Air-Fried Fish Fingers: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Fish fingers are a convenient and tasty meal, and they're even better when cooked in an air fryer. They're healthier than deep-fried fish fingers, and you can cook them straight from frozen. You can also add your own twist with spices and herbs, and serve them with a variety of sauces and sides. Here's a guide on how to make fish fingers in an air fryer, with some tips and tricks to ensure they come out crispy and delicious.

Choosing the right fish

Type of Fish

Opt for meaty white fish such as cod, catfish, pollock, basa, halibut, haddock, hake, whiting, or any other variety of whitefish. These types of fish have long been associated with fish fingers and provide a nice, firm texture. Avoid using lean fish like tuna or swordfish, as they tend to dry out.

Quality

Look for fish fingers made with real fish fillets rather than minced fish. This will ensure better taste and texture. Select fish fingers that are uniform in size to ensure even cooking in the air fryer.

Coating

Go for a crispy coating to achieve that satisfying crunch when cooked in the air fryer. You can use a combination of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs for a classic breaded coating, or simply coat the fish with oil and seasoned breadcrumbs for a simpler approach.

Flavors

Experiment with different flavors such as lemon pepper, garlic, or herb-seasoned fish fingers to add a unique twist to your dish. You can also season the flour and breadcrumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, or fresh herbs like dill.

Read the Label

Always check the ingredients list to ensure the fish fingers are made with high-quality ingredients and avoid any unwanted additives or preservatives.

Remember, the key to delicious fish fingers in the air fryer starts with choosing the right type of fish and ensuring it is of good quality. By following these tips, you'll be on your way to making perfect fish fingers with a crispy exterior and tender, flaky interior.

Preparing the fish

Firstly, choose the right fish. White fish such as cod, haddock, catfish, pollock, basa, halibut, hake, or ling are good options. Avoid lean fish like tuna and swordfish, as they tend to dry out. Cut the fish into finger-sized pieces, approximately 1x3 inches long and 3-4 cm thick. If your fish is frozen, make sure to thaw it completely before proceeding.

Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Removing any excess moisture will help create a crispy coating. Season the fish with salt, and let it sit for at least 20-30 minutes. This step is crucial, as it extracts moisture from the fish, making it firmer and ideal for crispy fish fingers. It also gives you a chance to season the fish before breading.

Set up three shallow dishes for dredging and coating the fish. In the first dish, place some all-purpose flour. Season the flour with salt and pepper, and any other desired seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, chilli powder, or smoked paprika. You can also add fresh herbs like dill for extra flavour.

In the second dish, whisk an egg. This will act as a binding agent for the breadcrumbs. In the third dish, combine dried breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese, parsley flakes, paprika, and pepper. You can use regular fine breadcrumbs or larger panko breadcrumbs. To make your own homemade breadcrumbs, process stale bread in a food processor until coarsely ground, then toast in the oven at 280°F (140°C) for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through.

Now, it's time to coat the fish. Using one hand for dry ingredients and the other for wet ingredients (the "dry and wet hand method"), dredge each piece of fish in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten egg, ensuring it's fully coated. Finally, coat the fish with the breadcrumb mixture, making sure it's thoroughly covered.

Place the coated fish fingers on a plate and repeat the process until all the fish pieces are breaded. You can now proceed to cook the fish fingers in your air fryer, following the standard cooking instructions for delicious, crispy fish fingers!

Coating the fish

To make fish fingers in an air fryer, you'll need to cut your fish into finger-sized pieces. It's important to note that you should avoid using lean fish such as tuna and swordfish, as they tend to dry out. Instead, opt for white fish like cod, catfish, pollock, basa, halibut, haddock, hake, or ling.

Now, let's get into the coating process:

Prepare the Fish

Before coating the fish, it's recommended to season the fillets with salt and let them sit for 20 to 30 minutes, or even up to an hour. This step helps extract moisture, making the fish firmer and ideal for achieving that crispy texture. It also provides an opportunity to season the fish before breading.

