These delicious homemade Air Fryer fish sticks are easy to make and quick to cook thanks to my new favorite kitchen appliance. Pieces of cod are coated in crispy seasoned panko breadcrumbs and cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Ready to enjoy in less than 30 minutes!

air fryer fish sticks with a bit taken from one

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Homemade Fish Sticks in the Air Fryer

Whether you enjoy these air fryer fish sticks as a dinner or appetizer, they are hands down delicious.

Breaded with panko, they are extra crispy, and the white fish inside is perfectly cooked and flakey. Serve them up with some tartar sauce or ketchup for dipping, or serve them alongside your favorite veggie or potato sides for a quick and easy Air Fryer meal the kids will love!

Be sure to try my Air Fryer Crab Cakes and Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets too!

Why You’ll Love this Quick Fish Sticks Recipe:

  • QUICK AND EASY: Simple to prep and quick to cook, you can be enjoying these in less than 30 minutes.
  • ONE POT: These are cooked right in the air fryer basket, so even the clean up is a breeze.
  • KID FRIENDLY: If you have picky eaters in your house, they are sure to love these! Fish is a great source if low fat protein and the breading is super addictive!

There’s no bad time for these delicious air-fried fish sticks! They are so effortless, thanks to the air fryer and every bite is seriously tasty!

step by step photos for how to make air fryer fish sticks
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air fryer fish sticks

How to Make Air Fryer Fish Sticks

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

  1. Pat the fish dry and cut into strips.
  2. Whisk together the flour mix in one bowl, whisk the eggs in another and combine the panko breadcrumbs and seasonings in a third.
  3. Dredge each piece of fish in the flour, eggs and breadcrumbs.
  4. Cook in the air fryer in a single layer til golden brown.
air fryer fish sticks
air fryer fish sticks
What kind of fish should I use?

Use any kind of boneless, skinless white fish. I love using cod, but use your favorite white fish.

How do I know when the fish sticks are cooked through?

The fish sticks are cooked through when an instant read thermometer inserted into the fish reads at least 145°F. The breadcrumbs should be golden brown.

How long do fish sticks last?

While fish sticks are best enjoyed fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How long do these fish sticks take to cook in the Air Fryer?

These fish sticks cook quickly in the air fryer! They take about 8 minutes to cook through – be sure to flip them halfway through cooking.

Serving Suggestions

Great served with dipping sauces, these air fryer fish sticks can also be served as a main with favorite sides like…

However you serve them, it’s guaranteed that these will be a hit with kids of all ages!

air fryer fish sticks

Tips!

  • Spray the tops of the fish sticks with oil before cooking. This will help them to get crispy and brown all over.
  • Cook the fish sticks in batches. They should be cooked in a single layer.
  • For best results, use fresh rather than frozen fish. If using frozen, be sure to thaw it fully and really pat it dry before using.

This classic recipe is always a crowd pleaser. So simple and effortless to make and I love how quickly the cook in the air fryer!

Can I make these fish sticks gluten free?

Yes. To make these gluten free, use gluten free flour and bread crumbs.

Can I bake these in the oven?

If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t fret! Check out my oven baked fish sticks instead!

What is the best way to reheat Air Fryer fish sticks?

Reheat fish sticks in the air fryer or oven set at 350°F until warmed through.

More Air Fryer Appetizer Recipes We Love

fish stick in a bowl of dipping sauce

These homemade fish sticks come out so great in the air fryer. The breading is so crispy and the cod in the middle is mild and flakey. This is sure to become a favorite!

More Easy Seafood Recipes to Try:

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe Card

Air Fryer Fish Sticks Recipe

5 from 2 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Author: Becky Hardin
air fryer fish sticks
These delicious homemade fish sticks are easy to make and quick to cook thanks to the air fryer. Pieces of cod are coated in crispy seasoned panko breadcrumbs and cooked to perfection in the air fryer.
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Ingredients 

  • 12 ounces cod fillets
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Tartar sauce and lemon wedges for serving

Instructions 

  • Spray the basket of an air fryer with nonstick spray. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
    ingredients for air fryer fish sticks
  • Use paper towels to pat the fish fillets dry. Cut them lengthwise into 1×4-inch strips. Set aside.
    12 ounces cod fillets
  • Whisk the flour, salt, and pepper together in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg. In a third bowl, combine the bread crumbs, parsley, paprika, and garlic powder.
    ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 large egg, ½ cup Panko bread crumbs, 2 teaspoons dried parsley, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    ingredients for air fryer fish sticks
  • Coat each piece of fish with the seasoned flour and dip into the beaten egg. Coat with the seasoned bread crumbs. Repeat until all strips of fish are seasoned and coated.
    breaded fish sticks in a white bowl
  • Working in batches, place fish sticks in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket and spray the tops of the breaded fish with additional spray. Cook for 8 minutes, flipping the fish halfway through. The fish sticks should be crisped and golden brown, with an internal temperature of at least 145°F when measured with an instant read thermometer. If needed, increase the cooking time. Repeat until all fish sticks are cooked.
    fish sticks in an air fryer after cooking
  • To keep the first batch of fish sticks warm while cooking the rest, place them onto a foil-lined baking sheet in a 200°F oven. Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
    Tartar sauce and lemon wedges

Becky’s Tips

Storage: While fish sticks are best enjoyed fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Calories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 37gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 155mgSodium: 816mgPotassium: 804mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 438IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)
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