Easy, crispy-crunchy fish sticks with a homemade tartar sauce will hit the spot for little (and big) kids! These barely made it off the pan before we demolished them for lunch… so delicious!
We were married less than 24 hours when we hopped off a plane in London. Our plans were laid, our bellies were ready, and our maps led the way. The mission? Finding the city’s best fish and chips. We ate our way through the city for five days, sampling bits of this and that, but ducking into pubs on a daily basis for the deep-fried indulgence and a cold pint.
Tripping around London on a fish and chips taste-test has remained one of my favorite food memories! It was early autumn and we were giddy in love, adventurous in spirit, and constantly seeking our next meal.
Not much has changed!
Except, of course, that I put a healthier spin on fried fish and chips now!
These super crisp, tender fish sticks take me back to London every time I cook ‘em up. They’re incredibly easy and yield a flaky, juicy fish that’s fun to dunk into delicious homemade tartar sauce. I also know I’ll love mixing these up for our little lady, when she’s old enough to appreciate a good fish stick!
With creamy tartar sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon, these fish sticks totally hit the spot! Just as delicious as everyone’s fried favorite, you’ll love that indulgent taste without all the calories. Save ‘em for dessert, I’d say!
These scrumptious sticks didn’t even make it off the hot pan before we’d gobbled them up with fries and beers. Well, a beer for hubby, at least! I clinked my water glass with his frosty brew, and it was just like we were back in a pub in little Londontown… but I think we found something even better at home!
Crispy Baked Fish Sticks with Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
For Crispy Baked Fish Sticks (makes 8 fish sticks):
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless cod or halibut fillets, cut into strips
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs, lightly toasted*
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 large eggs
- Lemon wedges, for serving
For Tartar Sauce (makes 1/2 cup):
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1/2 Tablespoon dried minced onion
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- For Crispy Baked Fish Sticks: Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Position rack in upper third of oven. Spread oil on a large lined baking sheet.
- In a shallow dish, combine toasted panko crumbs, salt and cayenne. In a separate dish, add flour. In a third separate dish, beat eggs. Coat fish in flour, dip in beaten eggs, then coat with panko crumbs. Arrange fish on the prepared pan.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until cooked through. The fish should be opaque, tender and flaky,
- For Tartar Sauce: Mix together all ingredients in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve with fish sticks and lemon wedges.
- Enjoy!
Mmm these look so crispy and perfect!
Mmmm yum! I love how these look so light and crispy!
My daughter just started an obsession with fish and chips, I will give this a go for sure
love the lighter version, I will need 2 servings of this now :P
These look so amazing! I had the best fish and chips of my life at a little restaurant in Charleston, SC. I really need to go experience the real thing in London, but in the meantime, I’ll be giving these a try!
Oh my word, these look SO tasty. I might just have to scrap my dinner plans to make these tonight!
Crispy fish stiks that are baked and not fried! UUmm, yeah, totally making these!
Your fish sticks look like perfection! The fish looks so flaky and plump and the coating is gorgeous!!
I love fish and chips! Such a wonderful dish. And although the fried fish is wonderful, baked is much healthier and awfully tasty, too. Your version looks terrific. And what a fun thing to search London for the best fish and chips! Great memory.
Fish sticks are the only way I’ll eat fish other than salmon! And these look awesome. I am SO trying these! I always feel so guilty buying the prepackaged kind. ;)
I’m not even a seafood person but these look bangin!
This sounds perfect Georgia! We are eating fish on Fridays during Lent so this is something perfect to add to the list!
This looks so wonderful, I wish I had it for lunch today!
I’m obsessed with fish sticks and tartar sauce. These look SO good and perfect for dinner!
I haven’t had fish sticks since I was a kiddo, but these look SO good to me and now I’m craving some! Might have to give these a try soon! And you always make everything look SO awesome Georgia – your pics are amazing!
These are a far cry from the frozen fish sticks that they sell in the supermarket – loving these Georgia – pinned!
