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A hand holding one crunchy golden fish finger over a plate of fish fingers and some lemon slices

Fish Fingers

Fish Fingers are SO MUCH easier to make at home than you think! They're TASTY, delicious, perfectly crisp with a succulent inside. Your Family will love this easy, quick and additive new fish recipe!

Course fast food, Junk food, Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine American, Fast Food, Mediterranean
Keyword fish dinner, fish dinners, fish fillet, fish fingers, fish fingers recipe, fish recipes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 439 kcal
Author Mahy

Ingredients

Fish

  • 4 Mahi Mahi Fish

Wet Coating

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Granulated onion
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon oregano

Bread Crumbs

  • 2-3 cups Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • 2 teaspoons granulated onion
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes

To Bake/Air Fry

  • 4 tablespoons Oil spray

To Serve

  • 1 lemon sliced
  • 1 fresh dill sprig

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 374 degrees.

  2. Begin by mixing the seasoning on to the panko bread crumbs on a baking sheet. Spray that with some avocado oil spray and shake the sheet pan really well.

    Panko crust ingredients for the fish fingers including panko bread crumbs, cajun seasoning and oregano

  3. Toast the panko bread crumb mixture in the oven for 6-8 mins until lightly toasted.

    A hand holding a sheet pan of the toasted panko bread crumbs mixture
  4. During that time, you'll slice the fish fillets into finger size pieces. We've used Mahi Mahi, as it's a firm white fish that holds well to its shape.
    A hand holding cut up mahi mahi fish into fish fingers shape
  5. Mix the wet ingredients in the shallow plate, and feel free to add more or less of the spice or seasoning to your taste.
    the mixture of eggs and seasoning in a plate
  6. Now add the cut up fish fingers into the plate of wet ingredients and toss them well. You want to have each piece of fish well coated in this mixture so that the coating sticks.
    The cut up fish filets added to the shallow plate of wet ingredients to coat before the breadcrumbs
  7. One by one, remove the fish filet and it to the toasted breadcrumbs sheet. Toss well and all around to evenly coat.
    A hand holding a piece of fish coated in toasted breadcrumbs showing how it should be coated

  8. Then take a cooling rack, place it over a baking sheet and arrange the fish fingers over that rack in a single layer. Spray generously with oil.

    The coated fish fingers in breadcrumbs arranged on a cooling rack on the baking sheet ready to bake

  9. Baking the fish fingers on a cooling rack rather than cookie sheet or parchment paper lined sheet will accentuate the crispness of the curst. You'll need to increase the oven to 400 degrees F for this.

  10. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the fish is firm and cooked through, and has a deeper golden crust.

    Golden and ready fish fingers right out of the oven on the cooling rack on a baking sheet
  11. Remove and serve with dipping sauces.

  12. Air Fryer Fish Fingers:

  13. Follow all the steps to preparing the fish, coating them in egg and toasted bread crumbs mixture.
  14. Spray the air fryer basket and the fish fingers.
    Fish Fingers in an air fryer basket perfectly cooked and golden.
  15. Place the fish in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 400 for 10-12 minutes shaking halfway.
  16. It comes out JUST perfect!
    A hand dipping a fish fingers in a bowl of spicy mayo and tartare sauce

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Fish Fingers Tips

  1. Toast the breadcrumbs for a deeper, nuttier and richer crust. This is just an extra 6-7 minutes of your time but it makes a world of difference to your fish fingers.
  2. Panko bread crumbs offer a far more superior crust compared to regular Italian breadcrumbs. 
  3. Seasoning the crumbs is a great tip to add some flavor with minimal effort. 
  4. The wet mixture is also seasoned for extra flavor. 
  5. Make sure you toss the cut up fish fillets well into the wet mixture because this is what helps the crumbs stick.
  6. The type of fish you use if crucial. Use firm fillets for this recipe. Avoid flakey sensitive thin fillets. 
  7. If baking in the oven, place the coated fish on a cooling rack over the baking sheet. This step helps the fish fingers crisp up on all sides. 
  8. If you have an air fryer, then the air fryer fish fingers are quicker and come out JUST as perfect!

Why Firm White Fish Works Best

Due to their low oil content and tight muscle structure, this helps the fish sticks stay in tact and prevent them from falling apart.

