How to Cook Frozen Fish Sticks in Air Fryer

Name: Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Ingredients: 8 frozen fish sticks

This post may contain affiliate links, which are always marked with *. Please read my disclosure for more information.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

No prep needed to make the best Frozen Fish Sticks in Air Fryer *, all done in under 15 minutes! Perfectly cooked, crispy & delicious, and all ready to serve with your favorite sauces & sides!

air fried fish sticks on a blue plate with dipping sauce.

Jump to:

Why you will love this recipe
What you need to cook frozen fish sticks in air fryer
How to cook crispy air fryer fish sticks
How to reheat fish sticks in the air fryer
Tips & tricks
Why are my fish sticks soggy in the air fryer?
What to serve with fish sticks
Recipe FAQ
More quick & easy air fryer recipes
Recipe
Reviews

Why you will love this recipe

It's the best way to cook frozen fish sticks
Crispy, golden fish sticks thanks to that circulating hot air
Healthier & less greasy than both pan frying and deep frying
Quicker than the oven
No oil necessary - actually, the result is better without it
Super easy and done in just 8 minutes

What you need to cook frozen fish sticks in air fryer

ingredients for air fryer frozen fish sticks.

Ingredient notes

Frozen breaded fish sticks (or fish fingers) - that's all you need. This recipe was created with the regular, thin, kind shown here. If making thicker fish sticks you will need to adjust the cooking time.

Do I have to use oil or cooking spray?

No! When air frying fish sticks I find the result is actually better when you don't use oil or cooking spray.

How to cook crispy air fryer fish sticks

collage showing how to air fry frozen fish sticks.

Preheat your air fryer * to 390°F (200°C), then place the fish sticks in the air fryer * basket
Air fry 4 minutes at 390°F (200°C), then flip the fish sticks and air fry 4 more minutes
Check to see if they are done and as crispy as you like them. If not, add a few more minutes. Then serve immediately with tartar sauce or your favorite dipping sauce!

How to reheat fish sticks in the air fryer

When reheating fish sticks in the air fryer * follow the instructions above, and just shorten the cook time. Start with 1 + 1 minutes, and add more if needed for the fish sticks to be heated through.

Tips & tricks

Preheat the air fryer * for best results
Don't defrost the fish sticks, cook them straight from frozen
Cook in a single layer - if you're making more fish sticks than fit comfortably in one layer in your air fryer * basket, cook them in batches
Cook time can vary with different air fryers
Adjust cook time depending on your air fryer *, how large the fish sticks are, and how crispy you like them - my air fryer * gets medium sized fish sticks crispy in 8 minutes, you might need more or less
Serve immediately before the crisp is gone
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days

Why are my fish sticks soggy in the air fryer?

If your fish sticks come out soggy this can be due to a few different reasons:

You didn't preheat the air fryer *. You want the outside of the fish sticks hits a hot surface straight away.
The heat was too low. Cook them at 390°F (200°C).
The time was too short. You need to give them enough time to crisp up.
You used oil or oil spray. I've found fish sticks tend to come out soggy if you use oil or cooking spray, instead of crispy.

What to serve with fish sticks

There are many delicious ways to serve these air fryer * fish sticks. Serve them with:

French Fries for a simple version of fish and chips
Potatoes
Creamy Rice
Buffalo sauce
Lime Aioli
Dijonnaise
Honey mustard dressing

Recipe FAQ

How long to air fry frozen fish sticks?

Fish sticks will take 8-10 minutes to cook, depending on their size.

Do I have to flip the fish sticks during cooking?

You don't have to flip the fish sticks, but I recommend it to get an even crisp.

How do you cook Gorton's frozen fish sticks in the air fryer?

Cook Gorton’s fish sticks for 8 minutes at 390°F (200°C), flipping them halfway.

More quick & easy air fryer recipes

Looking for more guides to air frying frozen food?

Recipe

Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks

5 from 2 votes

Print Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: North American

Servings: fish sticks

Calories: 24kcal

Cook time: 8

Preheating 5

Total time: 13

Author: Emmeline Kemperyd

Ingredients

▢ 8 frozen fish sticks

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer by running it at 390°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
Place frozen fish sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry 8 minutes, turning them once halfway.
8 frozen fish sticks
Check if they are done and as crispy as you like them - if not, add a few minutes.
Serve immediately, before the crisp is gone!

Equipment needed for this recipe

▢
Air Fryer*

Notes

This recipe for frozen fish sticks in air fryer was created in a Philips HD9252/90 Air Fryer*. Cooking time can vary with your air fryer model.

Preheat the air fryer * for best results
Don't defrost the fish sticks, cook them straight from frozen
Cook in a single layer - if you're making more fish sticks than fit comfortably in one layer in your air fryer * basket, cook them in batches
Cook time can vary with different air fryers
Adjust cook time depending on your air fryer *, how large the fish sticks are, and how crispy you like them - my air fryer * gets medium sized fish sticks crispy in 8 minutes, you might need more or less
Serve immediately before the crisp is gone
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days
Reheat leftovers in the air fryer *

Nutritional information will vary with the brand of fish sticks you use, information provided here is only an indication. Check the package for the nutritional information for the ones you use.