Do-it-yourself Baked Fish Sticks (child & toddler-friendly!)

Childhood Monique is leaping for pleasure at this tremendous nostalgic dinner. It took me years to publish my very own recipe for do-it-yourself fish sticks however a pair years again I lastly perfected the recipe.

When you’re like me and grew up on luggage of frozen fish sticks with a aspect of tartar sauce and tater tots, prepare for a model new do-it-yourself model that’s 1000x extra scrumptious. These do-it-yourself baked fish sticks use recent cod, easy elements, and a straightforward technique to make them completely crispy on the skin.

Not solely are these wholesome fish sticks so easy to make however they’re additionally such an incredible dinner for youths and toddlers. I created this recipe for Sidney as soon as we launched him to fish, and he’s past obsessed. They’re a beautiful supply of protein and wholesome fat for kiddos and bonus, they’re enjoyable for them to eat! We cherished watching Sidney follow his grips and discover ways to eat these yummy fish sticks.

Serve them together with your fav dipping sauces (sure, we linked a bunch of choices) and some scrumptious sides and have your self the very best weeknight dinner ever.

Every part you’ll must make wholesome baked fish sticks

These do-it-yourself fish sticks are really easy to make and have the proper spice combination. Maintain them child and toddler-friendly by omitting the spicy cayenne pepper! Right here’s all the things you’ll must make them:

• Breadcrumbs: I like to make use of panko breadcrumbs as a result of they supply the proper, crispy texture.
• Seasonings: to present the fish sticks taste you’ll want onion powder, paprika, garlic powder and loads of salt and pepper. Be at liberty so as to add some cayenne pepper, too, if you happen to like warmth (and aren’t serving kiddos!)
• Eggs & milk: an egg and milk combination helps the breadcrumbs stick with the cod filets. You should utilize any milk you’d like! We usually use unsweetened almond milk to maintain this recipe dairy free.
• Fish: we’re utilizing recent cod filets on this recipe as a result of they’re tremendous versatile, agency and have a impartial taste.

What fish is finest for do-it-yourself fish sticks?

Sometimes a firmer white fish like cod, halibut or tilapia makes the very best fish sticks as a result of they maintain up nicely and tackle any taste that you just add to them. Salmon can work nicely, too!

When you can, attempt to get cod filets which might be at the least 1/2 to three/4 inches thick.

The important thing to crispy baked fish sticks

1. Toast your breadcrumbs. This step is crucial for getting a pleasant crispy coating in your baked cod fish sticks. You’ll merely spray the breadcrumbs with nonstick cooking spray and toast them within the oven for about 5 minutes earlier than dipping your cod into them. It’s so a lot better than the fried model!
2. Use a wire rack. When baking the fish sticks you’ll additionally need to use a wire rack as a substitute of baking them immediately on the parchment paper. The wire rack permits the fish sticks to get crispy on all sides and prevents sticking. When you don’t have one, merely flip the fish sticks midway by way of baking.

The best way to make the very best fish sticks within the oven

1. Prep your oven & fish. Begin by preheating your oven to 400 levels F and patting the cod filet dry on each side. You’ll then need to minimize the filet into 1 inch thick sticks which might be about 3 inches lengthy (relying on the scale of your fish filet).
2. Bake your breadcrumbs. Like we mentioned, you’ll then need to toast your breadcrumbs within the oven. Unfold them out on a baking sheet, spray with nonstick cooking spray, bake for two minutes, after which stir them round and bake for 2-3 minutes extra till golden.
3. Spice your breadcrumbs. Add your toasted breadcrumbs to a bowl with your whole spices.
4. Make your egg combination. In a separate bowl whisk collectively the eggs and milk of alternative.
5. Prep your pan. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper, add your metallic rack and provides {that a} spray with nonstick cooking spray.
6. Make the fish sticks. Dip every bit of cod into the egg combination, then use tongs to seize and toss it into the breadcrumb combination. Roll it round to coat it and use tongs to switch every fish stick with the wire rack.
7. Bake & serve. When you’ve repeated with your whole fish sticks, spray them with nonstick cooking spray and bake till cooked by way of, about 15-20 minutes. Serve together with your fav sauces and revel in!

