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Air Fryer Fish Sticks

Homemade fish sticks that are perfectly crisp on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside. This was my first attempt at making them in an air fryer, and the results were quite impressive. Dip in tarter or cocktail sauce.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4 people
Calories 1525.3 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer
  • 3 Shallow Dishes For the breading station (flour, egg, panko mixture)
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef's knife
  • 1 Tongs For handling fish sticks

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 pound cod fillets
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • cooking spray

Instructions
 

  • Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Pat fish dry with paper towels and cut into 1x3-inch sticks.
  • Place flour in a shallow dish. Beat egg in a separate shallow dish. Combine panko, Parmesan cheese, parsley, paprika, and pepper in a third shallow dish.
  • Coat each fish stick in flour, then dip in beaten egg, and finally coat in seasoned panko mixture.
  • Spray the basket of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange 1/2 the sticks in the basket, making sure none are touching. Spray the top of each stick with cooking spray.
  • Cook in the preheated air fryer for 5 minutes. Flip fish sticks and cook an additional 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining fish sticks. rackoflam

Notes

For optimal crispness, ensure cod fillets are thoroughly patted dry before coating – moisture is the enemy of a crispy crust. When breading, press the panko mixture firmly onto each fish stick to create a robust, crunchy exterior that stands up to the air fryer. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook in batches to allow for proper air circulation and even browning, guaranteeing each stick achieves a golden, uniform crisp. A light mist of cooking spray on the breaded fish before cooking is crucial for that desirable golden finish without deep-frying. For an elevated flavor, consider adding a pinch of garlic powder or a touch of lemon zest to your panko mixture. Serve immediately with a vibrant homemade tartar sauce or a spicy aioli to complement the delicate fish.