Frozen fish sticks are a quintessential freezer staple for many families. With their crispy exterior and tender white fish interior, fish sticks make for a quick, easy and delicious meal or snack While deep frying yields the crunchiest results, baking frozen fish sticks in the oven is a healthier cooking method that still produces deliciously golden sticks.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook frozen fish sticks in the oven perfectly every time. From ideal oven temperatures to recommended cook times to handy tips and tricks, we’ve got you covered on creating this freezer favorite without all the oil and mess of frying Let’s dive right in!
Why Bake vs Fry Your Fish Sticks?
The most conventional way to prepare frozen fish sticks is to deep fry them, resulting in an ultra crispy crust surrounding the tender fish inside. However, frying comes with a few downsides
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It requires heating up a pot of oil on the stovetop which can be messy and dangerous. Not to mention it uses a lot more oil than the oven method.
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Frying fish sticks leads to an oily and greasy texture. Baking helps the breading get crispy while keeping the interior light.
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Deep fried foods absorb more oil, meaning they are higher in calories than their oven-baked counterpart.
Baking frozen fish sticks delivers on all the crispy, golden brown deliciousness without the excess oil and calories. The oven heat thoroughly cooks the fish while crisping up the breading. Let’s look at how to do it right.
How to Cook Frozen Fish Sticks in the Oven
Follow these simple instructions for baking frozen fish sticks in the oven:
Ingredients
- Frozen fish sticks (any brand works!)
- Non-stick cooking spray or oil
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper (optional)
Directions
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Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). This high heat helps the breading get ultra crispy.
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with non-stick spray or oil. The parchment prevents sticking.
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Arrange fish sticks in a single layer on the baking sheet, making sure not to overcrowd them.
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Lightly coat the fish sticks with non-stick spray or oil. This gives the breading a crispy texture.
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Bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown. Refer to package instructions too.
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Let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow the interior to finish cooking.
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Enjoy! Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like tartar sauce, ketchup, or ranch.
That’s all there is to it! By following these easy oven-baking instructions, you can enjoy deliciously crispy fish sticks sans all the oil and mess of frying.
![Baked fish sticks fresh from oven][]
Golden brown baked fish sticks fresh from the oven. Image: Getty Images
Handy Tips for Perfect Oven Baked Fish Sticks
Follow these handy tips and tricks to get the best results when baking frozen fish sticks:
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. Arrange fish sticks in a single layer with space between each for even browning.
- Rotate the pan halfway through baking. This ensures even cooking on all sides.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Add a spritz of non-stick spray before baking for extra crispy results.
- For ultimate crunch, brush the fish sticks with a touch of oil before baking.
- Adjust cook times as needed based on thickness of the fish sticks. Thicker sticks may need a few extra minutes.
- Don’t forget to flip! Halfway through, flip each fish stick over for evenly browned breading.
- Check internal temperature with a food thermometer to ensure they are fully cooked. Fish should reach 145°F (63°C).
- Let cooked fish sticks rest for 2-3 minutes before eating to allow the heat to distribute evenly.
Follow these tips and you’ll have crunchy, golden baked fish sticks from your oven in no time flat.
Choosing the Best Fish Sticks for Baking
Not all frozen fish sticks are created equal when it comes to crisping up nicely in the oven. Here are the best qualities to look for when selecting fish sticks for baking:
- Whole fillets – Fish sticks made from whole fillets rather than minced or chopped fish bake up with better texture.
- Thicker cut – Thicker cut fish sticks will bake more evenly and avoid becoming dried out. Around 1/2 inch thick is ideal.
- Crunchy breading – Look for fish sticks with crispy, crunchy breading formulas like panko or cornmeal that get ultra crispy in the oven.
- Sturdy sticks – Fish sticks that feel heavy for their size will hold up better than thin, spindly sticks.
- Minimal additives – Fish sticks with a straightforward ingredient list bake better than those loaded with preservatives and additives.