Why Panko Is Crispier

Panko contains larger flakes that trap air, producing crunch. We opt out of panko and aim for fine breadcrumbs only when serving fish sticks to toddlers.

Why Overcrowding Ruins Texture

When you over crowd a baking tray, or air fryer basket or pan, steam builds and softens the coating.

Fish Finger Variations 

  • Air Fryer Fish Fingers : Air fryer makes crispy fish fingers
  • Baked Fish Fingers from Frozen: You can follow the exact recipe, adding extra time if fish was frozen.
  • Homemade Fish Fingers with Cod: Use Cod fish. 
  •  Gluten-Free Fish Fingers: Use gluten free breadcrumbs
  • Spicy Fish Fingers: Add hot sauce or Chili Oil Recipe to the egg mixture or after cooking.
  • Fish Finger Sandwich: Serve them in a sandwich or wrap.
  • Fish Fingers for Toddlers: Use fine breadcrumbs to avoid choking.

Why Are My Fish Fingers Soggy?

They turn soggy when you over crowd the baking sheet or air fryer or pan as you cook it. Also if you have cooked the fish at a low temperature, or haven't used enough oil to crisp the edges. To avoid this, avoid crowing the pan or tray, cook at the right temperature and use enough oil to crisp the fish.

Why Is the Coating Falling Off?

If the fish is too wet, the coating won't stick and hence will fall off when cooking. Always pat dry the fish before coating, and make sure it sticks well. 

Why Are They Dry?

They turn dry when over cooked or when you've used filets that are too thin. Avoid overcooking and using thin filets.

Storage & Reheating

  • Uncooked (Breaded) Fish: Freeze on tray, then transfer to bag.Cook from frozen.
  • Cooked and cooled down: Refrigerate up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: Air fryer 375°F for 3–5 minutes to restore crispness.
  • Avoid microwave if possible.

How to Make Frozen Fish Fingers / Freeze this recipe?

This is the good news, you can make your own frozen fish fingers and never opt for store bought again!

  1. Prepare the fish, coat them in wet mixture and then toasted breadcrumbs. Now place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze them. To cook them, bake as above by adding extra 5 minutes to the time.
  2. You can likewise freeze baked or air fried fish fingers. Once cooled after cooking, place the fish fingers in a sealed ziploc vag and freeze them. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer for 5 minutes. 

What to Serve with Fish Fingers?

What is the BEST Fish for Fish Fingers?

Today we used Mahi Mahi. It's a firm white fish that holds its shape SO well! And that's KEY for this recipe. Avoid using flakey, sensitive fish. Other types like  Haddock, Cod, Halibut, or Tilapia.

Baked Fish Sticks: Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Stir 2 Tbsp cooking oil into the seasoned Panko breadcrumbs (this helps the fish sticks brown and crisp evenly). Place the breaded fish sticks on a wire cooling rack placed on a baking sheet. Bake the fish sticks for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Air Fryer Fish Sticks: Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Stir 2 Tbsp cooking oil into the seasoned Panko breadcrumbs (this helps the fish sticks brown and crisp evenly). Place the fish sticks in the air fryer basket in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the air fryer. Cook the fish sticks at 400ºF for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden.

Are Fish Fingers Healthy?

Yes! they provide lean protein, Omega-3 and more! Also the cooking method is key, baking or air frying reduces added fat.

How long do fish fingers take in the oven?

Depending on the size, about 15 minutes at 425°F.

What temperature should fish fingers be cooked to?

Always aim for 145°F internal temperature.

Can you air fry fish fingers?

Yes, 400°F for about 10 minutes, again depending on the size they may need between 8-12 minutes.

Do you flip fish fingers in the oven?

Yes, halfway for even browning.

Why are my fish fingers mushy?

Too much moisture or low cooking temperature.

Are fish fingers fully cooked when frozen?

Most frozen brands are pre cooked but must be reheated thoroughly.

Nutrition Facts
Fish Fingers
Amount Per Serving
Calories 439 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 0.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 10g
Cholesterol 206mg69%
Sodium 1580mg69%
Potassium 930mg27%
Carbohydrates 32g11%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 39g78%
Vitamin A 1289IU26%
Vitamin C 16mg19%
Calcium 136mg14%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.