These Homemade Fish Fingers (Fish Sticks) are easy, delicious and a great recipe for kids to help make. These crispy fish fingers are baked too, and are healthier than store bought. Put them in a sandwich, serve with a salad and chips or just dip them in your favourite sauce.
These easy homemade fish fingers are made with just 4 ingredients and are a great way to get more fish in to kids diets. Not just for kids, these crispy breaded fish sticks go great with homemade chips and vegetables for a dinner that will take you bake to your school days.
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Step by step
One: Firstly, cut your fish fillet into long finger-sized strips.
Two: Coat each piece of fish in flour, dip in the egg then cover in breadcrumbs.
Three: Place on a lined baking tray.
Four: Bake at 200°C/400°F/Gas 6 for 15-20 minute, until cooked through and golden.
Why should you try it?
- Kid friendly
- Just 4 ingredients
- Freeze well and can be cooked from frozen
- A great way to get kids to eat more fish
- Can be made with cod, haddock or salmon
What fish is best?
It is best to use a firm white fish such as cod, halibut, pollock or tilapia. Whichever fish you decide to use, try to find fish fillets that are nice and thick, as these will be able to get a good sized "finger/stick".
To prepare the fish it is recommended to sprinkle the fish with salt and leaving for 20-30 minutes. This will help the fish firm up and also increase the flavour. This step is totally optional though and will obviously increase the salt content.
You could even follow this recipe with using salmon fillets.
Fish finger coating
To get that lovely golden coating, you can combine the breadcrumbs with some paprika and turmeric. Fish finger coating should cover the fish completely, so a fine breadcrumb is best. If the breadcrumbs are too coarse, a nice even coating won't be achieved.
Panko breadcrumbs will give a lovely crunch to the coating, but if using Panko, it is best to grind them a bit first, to make them finer. We used tiger loaf bread, which is nice and buttery.
What to serve these with
Fish fingers, chips and peas! It's as traditionally British as roast beef and Yorkshire puddings! Our Air Fryer Chips are the perfect accompaniment to fish fingers. You could serve these fish fingers with our creamy mashed potatoes, some vegetables and of course, some ketchup to dip in to.
Another perfect accompaniment to these fish sticks is some tartar sauce. You can, of course use store bought, but we have made our own tangy tartar sauce that goes great with many fish recipes. To make the sauce mix together 8 tablespoon mayonnaise, 2 chopped gherkins, 2 tablespoon chopped capers, some chopped parsley, salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice.
FAQs
Fish fingers can be cooked in the microwave, but they will never get the crispy coating that comes with baking of frying. They only take 3-5 minutes depending on how powerful your microwave is. Remember to turn halfway and be prepared for a fishy smell to linger around your microwave for a while afterwards.
Fish fingers are a favourite when weaning children. They make perfect finger food as they are nice and soft and make are great for baby-led weaning. Wait until your baby can easily eat solids - we suggest trying him/her on fish fingers at around 8 months old.
To freeze uncooked fish fingers, line a baking tray with cling film (Saran Wrap) and put the fish fingers on top. Cover with wrap and freeze until completely frozen, then transfer to freezer bags. To freeze cooked fish fingers, let them cool completely and then transfer to freezer bags. In both instances, the fish fingers will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure you label if the have been cooked or not.
One of the great things about these fish fingers is that they can be cooked straight from the freezer, without needing to defrost first.
To cook, preheat oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Lay the frozen fish fingers on a wire rack on top of a of a baking tray (to catch any loose crumbs).
If previously un-cooked, cook for about 20 minutes, turning halfway through. If they have been cooked previously, cook for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway. Make sure they are completely cooked through before serving.
More fish recipes
If you’ve tried this homemade fish finger recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
Homemade Fish Fingers Recipe
Ingredients
- 250 g Fresh cod fillets - cut into 8 finger sized strips
- 2 slices Bread (we used tiger loaf) - made into breadcrumbs by blending it
- 1 Egg - beaten
- 40 g plain flour
Instructions
- Cut the cod into fish finger size pieces
- One at a time, coat the cod pieces in the flour
- Then dip it into the beaten egg
- Then roll it in the breadcrumbs so it is completely covered.
- Repeat with each piece and put on a lightly greased baking try.
- Bake at 200°C/400°F/Gas 6 for 15-20 minute, until cooked through and golden.
Angela
YUM! This was so delicious! My kids gobbled them up. Such a simple and tasty recipe, will definitely make again.
Jovita
Ah, fish fingers remind me of my childhood. I have never tried making them at home, though. Such a great kid-friendly idea!
Toni Dash
This is such a delicious appetizer for my kids! Will definitely make it again!
Sarah James
Your homemade fish fingers look delicious. I love the crispy coating of breadcrumbs and slices of fish instead of mashed up bits of fish like you get with shop bought fish fingers. Thanks for sharing.
Kylie Archer
The kids loved these for a quick and easy dinner after swimming class!
Chris
Perfect for a quick, easy and delicious lunch! I love it!
Michelle
Yasss! These are exponentially better than the frozen kind!
sarah johnson
very tasty and nice N crispy. Love these!
April
I have a hard time getting my kiddos to eat fish and they loved these.
Michelle
We love how crispy these fish fingers are and I especially love that I only need a few ingredients to make them! Great recipe thanks so much for sharing it.
Gina
Love how crispy these are!
Kate
You read my mind! My kids were just asking about how fish fingers were made and we said we would try to find a recipe. And now I have! Thanks so much x
beth sachs
Such a simple kid-friendly recipe and so much healthier than the fish fingers you buy at the supermarket. Delicious.
Danielle Wolter
I'm always looking for new ways to prepare fish and these were perfect! I love how they are crisp on the outside but tender on the inside.
Chris Collins
I never realised how easy fish fingers were to make! Such a simple recipe, love it!
Jacqueline Piper
I love fish. Can't wait to try this with halibut. I love that this recipe contains few and basic ingredients and that you give a recipe for homemade tartar sauce too! Wonderful
Andrea Metlika
These are perfect for my family. Easy to make,fresh fish and delicious!
Kushigalu
These fish fingers sound amazing. I can't wait to mAre this for my lil one. Yum
Angela
Great recipe with minimal ingredients. So quick and easy.