Let’s speak dipping sauces

When you grew up on fish sticks (possible from the freezer) I’m certain you’ve eaten them with tartar sauce. Sure, these do-it-yourself, kid-friendly fish sticks are excellent for dipping in beloved tartar sauce, however they’re additionally superb in one among these scrumptious, barely extra nutritious dips:

Additionally, no disgrace in dunking these in ketchup! Get all of our recent & scrumptious dip recipes right here.

The best way to retailer leftovers

Retailer any leftover fish sticks in an airtight container within the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, place the fish sticks on a baking sheet and broil them on excessive for a few minutes till heated by way of and crispy on the skin.

Freezer-friendly fish sticks

Skip the packaged, frozen fish sticks and freeze a batch of those do-it-yourself ones as a substitute!

1. Let the fish sticks cool fully earlier than transferring them to a baking sheet.
2. Freeze them on the baking sheet to make sure that they don’t stick collectively, then switch the frozen fish sticks to a freezer-safe bag or container and place within the freezer for as much as 2-3 months.
3. To reheat, I’d suggest heating them within the oven in order that they’re good and crispy.

What to serve with do-it-yourself fish sticks

The choices are infinite! Serve these crispy baked fish follow a aspect of veggies, perhaps some fries, or a few of our fav aspect dishes:

I hope you like these do-it-yourself crispy baked fish sticks! When you make the make sure to depart a remark and a score so I understand how you preferred them. Take pleasure in, xo!

Do-it-yourself Crispy Baked Fish Sticks

Do-it-yourself baked fish sticks which might be deliciously crispy, straightforward to make and full of protein. These wholesome baked fish sticks make a beautiful dinner for youths, toddlers and adults alike as a result of they’re tremendous nutritious and enjoyable to eat. Serve together with your fav sides and dipping sauces!

Elements

• 2
  cups
  panko breadcrumbs
• Nonstick olive oil cooking spray
• 3/4
  teaspoon
  salt
• 1
  teaspoon
  black pepper
• 1
  teaspoon
  onion powder
• 1
  teaspoon
  paprika
• ½
  teaspoon
  garlic powder
• 1/4
  teaspoon
  cayenne pepper, provided that you want a bit bit of warmth
• 2
  massive eggs
• 2
  tablespoons
  milk of alternative
• 1 ¼
  pound
  cod filet

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 levels F.

2. Pat the fish fillet dry on each side with a paper towel. Reduce the fish into 1 inch thick sticks/strips. They need to be about 3 inches lengthy, however this can fluctuate based mostly in your fish filet.

3. Add panko breadcrumbs to a big baking sheet and unfold out in an excellent layer. Spray breadcrumbs with nonstick olive oil cooking spray. Bake for two minutes, then stir breadcrumbs (or simply give the pan a shake) after which bake for 2-3 minutes or till breadcrumbs are golden brown. Maintain warmth within the oven.

4. Switch breadcrumbs to a medium bowl. Whisk in spices: salt, black pepper, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder and cayenne pepper. Put aside.

5. In a separate medium bowl, whisk collectively the eggs and almond milk. Put aside.

6. Line the massive baking sheet with an oven protected wire metallic rack. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.

7. Dip every fish piece into the egg combination, then use a tong to seize and toss into the breadcrumb combination and roll it in fully coat with breadcrumbs. Use tongs to switch every fish stick with the wire rack, inserting about 1 inch aside.

8. Generously spray the tops of the fish sticks with nonstick spray. Bake within the oven for 15-20 minutes till cooked by way of. Serves 4. Serve with tartar sauce, my feta sauce, tahini sauce, tzatziki, ketchup or no matter sauce you’d like! Makes 12-16 fish sticks.

Recipe Notes

Attempt to get cod filets which might be at the least ½-3/4 inch thick.

To freeze: switch your cooked, cooled fish sticks to a baking sheet. Freeze them on the baking sheet to make sure that they don’t stick collectively, then switch the frozen fish sticks to a freezer-safe bag or container and place within the freezer for as much as 2-3 months.

To reheat from frozen: I’d suggest heating them within the oven in order that they’re good and crispy.

Diet

Servings: 4 servings

Serving measurement: 4 fish sticks

Energy: 255kcal

Fats: 3.5g

Saturated fats: 0.9g

Carbohydrates: 21.9g

Fiber: 1.4g

Sugar: 1.2g

Protein: 32g