Baked Fish Sticks with Crispy Panko Coating and Tartar Sauce Recipe
This easy baked fish sticks recipe features crispy, golden cod strips coated with seasoned breadcrumbs and baked to perfection. A healthier alternative to frying, these fish sticks are perfect for a family-friendly meal served with tangy tartar sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Seasoning
- 1 pound cod fillets, cut into 1-inch strips
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
Additional
- Olive oil cooking spray
- Tartar sauce for serving (store bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Prepare the fish: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Cut the fillets into 1-inch strips to create uniform fish sticks for even cooking.
- Season the fish: Sprinkle the fish strips with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring each piece is well seasoned.
- Set up the dredging stations: In one shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and paprika. In a second bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs and Dijon mustard. In a third bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs and seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Coat the fish sticks: First, dip each fish strip into the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip into the egg and mustard mixture to help the breadcrumbs adhere. Finally, coat the strips thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure a good crust.
- Prepare for baking: Arrange the coated fish sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased rack. Spray the fish sticks lightly with olive oil cooking spray to promote browning and crispiness during baking.
- Bake the fish sticks: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake the fish sticks for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through. The fish should flake easily with a fork.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the fish sticks cool for a couple of minutes before serving. Serve them hot with tartar sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the fish sticks for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking—watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Use fresh cod or any firm white fish like haddock or pollock as alternatives.
- Panko breadcrumbs provide a lighter, crispier texture compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the baking sheet to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Tartar sauce can be store-bought or homemade with mayo, pickles, lemon juice, and capers.
Keywords: fish sticks, baked fish sticks, cod recipe, kid-friendly fish recipe, crispy fish sticks, healthy fish sticks, homemade fish sticks