10 Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with Fish Sticks

Fish sticks are a fun and easy dinner staple that both kids and adults love. But coming up with creative and tasty side dishes to serve alongside the crispy, breaded fish can be a challenge. You want something that will complement the flavor and texture of the fish sticks, without overpowering them.

Luckily, there are lots of options for delicious sides that pair perfectly with fish sticks. From classic pairings like french fries to healthier options like roasted vegetables, you’ll find plenty of recipes here to keep your fish stick dinners exciting and balanced.

Complement with Carbs

A good carbohydrate side makes an excellent pairing for fish sticks. The crispy coating and tender white fish go great with starchy or buttery carbs. Here are some of the best carb side dishes to serve with fish sticks:

• French Fries – This classic crunchy pairing is hard to beat. French fries – whether you make them from scratch or use frozen – give you that perfect combination of crispy-on-the-outside fluffy-on-the-inside. For extra flavor, use seasoned fries or sprinkle with garlic powder or parmesan before baking.

• Coleslaw – A creamy, tangy coleslaw is another traditional pairing with fish sticks. The cool, crisp slaw contrasts nicely with the hot breaded fish. Make it yourself with shredded cabbage, carrots, onion, and a creamy dressing.

• Rice Pilaf – A rice pilaf made with chicken or vegetable broth and some herbs is a nice complement to fish sticks The tender rice soaks up the flavors and provides a blank slate that doesn’t compete with the fish

• Pasta – Buttered noodles pasta primavera or mac and cheese make satisfying pairings with fish sticks. The creamy soft pasta balances the crispy coating of the fish. Just don’t serve long noodles that are tricky for kids to eat.

• Bread – Warm slices of bread fresh from the oven can round out the meal. Garlic bread, dinner rolls, or biscuits are all great for dipping in any tartar sauce left on your plate.

Add Veggies

While fish sticks themselves aren’t all that healthy, you can get some nutrition by pairing them with vegetables. Roasting is a great way to add lots of flavor. Here are some tasty veggie pairings:

• Roasted Broccoli – Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper and roast until browned and tender. Sprinkle with parmesan for extra flavor. The bright green trees pair nicely with fish sticks.

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Brussels sprouts roasted with olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice become caramelized and delicious. The sweetness works well with fried fish.

• Baked Sweet Potato Fries – As a healthier alternative to regular fries, try baked sweet potato fries. Slice sweet potatoes into fry shapes, toss with oil and spices, and bake until crispy.

• Roasted Carrots – For a pop of color, roast rainbow carrots tossed in honey, thyme, and olive oil. They become caramelized and sweet – a nice contrast to the fish.

• Grilled Vegetable Skewers – Alternate chunks of zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms on skewers. Grill until tender and serve with fish sticks for a fun interactive meal.

Make it Comforting

Some warm, comforting sides turn fish sticks into a complete and cozy meal. These dishes make excellent pairings:

• Whipped Potatoes – Mashed potatoes beat on with butter, cream, and/or cream cheese become lightweight and fluffy. They’re total comfort food next to fish sticks.

• Baked Beans – Sweet, smoky baked beans – either homemade or from a can – provide protein and fiber. The sauce complements the flavors of the fish perfectly.

• Macaroni and Cheese – A cheesy, gooey bowl of mac and cheese just screams comfort food. And the creamy pasta is a great match for fried fish sticks. Make it more healthy by using whole grain pasta and sneaking in some veggies.

• Creamed Spinach – Sautéed spinach in a creamy béchamel sauce gives you a serving of greens to balance the fish. The rich, silky texture pairs nicely.

• Corn on the Cob – Brushed with butter and sprinkled with salt and pepper, grilled corn on the cob makes a fun, hands-on side dish to serve with fish sticks. The sweet corn balances the crispy coating.

Think Outside the Box

If you want to get creative with your pairings, look beyond the usual suspects. Consider these outside-the-box sides:

• Cucumber Salad – A crisp cucumber salad with a tangy dressing provides a refreshing, lighter pairing. The cool crunch contrasts fabulously with hot fish sticks.

• Quinoa Pilaf – For a high protein side, make a quinoa pilaf with veggies mixed in. The fluffy grains complement the fish without competing.

• Polenta – Creamy soft polenta with parmesan and herbs is a nice alternative to potatoes or rice alongside fish sticks. The textures work well together.

• Coleslaw – Asian-inspired coleslaw with a rice vinegar dressing and chopped peanuts is an unexpected take on slaw. But it still pairs amazingly with fried fish sticks.

• Fruit Salad – A fresh fruit salad with melons, berries, and citrus is a lighter pairing option. The sweetness provides balance to the fried fish.

Easy Pairings Kids Love

You want sides that will appeal to kids as well as adults. Luckily, many of the suggestions above will tempt picky young eaters. Here are some other easy, kid-friendly pairings:

• Dipping sauces – Kids love dunking their fish sticks in sauces like ranch, tartar, bbq, or honey mustard. Offer several for dipping.

• Applesauce – A classic pairing, applesauce provides something sweet to balance the savory fish.

• Tater tots – Mini crispy oven-baked tater tots are just as good as fries alongside fish sticks.

• Celery sticks – Fill celery sticks with peanut butter or cream cheese for fun fish stick dippers.

• Fruit kabobs – Assemble chunks of fruit like watermelon, grapes, and pineapple onto skewers for a handheld treat.

• Yogurt dip – Kids will love using fish sticks to scoop up a honey vanilla yogurt dip.

Perfect Pairings for Fish Stick Meals

Fish sticks are so versatile – you can truly find countless options for tasty pairings. Using a combination of fresh vegetables, whole grains, and even fun finger foods, you can create balanced, delicious meals that everyone will devour. Play around with different flavor and texture combinations to keep your fish stick dinners exciting. With the right sides, this freezer staple can be a satisfying family dinner.