Crunchy Air Fryer Fish Sticks

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Air Fryer Fish Sticks

By Justine

5 from 8 votes

Updated Jan 13, 2026

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Published Nov 02, 2023

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Jump to Recipe Box of Van de Kamp’s fish sticks above a plate of crispy, golden air fryer fish sticks with text: Air Fryer fish sticks!.

Air fryer frozen fish sticks are WAY better than cooking them in your oven, and faster. This way you’ll get ultra crunchy crispy battered fish in just a few minutes with Gortons or Van deCamps bite size dinner pieces right out of the freezer.

Crispy golden brown air fryer fish sticks are arranged inside an open basket, ready to be served.

Jump To

  • How Long to Cook Frozen Fish Sticks in Air Fryer
  • Ninja Foodi Fish Sticks
  • Tips
  • Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks Recipe
  • What are the best fish sticks?
  • Other Frozen Foods in Air Fryer You’ll Love

Have you tried cooking frozen fish sticks this way yet?? The crunch you get in this machine is over the top compared to baking them in your oven. Air fryer recipes are game changers y’all!

Ready for something that’s going to blow your mind?? Seriously I will never bake these again. They are way better than heating up your oven, and whole house, and take way less time too. Just like at a restaurant, great texture and ready for crunching.

I mean if you are anything like me you’re ready to see for yourself but need guidance on the timing and a few tips, we’re here to help. When we have had a really busy day and all I have time for is frozen food for dinner this is what my kids ask for, every time.

A box of Van de Kamp’s air fryer fish sticks sits in front of an air fryer set to 400°F for 5 minutes, ready for a quick and crispy meal.

You know the difference between making them at home and getting them at a restaurant? The texture is the biggest difference right? I mean the flavor is all pretty much the same, unless you make them homemade. Right out of the box most brands all taste the same. It is the CRUNCH that makes you want seconds and thirds.

Well, using a hot air machine will get you pretty close to that…and like I said, won’t heat up your entire house when it is hot outside already.

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How Long to Cook Frozen Fish Sticks in Air Fryer

You are going to want 9-10 minutes generally to cook fish perfectly. This doesn’t count the 5 minutes it will take to pre heat the air fryer basket initially so 15 total if you are timing out your meal.

Can you cook homemade fish sticks in air fryer?

Yes, you can slice thawed fish into strips and then follow our air fryer tilapia or air fryer catfish recipes from there. Dry with paper towels to remove moisture. Dip into a bowl with a whisked egg and press bread crumbs or almond flour mixture on the outside. Air fry it for 4-6 minutes and your air fryer fish nuggets are done!

Open box of frozen breaded fish sticks viewed from above, perfect for making crispy air fryer fish sticks at home.

Ninja Foodi Fish Sticks

To make these as a Ninja Foodi recipe you will use the lid that is attached with the air crisp button on the front. The cook time and temperature will remain the same as below.

One important thing to remember when cooking these is to make sure they do not overlap. If they do they won’t get really crunchy because not all sides will “feel” the hot air on every side. Flipping halfway is vital to getting the perfect crunchy texture too. For extra crunch spray with olive oil for before the last minute.

A plate of crispy, golden-brown fish sticks is shown. The text above the plate says "Air fryer fish sticks: a game changer!" in large, bold font.

Tips

Box of regular sized frozen fish sticks were used here. Air fryer is necessary too of course. Timing varies based on whether you’re using larger beer battered fish versions or not because they are thicker. This is based on “regular” sizes you see here

As I mention in our tips and tricks to getting the crispiest ever Air fryer frozen chicken nuggets, you may want a light spray of olive oil the last minute. I do like a bit of non stick cooking spray for the basket also to make sure they slide out. Salt and pepper when done is optional for flavor.

Golden, crispy air fryer fish sticks arranged in a single layer inside an open basket, ready to enjoy. 5 from 8 votes

Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks Recipe

By Justine Air fryer fish sticks frozen are the bomb! WAY better than cooking them in your oven, this way you'll get ultra crunchy crispy battered fish in just a few minutes. Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 10 minutes Servings: 4 Save RecipeSaved! Pin Recipe Comment Print Recipe

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Ingredients 1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 box fish sticks, frozen
  • ▢ 1 spray olive oil
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Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
  • Pour frozen fish sticks into air fryer basket in one layer so they aren't overlapping
  • Cook for 5 minutes, gently shake basket or flip pieces over. Then continue cooking for 4-5 minutes until they're as crispy on the outside as you'd like.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 3oz, Calories: 111kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Entree, Main CourseCuisine: American Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

What are the best fish sticks?

That probably depends on whom you ask really, but when a questionnaire was thrown out there these were the results: The best were Van de Kamp’s crunchy style which is what we used. Gorton’s came in 2nd and we really like their beer battered versions Trident Seafoods has an ultimate style that ranks high as well

Serve inside air fryer fish tacos with our cilantro lime sauce and dinner is done.

If you want non-breaded follow our frozen fish in an air fryer directions.

Other Frozen Foods in Air Fryer You’ll Love

Then we went on to make frozen mozzarella sticks in air fryer that day and they were way better than even those at the fair that I love! We just kept going after we made both of these and made things like frozen air fryer corn dogs and frozen onion rings in air fryer.They’re MUCH better “baked” this way because it’s faster and the overall crunch is amazing.

A white bowl filled with multiple crispy, golden-brown air fryer fish sticks, arranged in a slightly haphazard manner. The breaded fish sticks appear to be freshly cooked, with a crunchy texture visible. The background is plain and white.
A close-up of frozen fish sticks arranged in an air fryer basket. The text at the top reads, "Air Fryer Fish Sticks," followed by a subheading, "you'll never make 'em in the oven after this.
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About Justine

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

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5 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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10 Comments

  1. 😍🙏!!!

    Reply

  2. Easiest way ever to make really crunchy fish sticks.

    Reply

  3. so easy and very crisp

    Reply

    1. Awesome!!

      Reply

  4. I am confused and hoping you can help me. I just got an ninja foodie, which I clicked on this recipe because it was listed like that but then shows the food in a cosori basket. Does the ninja cook the same? Sorry I am a newbie and confused.

    Reply

    1. Yes, so any air fryer recipe you can make with the Foodi using the lid that is attached to the pot. Just put food in that inner basket it came with that has some holes at the bottom. Close lid, choose air crisp, temperature, time, and let it go. To check just lift lid and if it isn’t done close lid again and it will continue air frying.

      Reply

  5. Great first meal with my air fryer lid. Lots of great info!

    Reply

  6. I love my air fryer and recipes like this are the main reason why I do! These are so much better than anything out of a freezer section. The air fryer gets them so perfectly crisp. Delicious!

    Reply

  7. These were great, I love using my air fryer so I can’t wait to make these again!!

    Reply

  8. I am the only person in our family that really eats the frozen items like fish,shrimp,mushrooms, cheese sticks ,jalapeno poppersso it would be nice to know how long to cook like 3or 4 items at a time

    Reply
boise blogger the typical mom

Hi, I'm Justine!

Welcome to The Typical Mom blog where we share easy Instant Pot recipes, use our Ninja Foodi, Crockpot and air fryer daily, and share fun family travel destinations!

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