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You are here: Home / Recipes / Kids

Air Fryer Fish Fingers

📋 Modified: Feb 6, 2025 Published: Jun 12, 2024 by 👩🏻‍🍳 Jami Powell · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Easy Air Fryer Fish Fingers are crispy, golden, and ready in under 15 minutes. This air fryer recipe uses minimal oil for a healthier crunch, making it a perfect kid-friendly meal or quick snack. Pair them with tartar sauce for a fast and delicious bite!

We also love serving these with a side of Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges and Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Green Beans.

Air fryer fish fingers hero shot close up with lemon and tartar sauce

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Crispy air fryer fish fingers are a healthier take on the classic fish sticks, offering a crispy texture without the need for deep frying. Once a popular children's meal, these homemade fish fingers have become a favorite for all ages due to their simplicity and taste.

If you like this recipe, you may also love our Grouper Cheeks Recipe or Crispy Crab Bites.

Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Air Fryer Fish Finger Ingredients
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Fish Fingers
  • Expert Tips for Success
  • Storage
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love ♥️
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Share Your Thoughts

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Deliciously Crispy Coating: The combination of panko and regular breadcrumbs creates a perfect crunch.
  • Healthy Cooking Method: Air frying reduces the need for excessive oil, making it a healthier choice.
  • Quick and Easy: Ready in just 25 minutes, ideal for busy weeknights.
  • Family-Friendly: Loved by both kids and adults, perfect for family meals. Our Texas Toast Pizza and Broccoli Patties are also family favorites.

Air Fryer Fish Finger Ingredients

Air fryer fish fingers ingredient shot.
  • Cod Fillets: Thawed for even cooking.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Helps the coating stick to the fish.
  • Eggs: Beat them well to use as a binder.
  • Panko and Italian Style Breadcrumbs: Provides a crispy texture. Love Panko crusted fish? Try our Easy Lemon Garlic Baked Halibut.
  • Cooking Spray: Avocado oil or olive oil adds a nice golden finish.

A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Cod Fillets: Substitute with haddock or tilapia.
  • Egg: Try buttermilk to coat the fish before dredging in breadcrumbs. It helps the coating stick and adds a slight tangy flavor.

How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Fish Fingers

Air fryer fish fingers being patted dry

STEP ONE: Prepare the Cod Fillets

Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels.

Air fryer fish fingers cut into finger shapes

STEP TWO: Prepare the Breading Stations

Cut the fillets into finger-sized strips

Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mix of panko and regular breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Air fryer fish fingers dredging station

STEP THREE: Bread the Fish Fingers

Dredge each fish strip in flour, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally coat with the breadcrumb mixture.

Air fryer fish fingers breaded

STEP FOUR: Air Fry the Fish Fingers

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and place the fish fingers in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding; you may need to cook in batches.

Spray the tops of the fish fingers with cooking spray and cook in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 9-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately with ketchup or tartar sauce for dipping. Add lemon wedges if desired.

Expert Tips for Success

👩‍🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!

✔️ DO Ensure the fish strips are well dried before breading.
✔️ DO Lightly spray the breaded fish fingers with cooking spray before air frying.
❌ DON'T: Overcrowd the air fryer basket—leave space between each piece for even cooking and maximum crunch.

Storage

Store leftover fish fingers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes until crispy. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Reheat straight from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 6-8 minutes until hot and crispy.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use frozen fish for this recipe?

Yes, just make sure to thaw the fish completely before breading and cooking.

How do I prevent the fish fingers from sticking to the air fryer basket?

Spraying the basket with cooking spray and flipping the fish fingers halfway through cooking will help prevent sticking.

Can I make these fish fingers gluten-free?

Yes, simply use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.

Air fryer fish fingers close up feature image with lemon and tartar sauce

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📖 Recipe

Air fryer fish fingers close up feature image with lemon and tartar sauce

Air Fryer Fish Fingers

Jami Powell
Easy Air Fryer Fish Fingers are crispy, golden, and ready in under 15 minutes. This air fryer recipe uses minimal oil for a healthier crunch, making it a perfect kid-friendly meal or quick snack. Pair them with tartar sauce for a fast and delicious bite!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Snack
Cuisine American, Kids
Servings 4
Calories 376 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Three Mixing Bowls
  • Cooking Spray
  • Paper towels
  • Knife

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ lbs cod fillets frozen and thawed
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • cooking spray

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  • Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels and cut them into finger-sized strips.
  • Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mix of panko and regular breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Dredge each fish strip in flour, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
  • Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and place the fish fingers in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding; you may need to cook in batches.
  • Spray the tops of the fish fingers with cooking spray.
  • Cook in the air fryer for 9-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
  • Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately with tartar sauce or ketchup for dipping. Add lemon wedges if desired.

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Notes

Storage Store any leftover fish fingers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Freeze Flash freeze fish fingers for about 1-2 hours or until they are solid. Transfer the frozen fish fingers to a freezer-safe bag or container.
Reheat To reheat, place air fryer fish fingers in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes until warmed through and crispy. If cooking from frozen, heat to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 12-15 minutes flipping halfway through.
Substitutions
  • Cod Fillets: Substitute with haddock or tilapia.
  • Egg: Try buttermilk to coat the fish before dredging in breadcrumbs. It helps the coating stick and adds a slight tangy flavor.
Adjustments Cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the geography of the area (high vs. low elevation), cookware (stoneware vs traditional bakeware), and outdoor temperature if grilling.
Nutrition information is only an estimate

Nutrition

Calories: 376kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 40gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 155mgSodium: 671mgPotassium: 839mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 463IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 4mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @powell.family.cooking on Instagram

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