Avoid soggy fish sticks! These crispy baked fish sticks with tartar sauce are made with a flavorful lemon pepper panko coating.
My husband grew up on the North Shore of Boston, just 30 minutes from Gloucester. Needless to say, he grew up eating his fair share of fish sticks. Don’t get me wrong, I used to love store-bought fish sticks as a kid. However, the great thing about making your own is that you can control the quality of ingredients. My Crispy Baked Fish Sticks even includes a homemade tartar sauce, and are still totally kid-friendly! If you’re trying to include more seafood in your families diet, then this dish is perfect!
Ingredients
- White fish: Walleye, cod, tilapia, or any other white fish works great for these fish sticks, offering a great source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids.
- Egg: Coats the fish to help the bread crumbs stick and get an even, crispy bake.
- Panko bread crumbs: The bread used for panko is very airy, making them especially crispy when baked or fried.
- Garlic powder: Adds a punch of strong, garlic flavor to the coating.
- Lemon: Lemon zest adds a wonderful, fresh punch of flavor to the fish sticks, and lemon juice adds brightness to the tartar sauce.
- Yogurt: Plain yogurt acts as the base for my healthier, homemade tartar sauce instead of mayonnaise.
- Pickles: Finely diced dill pickles and pickle juice give the tartar sauce it’s signature tart and tangy flavor.
- Salt & pepper: Seasons and enhances the fish and sauce.
How to Make Crispy Baked Fish Sticks with Tartar Sauce
Start your crispy baked fish sticks by cutting your fish fillets into 1-2 inch thick sticks.
Then beat your eggs in once dish that will easily fit the fish, and stir the panko bread crumbs, lemon zest, garlic powder, and salt and pepper in another dish.
Pat the fish dry, season with some salt and black pepper, then dip in the egg mixture.
Once fully coated in the egg, move to the panko bread mixture and coat on all sides.
Place on a prepared baking sheet, and repeat until all fish sticks are coated and on the baking sheet.
Then throw your fish sticks into the oven preheat to 425 until crispy and golden brown, about 25 minutes.
While fish sticks bake, make your tartar sauce. Start by adding your plain yogurt to a medium bowl.
Then finely chop your dill pickles and add them to the yogurt.
Sprinkle in some salt and pepper, pour in the pickle juice and lemon juice, and mix until fully combined.
Once fish sticks are golden-brown, serve and enjoy your Crispy Baked Fish Sticks with Tartar Sauce!
Easy Substitutions
- Make it gluten-free. Replacements may result in a slightly different texture, but panko breadcrumbs can be replaced with gluten-free breadcrumbs, cracker crumbs, crushed tortilla chips, crushed potato chips, etc.
- Spice things up. For a bigger punch of flavor, try adding come paprika, cayenne pepper, or onion powder into the panko mixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you serve with fish sticks?
Are baked fish sticks healthy?
How do you store leftover fish sticks?
More Kid-Friendly Recipes
- Baked Chicken Taquitos
- Ham and Cheese Baked Egg Cups
- Chicken Parm Meatloaf Muffins
- One Pan Roasted Chicken and Broccoli
- Chicken Tortilla Soup with Hominy
Eat It, Like It, Share It!
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For a quick and easy dinner your whole family will enjoy, add my Crispy Baked Fish Sticks with Tartar Sauce your weekly meal plan.
No fork required.
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Crispy Baked Fish Sticks with Tartar Sauce?
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Crispy Baked Fish Sticks with Tartar Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds white fish ((i.e. walleye,cod, tilapia, etc.) – skin removed and cut into strips)
- 1 egg
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt (divided)
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 zest of lemon
Tartar Sauce
- ½ cup low fat plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickle
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 475 degrees. Spray a foil-lined baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.
- Set out two shallow glass dishes (pie plates work well). In the first dish, whisk one egg until light and fluffy.
- Combine panko, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, pepper and lemon zest in the second dish.
- Sprinkle both sides of the fish strips with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Dip fish in egg then coat evenly with panko mixture. Place on lined baking sheet and continue until all fish is coated in panko.
- Spray fish sticks with cooking spray then bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Make the tartar sauce while fish is baking by combining all ingredients in a small bowl and refrigerating until you’re ready to serve.
Last Step:
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