Prepare the Coating Mixtures

You'll need three separate mixtures for coating the fish: flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. For the flour mixture, combine all-purpose flour with seasonings like salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, chilli powder, or smoked paprika to enhance the flavour. For the egg mixture, simply beat an egg or two in a shallow bowl. The third mixture is the breadcrumb coating. You can use regular fine breadcrumbs or larger panko breadcrumbs. To make your own homemade breadcrumbs, process stale bread in a food processor until coarsely ground, then toast the crumbs in the oven at 280°F (140°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, turning them halfway through. Season the breadcrumbs with salt and pepper, and feel free to add other seasonings or aromatics like fresh dill.

Coat the Fish

Now, it's time to coat the fish! Using the "dry hand" and "wet hand" method will help you avoid a messy situation. With your dry hand, dredge each piece of fish in the flour mixture, making sure to shake off any excess flour. Then, with your wet hand, dip the fish into the egg mixture, ensuring it's well coated. Finally, use your dry hand again to coat the fish with the seasoned breadcrumbs. Make sure the fish is thoroughly coated.

Add Final Touches (Optional)

Before placing the fish sticks in the air fryer, you can spray them lightly with oil for extra crispness and colour. This step is optional but can enhance the final result.

And there you have it! Your fish fingers are now coated and ready for the air fryer. Simply follow the cooking instructions for your air fryer, and you'll soon be enjoying delicious, crispy fish fingers.

Cooking the fish fingers

Now that you have your fish cut into finger-sized pieces, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to the right temperature to ensure your fish fingers cook evenly and don't turn soggy. The ideal temperature is between 180-200°C (356-392°F). Preheat for around 3-4 minutes.
• Prepare the fish fingers: Dip the fish pieces in flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them in beaten egg, and finally, coat them with breadcrumbs. You can use regular or panko breadcrumbs, and season them with salt, pepper, and other spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, or onion powder for extra flavour.
• Arrange the fish in the air fryer basket: Place the coated fish pieces in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Leave some space between each piece for proper air circulation.
• Spray with oil (optional): For extra crispiness, you can lightly spray the fish fingers with oil before air frying.
• Air fry: Cook the fish fingers for around 8-10 minutes at 180-200°C (356-392°F). For thicker fish fingers, you may need to increase the cooking time. Flip the fish fingers halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
• Check for doneness: Your fish fingers are ready when they are golden brown and cooked through. You can check by cutting into one of the thicker pieces to ensure it is not raw inside.
• Serve: Fish fingers are typically served with tartar sauce, but you can also serve them with ketchup, mustard, or a dipping sauce of your choice. Enjoy them as a snack, with a side of chips and vegetables, or as a sandwich filling with lettuce and sauce!

Your fish fingers are now ready to be devoured! Enjoy the crispy, golden treats, fresh out of your air fryer.

Serving suggestions

Fish fingers cooked in an air fryer can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

Sandwiches

A popular option is to serve the fish fingers in a sandwich or wrap. For a classic fish finger sandwich, butter two slices of bread and spread a thick layer of tartare sauce or ketchup on one slice. Place 3-4 fish fingers on top, followed by a few lettuce leaves, and then the second slice of bread. You can also add some sliced cheese to the sandwich.

For a more sophisticated option, try a brioche bun with tartar sauce or fry sauce. You could also get creative and experiment with different sauces, such as garlic Sriracha aioli or thousand island dressing.

Burgers

Take your fish finger sandwich up a notch and serve it as a burger. Try a crispy fish finger burger with tartar sauce and a slice of cheese.

Salads

For a healthier option, serve the air fryer fish fingers on a bed of greens. You can also add some boiled eggs, avocado, or other vegetables to make it a more substantial meal.

Sides

Fish fingers go well with a variety of sides. Try serving them with mashed potatoes, chips, or a side of peas or broccoli. If you're looking for something healthier, opt for an air fryer side like fries, roasted cauliflower, or baked potatoes.

Frequently asked questions