Fish Fingers so perfectly golden and crunchy it’s hard to believe they’re BAKED rather than fried! Breaded white fish baked in the oven using a secret method to make them super crispy outside and tender on the inside, with the extra bonus of a mess-free way to coat the fish in breadcrumbs. Clean fingers – yay!
Say bye-bye to the boxes in the freezer aisle. Homemade fish fingers are incredible, SO EASY to make and they’re healthy {226 calories for 3!}
Fish Fingers recipe
Homemade fish fingers made without frying, and without your fingers getting caked with batter and breadcrumbs? YES YOU CAN!
This fish fingers recipe uses a much loved reader reader favourite baked breading technique involving a quick toasting of breadcrumbs in the oven and a single extra-strength dredge batter, by passing the usual flour-then-egg method.
This same breadcrumb baking method is also used in these reader favourite recipes: baked Chicken Cordon Bleu, Crunchy Chicken Tenders and even homemade Filet-O-Fish.
Just look at this pile of golden fish fingers! Don’t you just want to devour them all??
How to make fish fingers
So getting right to the point (because I know you’re just busting to know how I got them so perfectly golden!), here’s how to make fish fingers my way:
My secret steps
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Toast the breadcrumbs: it’s an extra step but it’s effortless – just spread the breadcrumbs on a tray, spray with oil, then bake for 5 minutes. Fish fingers cooks quickly in the oven (15 min max), faster than the time you need for the breadcrumb to become golden and crisp (no matter how much oil you use). So we give it a little helping hand by toasting it beforehand. This is how you can make anything breaded that’s baked beautifully golden ALL OVER rather than splotchy like this; and
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Single extra-strength dredge batter: no dusting with flour then dipping in egg. I use a single flour-egg dredge batter that provides extra sticking power which we need when we baked things that are breaded.
What goes in Fish Fingers
And here are the ingredients you need.
Best fish for fish fingers
I’ve used Ling – the long shape makes it ideal for cutting into fish finger batons.
Virtually any fish fillets will work here except lean fish that dries out easily, such as swordfish, kingfish, bonito and tuna.
Other popular fish that will work well include: tilapia, cod, basa, catfish, barramundi, bream, snapper, John dory / Silver dory.
See the recipes notes for more suggestions and fish to avoid.
Other ingredients
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Oil spray – There’s less than a teaspoon of oil used in the whole recipe by using oil spray instead of liquid oil. You get even coverage in a way you can never achieve using normal liquid oil. But if you don’t have spray, just substituted with a couple of tablespoons of oil;
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Mayo for batter – this might look like an odd ingredient to use, but there’s logic to my madness! The mayo adds a bit of oil into the dredge batter to help the breadcrumbs brown evenly from the inside as well as the outside. It also adds a touch of flavour;
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Parmesan – adds a boost of umami to the fish fingers, compensating for not frying in oil (because let’s face it – deep frying makes everything taste better. Even Mars Bars, apparently 😂)
Sauce for Fish Fingers
The classic sauce for Fish Fingers is Tartare Sauce which you will find in this recipe along with Thousand Island, Marie Rose and the RecipeTin Family Favourite seafood dipping sauce. All these go equally well with Fish Fingers.
If you’re after a really quick sauce, try one of these:
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Quick creamy lemon – mix together mayo, sour cream or yogurt (or a combo of these) with a squeeze of lemon juice;
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Ketchup and/or Sriracha with mayo, sour cream or yogurt (or any combo of these);
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Ketchup and/or mustard!
The breadcrumb coating is nicely flavoured, so you don’t need a ton of flavour in the sauce. You just want something wet. Even a squeeze of fresh lemon juice would suffice here!
What to serve with Fish Fingers
Here’s a few suggestions for things to serve on the side. I’m sticking with healthy options here to be one theme – but no one ever said no to a side of Cheesy Garlic Bread or homemade Wedges!
And it’s freezer friendly – from frozen!
I know those boxes of frozen fish fingers are tempting for a convenience meal. Take out of freezer, throw it on a tray, bake from frozen.
Well guess what? You can bake homemade fish fingers from frozen too! Sure it takes a little longer to make them from scratch rather than grabbing a box at the grocery store.
But these taste better, they’re way better for you and you know exactly what’s in them. Win, win, win! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Fish Fingers
Ingredients
- 600g / 1.2lb white fish fillets , patted dry (Note 1)
- Oil spray (olive oil or any plain)
Crumb
- 1 1/2 cups (75g) panko breadcrumbs (Note 2)
- 1/4 cup (25g) parmesan
- 2 tsp paprika , optional
- 1/2 tsp salt and pepper , each
Batter
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1/4 tsp salt and pepper , each
Serving
- Tartare sauce or other seafood dipping sauce
- Lemon wedges
- Finely chopped chives or parsley , garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F.
