Air Fryer Fish Fingers: A Healthy, Quick Treat?

Fish fingers are a convenient and tasty meal, and they can be made even more delicious by cooking them in an air fryer. This method of cooking offers a healthier alternative to traditional frying, as it reduces the amount of oil needed without compromising on taste or texture. Air-fried fish fingers are also quicker to cook than grilled or oven-baked ones. You can cook them straight from frozen, and they'll be ready in under 10 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making crispy fish fingers. It's what keeps your fish fingers from getting soggy. If you don't preheat, the fish fingers will start to thaw in the air fryer, causing the breading to get soggy before the temperature gets high enough to cook them.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-4 minutes. You can also preheat to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. This will ensure that the fish fingers are cooked through and crispy on the outside.

If you're cooking a large batch of fish fingers, you may need to preheat your air fryer for longer. For example, if you're cooking 10 fish fingers, preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F (205°C).

It's important to note that the size of the fish sticks will determine how long you need to air fry them. Smaller sticks will need to air fry for less time than larger, thicker sticks. So, if you're cooking smaller fish fingers, you may only need to preheat your air fryer for 3-4 minutes.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can place the frozen fish fingers into the basket in a single layer, making sure there is space between each piece. This will help ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Single layer of frozen fish fingers

Cooking Frozen Fish Fingers in an Air Fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen fish fingers, and the process is simple. For the best results, always cook in a single layer and ensure the food isn't overlapping.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This will ensure the fish fingers cook evenly and quickly.

Step 2: Place the frozen fish fingers in the air fryer basket. Ensure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. You may need to cook in batches, depending on the size of your fryer.

Step 3: Lightly spray the fish fingers with a cooking oil of your choice. This will help them crisp up.

Step 4: Air fry for 8-10 minutes. Check on them regularly to ensure they don't overcook.

Step 5: Once they're golden brown, they're ready! Remove them from the air fryer and serve.

Tips:

• For extra crispy fish fingers, turn them over halfway through cooking.
• If you're cooking in batches, keep the first batch warm in a low oven while cooking the rest.
• Get creative with your dips! Tartar sauce, lemon mayonnaise, or a simple squeeze of lemon all work well with fish fingers.
• Always ensure your air fryer is clean and free of any debris before cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the basket; this will ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Final Thoughts:

Air-fried fish fingers are a quick, easy, and healthy way to enjoy this classic dish. Perfect for a quick snack or a simple, tasty meal, they're sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Oil or cooking spray not required

You can cook fish fingers in an air fryer without using oil or cooking spray. In fact, it's better to cook them without it! When frying fish with oil, they can end up soggy instead of crispy.

Air frying offers a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, reducing the amount of oil needed without compromising on taste or texture.

If you're using frozen fish fingers, you don't need to defrost them before cooking. Simply place them straight from the freezer into the air fryer basket.

To cook, preheat the air fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C) for 3-5 minutes. Then, place the frozen fish fingers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure there is space between each piece. Air fry for 8-12 minutes, turning them once halfway, until they are heated to at least 160°F.

If you're making your own fish fingers, you can dip the fish into whisked egg and breadcrumbs. Repeat this step twice for extra crispy fish fingers. You can also use Panko breadcrumbs for a different texture.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for fish fingers in an air fryer depend on the brand of the air fryer and your desired crispiness. The general rule is to cook frozen fish fingers for 8 to 12 minutes at 180-200°C (350-400°F).

Some recipes recommend preheating the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes at the same temperature as cooking. This step is not necessary if your air fryer doesn't have a pre-heat function. Simply add two minutes to the cooking time.

For the best results, shake the basket or flip the fish fingers halfway through the cooking time. This ensures even crispiness on all sides.

If you want your fish fingers well done or extra crispy, you can add a few minutes to the cooking time. Check on them regularly to avoid overcooking.

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fish fingers. Thicker fish fingers may require a longer cooking time.

Reheating and storing

Fish fingers are best eaten right after cooking. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To store fish fingers, it is recommended to keep them in the freezer until you are ready to cook them. Do not allow them to thaw before cooking as this will make them soggy.

If you have any leftovers, it is not recommended to re-freeze them or to reheat them once cooled. However, if you want to reheat your fish fingers, you can do so in the air fryer.

• Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 5 minutes. Preheating ensures even heating and better results.
• Place the leftover fish fingers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; leave some space between the pieces for proper air circulation.
• Reheat for about 3-4 minutes, or until warmed on the inside and crispy on the outside. The exact time may vary depending on the thickness of each piece and the model of your air fryer, so keep an eye on them.
• After about half of the reheating time has passed, flip the fish fingers and spray lightly with olive oil or another cooking oil to ensure even heating on both sides.
• If, after 4 minutes, your fish fingers are not crispy enough, flip them over again, spray lightly with oil, and air fry for another minute or until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Be careful not to overheat, as this will dry out the fish fingers.
• Once heated through and crispy, remove the fish fingers from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Enjoy your crispy and delicious leftover fish fingers!

Frequently asked questions