Once you know what qualities make the best oven-baked fish sticks, it’s easy to select a great option at the grocery store. High quality fish sticks like Gorton’s Crunchy Breaded Fish Sticks check all the right boxes.![Gorton’s crunchy breaded fish sticks package][]
Gorton’s Crunchy Breaded Fish Sticks are made with 100% whole wild-caught Alaska Pollock fillets and bake up crispy.
These sticks consist of whole wild-caught Alaska pollock fillets coated in a hearty crunchy breading perfect for the oven. Many reviewers praise how crispy they get when baked. The sturdy sticks contain no fillers, hold their shape nicely and deliver on satisfying crunch. It’s no wonder Gorton’s sticks are a favorite for baking.
Cooking Frozen Fish Sticks from Frozen
Good news – there’s no need to thaw fish sticks before cooking them in the oven! The frozen fish sticks can go straight from freezer to oven for quick and easy meals.
However, a few small adjustments are needed when baking frozen fish sticks:
- Add 2-3 minutes to the cook time to account for the frozen state.
- Use parchment paper for easiest release when fish sticks are fully frozen.
- Increase oven temperature by 25°F which boosts browning on frozen items.
- Spray sticks with oil before cooking for extra browning and crunch.
As long as you follow the package instructions for frozen fish sticks and adjust oven temperature and time accordingly, you’ll have amazing results baking from frozen.
Pairing Fish Sticks with Favorite Flavors
Besides being perfect solo, baked fish sticks pair deliciously with all kinds of flavors and ingredients. Get creative with these tasty pairings:
- Tartar sauce or creamy ranch for dipping.
- Spritz with fresh lemon before serving.
- Sandwich between rolls with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce.
- Crunch up on top of salads.
- Mix into tacos with zesty slaw and sauce.
- Add to mac and cheese for a crunchy twist.
- Slice up into seafood chowder.
- Top with cheese and bake into melty fish stick nachos.
With so many options for customizing, baked fish sticks work for any meal or craving.
Satisfying Kid-Friendly Meals
Because of their mild flavor and crispy fun texture, fish sticks are understandably a hit with kids. Baking fish sticks in the oven allows you to feel good about serving this kid fave.
Here are some tips for getting kids excited about enjoying baked fish sticks:
- Allow kids to dip the fish sticks themselves in their favorite sauces.
- Make faces or designs out of sliced veggies to accompany the fish sticks.
- Involve kids in coating or breading the fish before baking for added fun.
- Bake an over-the-top fish stick nacho plate complete with their favorite toppings.
- Skewer fish sticks onto frilly toothpicks for a fun presentation.
Thanks to their mild flavor and crispy texture, baked fish sticks satisfy kids while providing a good source of protein and nutrition. Introducing more seafood is a great way to expand kids’ palates.
The Takeaway
Baking frozen fish sticks in the oven results in crunchy,
Who invented Fish Sticks? A brief history:
There were decades of work that went into making fish sticks what they are today—crunchy, convenient, and loved by many. A man named Clarence Birdseye came up with a way to freeze food in the late 1920s. He put it between two metal plates at -13 degrees F and put them against a low convection tunnel.
Birdseye tried to freeze fish fillets, but they turned into a solid block that broke into chewy pieces when they were taken apart to use. Undeterred, these fish slabs were sold as “fishbricks,” with unsurprisingly limited success.
In the 1950s, after three years of work at Bird’s Eye’s seafood laboratories in Boston on turning “fishbricks” into fish sticks, the idea finally worked. The fish blocks that were frozen were cut into slices. An egg, flour, salt, and spice batter was used to cover them, and then breadcrumbs were used to cover them. Next, they were fried to set the coating.
Finally, on October 2, 1953, General Mills released these perfected fish sticks in the United States under the Bird’s Eye brand. They were an instant hit. A newspaper article even claimed fish sticks as “the most outstanding event” in seafood since the early 1930s. One year later, in 1954, 68 companies in America were producing fish sticks!.
