Air Fryer Fish Sticks: How Long Do They Take?

Fish sticks are a convenient and tasty meal, especially for kids. You can cook them in an air fryer straight from frozen, and they'll be ready in less than 15 minutes. The exact cooking time depends on the type of fish stick, but generally, they take around 8-13 minutes at 200°C or 400°F. If you're using homemade fish sticks, you'll need to cook them for slightly less time, around 8-10 minutes. For store-bought frozen fish sticks, the cooking time is around 10-13 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your food cooks evenly and that the outside of your fish sticks gets crispy while the inside stays flaky. While preheating is not always necessary, it is recommended for toaster oven-style air fryers. If you're using an oven-style air fryer, it will likely take a bit longer to preheat.

To preheat your air fryer, start by turning it on and setting the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also set the temperature to 200 degrees Celsius if that aligns better with your model. Let the air fryer run for about 5 minutes to ensure it's properly preheated. This step is especially important if you want to achieve a crispy texture on your fish sticks.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can proceed to the next steps of preparing your fish sticks. Remember to place the fish sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray, leaving enough space between them for even cooking. This may require cooking in batches, but it's worth it for the best results.

Additionally, consider spraying the air fryer basket or tray with a non-stick cooking spray before adding the fish sticks. This will help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. However, avoid using cooking sprays like PAM, as these can damage your air fryer.

By following these simple steps, you'll be on your way to perfectly cooked and crispy fish sticks!

Single layer of fish sticks

Cooking fish sticks in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that crispy texture on the outside, while keeping the fish inside tender and flaky. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect single layer of fish sticks:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This step may be optional, depending on the model of your air fryer, so be sure to check your manual. Preheating ensures that your fish sticks cook evenly and helps achieve that desired crispiness.

Step 2: Prepare the Fish Sticks

Take your frozen fish sticks straight from the freezer. It is important that the fish sticks are frozen as this ensures they cook through properly and attain that signature flaky texture. Arrange the fish sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the tray. Make sure they are not overlapping and have some space between them. This arrangement allows hot air to circulate properly, cooking the fish sticks evenly.

Step 3: Add Oil or Cooking Spray (Optional)

For an extra crispy coating, you can lightly spray the fish sticks with olive oil or a pure oil spray. Avoid using cooking sprays like PAM, as these can damage your air fryer. Some sources also recommend against adding oil or cooking spray, especially if your fish sticks are already pre-cooked and fried in oil.

Step 4: Air Fry

Now, it's time to air fry your fish sticks. The cooking time will vary slightly depending on the size of your fish sticks and your preferred level of crispiness. For regular-sized fish sticks, set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. For larger fish sticks, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time. Be sure to flip the fish sticks halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

After the allotted cooking time, check to make sure your fish sticks are done. They should be crispy and golden brown on the outside. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If they need a little more time, you can add an extra minute or two, but keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once your fish sticks are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can enjoy them as is or with a variety of dipping sauces, such as tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or ketchup. Don't forget to pair them with some tasty sides, like French fries, sweet potato fries, or a salad.

Spray with oil

Spraying your fish sticks with oil before air frying will help you achieve that extra crispiness. However, it is important to note that you should not use cooking sprays like PAM, as these can damage your air fryer. Instead, opt for pure oil spray or olive oil spray.

If you are using a basket air fryer, spray the basket with oil first. Then, place your fish sticks in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap, and spray the oil on top of each stick. If you are using a crisper tray air fryer, spray the tray with oil first, then place your fish sticks in rows, ensuring they do not touch. Lightly spray the olive oil spray across all the fish sticks.

It is important to note that not all frozen fish sticks require oil. Most frozen fish sticks come pre-cooked and fried in oil, so adding more oil may make them too greasy. Always check the packaging instructions of your chosen brand of frozen fish sticks to see if they require oil or not.

Additionally, if you are using an Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer, you do not need to use any non-stick cooking spray.

Temperature and time

The temperature and time required to cook fish sticks in an air fryer vary depending on the brand and size of the appliance, as well as the thickness of the fish sticks. Most sources recommend preheating the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cooking the fish sticks for 8-12 minutes. However, it is important to note that the cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on the desired level of crispiness. For example, one source recommends cooking the fish sticks for 5 minutes on each side, for a total of 10 minutes, while another source suggests cooking them for 9-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

It is also important to ensure that the fish sticks are arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray, with enough space between them to allow for even cooking. Additionally, some sources recommend spraying the fish sticks with olive oil or cooking spray before cooking to enhance crispiness, while others advise against this, stating that most frozen fish sticks are pre-cooked and fried in oil.

To ensure food safety, it is important to cook the fish sticks to an internal temperature of 165°F. This can be checked using an instant-read thermometer.

When reheating leftover fish sticks, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook the fish sticks for 1-4 minutes, depending on their size and the desired level of crispiness.

Serve with sides

Fish sticks cooked in an air fryer pair well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas:

• French Fries: For a simple version of fish and chips, serve your fish sticks with a side of French fries. You can cook these in your air fryer as well for added convenience.
• Salads: Fish sticks go well with a variety of salads, such as a side salad, coleslaw, avocado quinoa coleslaw, or carrot apple cabbage coleslaw.
• Potato Dishes: In addition to French fries, consider serving your fish sticks with potato wedges, potato salad, or air fryer sweet potato fries.
• Vegetables: Air fryer green beans, air fryer Parmesan broccoli, or air fryer curly fries can add a healthy and tasty element to your meal.
• Other Sides: For a heartier meal, pair your fish sticks with air fryer hush puppies, air fryer tater tots, macaroni salad, or coleslaw.

Don't forget to include a dipping sauce! Tartar sauce, ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, ranch, and mayonnaise are all popular options. Enjoy experimenting with different sauces and sides to find your favourite combinations.

Frequently asked questions