These homemade Air Fryer Fish Sticks are a kid-friendly classic made healthier in the air fryer! Sliced mahi-mahi or cod are breaded in flour, seasonings, and breadcrumbs, then air fried until golden-brown and ultra crispy.
Dip it in this 5-minute lemon caper sauce and enjoy these delicious fish sticks in under 30 minutes! One bite of this air-fried fish and you'll never make frozen fish sticks again!

If you've been following the blog, you know how much I love anything that can be made using an air fryer...samosas, aloo gobi, french fries, garlic bread, lamb chops, you name it. The possibilities are endless.
These air fryer fish sticks are another delicious air fryer recipe. And no, they're not pre-made, frozen fish sticks. They're fully homemade fish sticks that are tender in the middle, golden-brown and crispy on the outside, and so easy to make!
Air Fryer Facts: You can find a detailed guide on an Air Fryer - how it works, which one to buy, and what all you can cook in it, in this article: How Does an Air Fryer Work?
Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions
We just need a handful of easy-to-source ingredients from the grocery store. Here's what we need:
For the Fish Sticks:
- Fish: I recommend using mahi-mahi or cod fish fillets. If they're frozen, make sure you thaw them first and pat dry completely.
- Salt and Black Pepper: used to lightly season the fish before adding the breading.
- Eggs: helps the flour coating and breadcrumbs stick.
- Cooking Spray: coats the outside of the fish sticks to help them get nice and crispy in the air fryer.
For the Flour Coating:
- All-Purpose Flour: I use all-purpose flour in this recipe, but you can also use a gluten-free flour blend if preferred.
- Seasonings: you'll use a simple blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and dried basil to add tons of flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: use already seasoned breadcrumbs or plain breadcrumbs seasoned with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
How to Make Air Fryer Fish Sticks
These homemade air fryer fish sticks come together in just 30 minutes!
Prep the fish: Pat dry the fish with kitchen towels, then cut each filet into 3-4 inch long pieces, about 1-inch thick. Season each fish piece with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper, then refrigerate for 20-30 minutes. (pic 1)
Assemble the breading: In a shallow bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, garlic, dried basil, paprika, and cayenne. Add the breadcrumbs to a separate shallow bowl and whisk the eggs in a 3rd shallow bowl. (pic 2, 3, 4)
Note: Arrange the bowls in the following order for a convenient process: Fish sticks, flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.
Bread: Remove the fish from the fridge and pat dry again. Dredge each piece of fish in the flour first (pic 5), followed by the egg (pic 6), and then the breadcrumbs (pic 7).
Air fry: Spread the fish sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spray them with cooking spray, and cook at 400ºF for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip the fish sticks, spray again, and cook for another 3-5 minutes. (pic 8)
Alternate Method: Oven-Baked Fish Sticks
No air fryer? No problem! Oven-baked fish sticks are just as easy!
- Assemble the fish sticks as directed.
- Line them on a baking sheet, then bake at 450ºF for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Optional: broil for a couple of minutes after they cook to get them extra crispy.
Serving Suggestions
I highly recommend serving these air-fried fish sticks with a squeeze of lemon juice and with a side of dipping sauce such as sriracha mayo, lemon caper sauce, cucumber raita, tartar sauce, or plain old ketchup!
You can also fill out your meal with a couple of sides. Here are a few of my favorites:
Storing and Reheating
Air fried fish sticks are best right away but will last in the fridge for 3 days or in the freezer for 1 month.
To reheat, air fry for 3-5 minutes at 400ºF or bake for 10-15 minutes at 425ºF. You can also air fry or bake from frozen until the fish sticks are heated through.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Breadcrumbs: you can use already seasoned breadcrumbs or season plain breadcrumbs yourself with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Let it rest. After you dry, slice, and season the fish, let it sit in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. Not only do the seasonings add flavor, but the salt extracts moisture so the fish sticks can get nice and crispy.
- Pat dry. You'll pat dry the fish pieces before you refrigerate them and also after you refrigerate them. The less moisture, the crispier the fish sticks will be.
- Spray them. Use a non-aerosolized cooking spray to coat the outside of the fish sticks. This also helps them achieve that golden-brown color and crispy texture.
- Leave space. Make sure the fish sticks aren't touching in the air fryer so the air can circulate.
Common Questions
Any white, firm fish will work. I recommend using mahi-mahi or codfish fillets for this recipe.
These fish sticks take just 15 minutes to cook in the air fryer. You'll cook them for 10 minutes initially, flip them over, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
More Fish Recipes You'll Love
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Fish Sticks
Equipment
Ingredients
For Fish Sticks
- 1 pound mahi-mahi or cod fish fillets thawed if frozen
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons non-stick cooking spray as needed
For Flour Coating
- ½ cup all-purpose flour or oat flour (see notes)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika regular
- ½ teaspoon cayenne optional
- 1 teaspoon dried basil or Italian seasoning blend
For Breadcrumbs Coating
- ½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs see notes for options
Instructions
- If using frozen fresh, thaw before using. Pat dry the fish with kitchen towels. Cut fish into 3-4 inch long pieces, about 1-inch thick. Season fish pieces with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper, and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes. This extracts the moisture ensuring a crispier fish, and also seasons it.
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour with salt, black pepper, garlic, dried basil, paprika and cayenne (if using). Spread the seasoned breadcrumbs into another shallow bowl. If using plain breadcrumbs or panko, season them with ½ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper. In a 3rd shallow bowl, beat the two eggs. Note: Arrange the bowls in the following order for a convenient process: Fish sticks, flour, egg and breadcrumbs.
- Remove the fish from the fridge and pat dry once again to wipe away the released moisture. Dredge the fish sticks in seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.
- Dip the fish sticks in beaten eggs.
- Now dip them in seasoned breadcrumbs and toss to coat them well.
- Spread the fish sticks in the fryer basket in a single layer, leaving ½-inch space between them. Spray them with cooking spray and cook in the air fryer at 400°F for 10 minutes.
- Flip the fish sticks, lightly spray again and cook for another 3-5 minutes until they are light golden and crisp.
- Remove them in a serving platter. Lightly squeeze lemon juice over them. Enjoy them right away with some sriracha mayo or lemon caper sauce.
Notes
- Breadcrumbs: you can use already seasoned breadcrumbs or season plain breadcrumbs yourself with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Let it rest. After you dry, slice, and season the fish, let it sit in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. Not only do the seasonings add flavor, but the salt extracts moisture so the fish sticks can get nice and crispy.
- Pat dry. You'll pat dry the fish pieces before you refrigerate them and also after you refrigerate them. The less moisture, the crispier the fish sticks will be.
- Spray them. Use a non-aerosolized cooking spray to coat the outside of the fish sticks. This also helps them achieve that golden-brown color and crispy texture.
- Leave space. Make sure the fish sticks aren't touching in the air fryer so the air can circulate.
Leave a Reply