These fish sticks taste fresher and tastier than packaged ones – and they’re better for you, too, because they’re baked rather than fried. The trick to getting a crispy, golden coating without overcooking the fish is to briefly toast the breadcrumbs first. Served with a creamy yogurt-based tartar sauce, they are easy to prepare and eating them is sure to spark childlike joy.
Get ahead: Tartar sauce can be prepared and refrigerated up to 4 days in advance.
Storage: Refrigerate leftover fish for up to 2 days and sauce for up to 4 days.
Ingredients
Directions
Active: 35 minutes
|Total: 45 minutes
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Step 1
Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees.
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2nd step
Make the tartar sauce: In a medium bowl, mix the yogurt, mayonnaise, pickles, and green onions until well combined. Use immediately or transfer to a lidded jar and refrigerate until needed. You should have about 3/4 cup.
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Step 3
Prepare the fish sticks: In a medium bowl, toss the panko with the oil until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to a large baking tray and toast in the oven for about 4 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown. Return panko to bowl; leave the oven on. Once the pan has cooled, wipe it clean, then brush it lightly with oil.
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Step 4
To the breadcrumbs add the paprika, garlic and salt and mix. In another medium bowl, whisk the eggs with the mustard until well combined. Put the flour in a shallow plate.
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Step 5
Dry the fish, then cut it into sticks 3 to 4 inches long and 1 inch wide. Dip each piece of fish in the flour, shaking off the excess. Then dip it in the egg mixture, shaking off the excess, and finally coat it with breadcrumbs, pressing so that it sticks. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the coating is nicely browned and flaky and the fish is flaky and opaque inside.
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Step 6
Divide between plates, garnish with parsley, if using, and serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
Replacements
Green onions >> chives.
Sour pickle >> any pickle of your choice or capers.
Greek yogurt >> sour cream.
Variants
To make these fish sticks in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer on the 400 degree fry setting. Mix the breadcrumbs with the oil and spices without toasting in the oven and continue the recipe as directed with the following modifications: Air fry in two batches, or as needed, for 7 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and crispy.
You can also air fry from frozen, adding 1 minute to the cooking time.