Crumbing:
- Toast breadcrumbs: Spread breadcrumbs on tray. Spray with oil, bake 4 minutes until golden. Transfer toasted breadcrumbs into bowl, add remaining Crumb ingredients and mix.
- Increase oven to 220°C / 425°F (fan 200°C). Spray used tray with oil.
- Batter: Mix Batter ingredients in a separate bowl.
- Cut the fish into strips 1.5 x 11 cm / 3/5 x 4.5" (they shink 30% in length).
- Place fish in Batter, gently mix with rubber spatula to coat. Do not leave sitting around (will become watery), coat immediately.
- Breading: Pick up fish with tongs, place in breadcrumbs. Spoon over crumb, use fingers to press to adhere.
- Baking: Transfer to baking tray. Spray with oil, bake 13 minutes or until crispy on the outside.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges, Tartare Sauce or other Sauce of choice - see here for recipes, any of these great for fish fingers! Also Note 3 for few quick sauce options.
Recipe Notes:
- Classic - Tartare Sauce which you will find in this recipe along with Thousand Island, Marie Rose and the RecipeTin Family Favourite seafood dipping sauce. All these go equally well with Fish Fingers.
- Quick sauces:
- Quick creamy lemon - mix together mayo, sour cream or yogurt (or a combo of these) with a squeeze of lemon juice;
- Pink sauce - Ketchup and/or Sriracha with mayo, sour cream or yogurt (or any combo of these);
- Ketchup and/or mustard!
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
I took this 5 minutes before I hit Publish on this recipe. He’s spotted something of interest…. just not sure what 😂 Whatever it is, it must be really captivating – he’s been out there for ages in the beating hot sun!
I made these tonight using cod fillets. Hubby and I both said this recipe is a keeper. FYI – Hubby is a Brit and makes fantastic fried fish & chips so for him to like them is saying a lot. Thanks
Yum another success, thanks again Nagi.
Now for the monkfish
Wow this was awesome, very tasty, thank you.
Hi Nagi,thanks again….just yummy
I was thinking of using monk Fish, would this require longer baking time?
Hi Chic – I don’t think it would but check it and if it needs one more minute then pop it back in. N x
I made these and my family love them, made some tartar sauce, they are crispy and delicious, thank for the recipe 🙂
So glad you enjoyed it Salome! N x
After a very long time of seeing all your great recipes I finally got busy with this one. Don’t know why I waited so long. I used cod and it was amazing. Crunchy on the outside and moist and meaty on inside. Thank you for a great recipe that can be used other ways.
The whole family loved these using ling fish. Toasting the breadcrumbs is genius! It makes such a difference to the look and taste, will definitely make again.
So easy and amazing! I used basa fillets for a low budget dinner and they turned out perfect. I added some Cajun to the panko crumb, turned out delicious.
Mixed a bit of Greek yoghurt, Mayo and squirt of lemon juice for dipping – yum..
OMG! This is now one of our favorites. Best fish sticks ever. I used tilapia and it was so light and fluffy. Also mixed a few tablespoons of mayo with a little siracha and this made a delicious dip. Thanks so much for making me a better cook, Nagi.
Made these with my 3 year old who loves to help in the kitchen…super easy, really crunchy and delicious…the kids loved them almost as much as I did! Made Nagi’s tartare sauce to go with them…really yum!😋
Amazingly easy and delicious! Thanks Nagi!
You’re so welcome Michelle!! N x
Easy to prepare and the kids loved it !
I used salmon and it came out very well
Oh my goodness. These were the biggest hit on Good Friday. I did them along with my Moroccan Prawns recipe. My husbands favourite (his request). He finished the fish fingers off instead of the prawns. Such an easy recipe and so seriously yummy.
So yummy, so easy
I’m so glad you loved them Carol! N x
I made these with salmon fillet instead of white fish tonight (didn’t include paprika) and it was amazing! Made with Nagi’s tartare sauce too of course *drool*
I’m so glad you loved it Cassy!! N x
Yum yum yum. Thank you for such an easy and delicious recipe. I’ve made a few of your dishes now and always see others I want to try. Thank you for making cooking so fun and straight forward.
Hi Nagi! Can I use halibut for this recipe? Thanks!
Yes 100% Juan! N x
Nagi-Thank you for a delicious “adult version” of fish sticks. I have made these twice and both times my family loved them. The coating is soooo good and crispy!! My daughter suggested this go on the regular dinner rotation. I make your “Tin Family Favorite Seafood Dipping Sauce” to go with them (which is AWESOME!!) and that just puts this dinner over the top scrumptious!! Yes, there is a bit of prep work but it is all worth the effort!! Thank you for a great recipe!!
Another amazing recipe- it was perfect. Really great lunch recipe that was quick and easy to make and absolutely delicious!
Absolutely delicious! They came out perfect! My husband is a fan! I used cod and I can’t wait to try it again with sockeye salmon or chicken fingers! Thank you, Nagi!
(from Vancouver Island)