I need fish and chips. I must have it, especially baked :)
These are gorgeous AND a trip to England with every bite.
I’ve been looking for a good fish stick recipe and I think I’ve found it! I love that these are baked instead of fried so that I can justify eating more of them. That tartar sauce is just begging for one of the stick to be dipped in it! Yum!
I absolutely love this post! I was just in Canada visiting the in-laws, and fish and chips are their big family tradition too. I probably ate a bellyful! I love having a healthier homey version to make it home and relive that fun memory. I also love your and your husband’s travel style. I have a feeling we’d get along famously :-)
This is my favorite way to do fish and chips at home!! And I totally approve of your fish and chip taste test around London – I think Ben and I will have to do that when we got across the pond next summer :)
My mouth is watering at how delicious your fish sticks look. I have never been able to make baked fish (or chicken) look as good and perfect as yours. Thanks for sharing!
These look heavenly!! Wow!! Beautiful!
They look so crunchy and wonderfully delicious, Georgia.
What a fun honeymoon!!! And it sure looks like you’ve recreated the best fish sticks right here…only a healthier version! This may have to be our meatless dish next Friday…they look amazing.
You can just see how crisp and moist your baked fish sticks are from your great photos.
These look delicious! I’ve never made fish sticks before, but that needs to change! I love that they are baked. Pinned!
My husband and I met in London, so I totally get your soft spot for all things British. What a tasty tribute!
Extremely tempting! The fish looks ever so moist.
Cheers,
Rosa
I really appreciate healthy versions of comfort food! This fish sticks look crispy and delicious!
I bet these are way better than the fish and chips you get in London! I am so into this healthier version! Fish and chips for breakfast..what do you think?
Perfectly crispy! They look fantastic – I know they would be a huge hit in my house.
These are perfect, and what a fun food memory to go along with them!
I love fish and chips and haven’t had a good one in a while. These homemade version look PERFECT!
Oh i love this!!! A much healthier version of fish and chips :)
Omg. This is my idea of comfort food at its best!!! I need.
Yeah, it doesn’t get much better than old school fish sticks! Love this recipe!
My kids love this! Always a good idea!
I love this recipe, Georgia! I do something very similar with chicken, but I love the idea of halibut made in this way. Such a quick and easy dinner for a weeknight. Great post and beautiful photos as always!
Now this is fish and chips that I can totally get behind. The fish sticks look perfect. :)
how delicious! my husband would just be so happy if i made these fish sticks…love that they’re baked and still so crispy!
My kids love fish sticks. I will have to make these for them!
Is it wrong that the only fish sticks I had were from the school cafeteria? I bet this homemade version is 10000000x better!
I’m just wondering…why do you pre-toast the bread crumbs? Does it make them extra crispy or something? Just curious…
Toasting the breadcrumbs in oil really gives the fish sticks that indulgent fried taste, without all the calories.
I was so thankful to find this recipe. My husband and I LOVED these fish sticks. This recipe is are our replacement for the resturant Fish & Chips that never satisfy. I followed your recipe exactly and they were perfect! Thank you so much!
Delicious and highly recommended! Thank you for sharing a great recipe!
I made the fish sticks according to the exact directions and it came out perfectly. The cayenne gives its a kick and bc of that, it doesn’t need any other seasonings. The toasted bread crumbs made it especially crunchy. Not only is this a beautiful dish, it is very tasty.
Here is how you toast Panko breadcrumbs:
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a 10-inch nonstick pan on medium-high heat. Once the oil starts swirling around in the pan, indicating that it’s approaching the smoking point, add 1 heaping cup of Panko breadcrumbs. Cook them, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes until they look golden. Season with salt and/or pepper and transfer them to a bowl.
For the tartar sauce, I omitted the onions bc it is not heartburn friendly. I added plain yogurt and Dijon mustard to cut out some fat and finished it with chopped up parsley.