kind – pinning! 🙂
Hooray! Thanks so much!