Cooking fish sticks in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious and crispy meal. Gorton’s fish sticks are a popular frozen fish stick option that can be prepared perfectly in your air fryer. The cooking time will vary slightly depending on the size and wattage of your particular model, but following some simple guidelines will ensure your fish sticks turn out tasty and golden brown.
Air Fryer Fish Stick Cooking Times
Most air fryer models recommend cooking frozen fish sticks at 400°F for 8-10 minutes. However, cooking times can range from as short as 6 minutes up to 12 minutes. Here are some general air fryer fish stick cooking guidelines:
- Smaller-capacity air fryers (2-3 qt): 6-8 minutes
- Medium-capacity air fryers (4-5 qt): 8-10 minutes
- Large-capacity air fryers (5-8 qt): 10-12 minutes
For Gorton’s fish sticks in particular, the package instructions recommend cooking for 8-10 minutes at 400°F in a conventional oven. So aim for the middle cooking time range of 8-10 minutes when cooking them in an average-sized air fryer.
Tips for Cooking Fish Sticks in an Air Fryer
Here are some helpful tips to ensure your fish sticks cook up evenly crispy in the air fryer:
- Let fish sticks sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking for more even heating.
- Use a light coating of oil spray on the fish sticks before air frying.
- Flip fish sticks over halfway during cooking for even browning.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space between fish sticks.
- Adjust cooking time up or down if needed based on thickness of fish sticks and your model’s wattage.
How to Tell When Fish Sticks Are Done
Checking your fish sticks intermittently as they cook is the best way to test doneness. Look for the following signs:
- Golden brown exterior with visible crispiness.
- Opaque, flaky interior when pierced with a fork.
- Internal temperature should reach 145°F.
The fish should be hot and cooked through without any translucent looking portions remaining once finished cooking. Discard any that are still partially frozen in the center.
Serving Suggestions
Once cooked, immediately remove fish sticks from the air fryer basket to prevent overcooking. Allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. Here are some tasty ways to serve up your air fried fish sticks:
- With lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or remoulade.
- On a hoagie roll for a fish stick sandwich.
- With French fries or tater tots and coleslaw.
- Over a fresh green salad.
- Alongside macaroni and cheese.
Storing Leftovers
For food safety, leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours. Store cooked fish sticks in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven until hot, about 5 minutes.
Air fried fish sticks also freeze well up to 2-3 months. Let cool completely before freezing in a single layer on a sheet pan. Once frozen solid, transfer to freezer bags or containers. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer or oven.
More Air Fryer Fish Recipes
The air fryer makes quick work of all kinds of fish dishes. Try out some of these tasty recipes:
Air Fryer Fish Tacos
Spiced, crispy fish fillets served in warm tortillas with all the fixings.
Lemon-Parsley Air Fryer Tilapia
Flaky seasoned tilapia fillets drizzled with a bright lemon-parsley sauce.
Air Fryer Fish and Chips
The perfect quick and easy fish and chips with minimal oil needed.
Cajun Air Fryer Catfish
Blackened catfish fillets made easy with Cajun seasoning.
Conclusion
Cooking Gorton’s fish sticks in the air fryer takes just 8-10 minutes at 400°F for tender, golden results. Let the fish sticks sit at room temperature before cooking, flip halfway through, and check for doneness. Enjoy your quick and easy fish sticks on their own or in sandwiches, with sides, or over salad. The air fryer is great for all kinds of crispy fish recipes beyond fish sticks too.