Air Fryer Fish Sticks with Homemade Tartar Sauce
Fish sticks are a reliable weeknight dinner, but why not try your hand at making them from scratch? You will love the crispy, crunchy, crust – it’s made with panko breadcrumbs and flavorful Member’s Mark™ Green Goddess Seasoning. Plus, when you use the air fryer, everything comes together in a flash!
Types of Fish to Use for Fish Sticks
Fish sticks work best with firm, mild, white fish that can hold its shape when cut and breaded. Here are the most common types used:
Popular choices:
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Cod – classic option, mild flavor, flaky texture.
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Pollock – affordable, mild, widely used in frozen fish sticks.
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Haddock – slightly sweeter than cod, still mild and flaky.
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Hake – soft and mild, often used in European-style fish sticks.
Other good options:
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Tilapia – budget-friendly, firm enough for breading.
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Catfish – mild but slightly firmer, good for frying.
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Halibut – firm and meaty, higher-end choice.
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Mahi-mahi – firmer, less flaky, gives a heartier fish stick.
Tip: Avoid very oily fish (like salmon, mackerel, or sardines) since they’re too strong-flavored and don’t get that classic “fish stick” taste.
Got Extra Tartar Sauce? Here’s How to Use It!
Tartar sauce is creamy, tangy, and a little briny, so it pairs well with lots more than fish sticks! Here are some tasty ideas:
Seafood (besides fish sticks):
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Fried shrimp or popcorn shrimp
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Crab cakes
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Calamari
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Fried clams or oysters
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Grilled or baked salmon
Non-seafood fried foods:
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French fries or potato wedges
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Onion rings
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Fried pickles or zucchini fries
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Sweet potato fries
Sandwiches & wraps:
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Spread on a fried chicken sandwich
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With a turkey or roast beef wrap for extra tang
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On a veggie burger
Vegetables & sides:
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As a dip for raw veggies (carrots, celery, bell peppers)
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With roasted potatoes
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On corn fritters or hushpuppies
Unexpected uses:
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As a deviled egg filling base
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Mixed into potato salad or coleslaw instead of mayo
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Spread inside a grilled cheese for a tangy twist
Air Fryer Fish Sticks with Homemade Tartar Sauce
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
Ingredients
For the Homemade Tartar Sauce
- ¼ cup Full fat Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup Light mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup Dill pickles finely chopped
- 1 tsp Fresh lemon juice
- ⅛ tsp Kosher salt
For the Fish Sticks
- 1½ lbs Skinless wild cod, sea bass, or haddock fillets thawed if frozen
- 2 large Eggs beaten
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ½ Lemon squeezed
- ¼ tsp Member's Mark™ Spanish Style Paprika
- ¼ tsp Kosher salt
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp Seasoned panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp Member's Mark™ Green Goddess Seasoning
- Olive oil spray
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
For the Homemade Tartar Sauce
- Combine the ingredients for the tartar sauce in a small bowl and refrigerate until ready to eat.
For the Fish Sticks
- Cut the fish into 16 sticks, about 4 x 1 inches each.
- In a medium bowl, combine eggs, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Member's Mark™ Spanish Style Paprika, and salt.
- In a second bowl, combine the panko crumbs with Member's Mark™ Green Goddess Seasoning.
- Dip each piece of fish into the egg mixture, then the panko. Set aside.
- Transfer fish to the air fryer basket (in batches as needed - be sure not to overlap) and spray both sides with olive oil. Air fry at 400℉ for about 8 minutes, turning half way, until golden and crisp.
- Serve fish sticks with tartar sauce and a lemon wedge.