Today, fish sticks are a must-have for many people all over the world, from the US to England to Germany. They can’t get enough of them! And now you can make them even healthier at home!
WHAT is a good side for fish sticks?
There are a lot of tasty sides that you can serve with this baked fish sticks recipe. You can eat them as a snack or for dinner with these sides:
In the UK, fishsticks are sticks of firm white fish, usually cod, that have been battered and covered in breadcrumbs. They are usually eaten with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or ketchup. In the 1950s, fish sticks were created as a frozen food convenience item. They quickly became popular as an easy-to-make finger food for kids in both the US and UK. Today, frozen fishsticks are still popular, as are homemade fish sticks made in the oven or air fryer.
Different kinds of fish are used to make fish sticks, but white fish that is firm and meaty is almost always used. You can use mild, firm fish like tilapia, halibut, or haddock instead of cod filets in this recipe.
When you make your own fish sticks, you can enjoy the health benefits of eating whole fish without having to deep fry them. Fish sticks are an excellent source of protein and highly nutritious. Cod, in particular, is a rich source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. It is also low in calories and contains very small amounts of fat. These fish sticks are baked or air-fried to keep them healthy. They are a much better choice than pre-made and frozen fish sticks that are processed, high in sodium, and often deep-fried.
Yes, almost all frozen fish sticks are made from Alaska pollock, a white, meaty fish that tastes like cod and is also used to make fake crab. These homemade fish sticks are 100% real fish made from cod fillets.
One of the most popular options for dipping sauces when it comes to fish sticks is tartar sauce. Try my Homemade Tartar Sauce if you want to take the flavor of your homemade fish sticks to the next level. It’s rich, creamy, and tangy, and the best part is that it only takes 5 minutes to make.
These fishsticks aren’t like other ones. They are homemade and crispy. The flour and panko coating are seasoned with a tasty mix of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. However, many times store-bought fish sticks are pretty bland – that’s why I love this recipe!.
Homemade fish sticks are not processed at all – they are brimming with good-for-you protein and nutrients. But almost all store-bought fish sticks are made with processed and artificial ingredients that help them last longer. They are also usually fried in fats that are bad for you.
Fish fingers are an excellent source of protein, omega-3 for heart health, and vitamin D. However, they are coated in a flour and breadcrumb mixture that has carbs, so people with diabetes will need to watch how much they eat.
Most fish sticks you order at restaurants are deep fried. Fish sticks that have been frozen are also fried. After being battered and breaded, they are put into a hot oil bath for about one minute to seal the coating. This lets you reheat the fish sticks at home. Because these fish sticks are baked instead of fried, they are better for you, and you’ll love how crispy they get!
Baked breaded fish is full of healthy protein and nutrients, as well as heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Baked fish is far healthier for you than salted, dried, or fried fish.
How To Cook: Frozen Fish Sticks in the Oven
How do you cook frozen fish sticks?
Preheat your oven to the temperature recommended on the fish sticks packaging. Typically, it’s around 425°F (220°C). Line your baking sheet or pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This will make cleaning up a breeze. Arrange the frozen fish sticks on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each piece for even cooking.
How can I prepare fish for kids?
This is really dependent on the personal preference of your children. Some children will eat fish the same way adults do for others you may need to make this more interesting by creating things like homemade fishcakes, fish burger patties, fish balls or by adding this to toast or even pasta. Involving your children in the preparation and cooking process can also encourage them to consume the fish.
How long do you cook fish sticks in the oven?
Pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for the recommended time, usually 10-15 minutes. Flip the fish sticks halfway through to ensure even browning. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the fish sticks cool for a couple of minutes. Be careful as they will be piping hot!
Can you cook frozen fish in the oven?
Cooking frozen fish in the oven is simple and yields delicious results. Here’s how to do it: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure a nicely browned exterior. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. Remove the frozen fish fillets from their packaging.