Crispy Oven-Baked Fish Sticks with Lemon Garlic Dip

Get out of the dinner rut with golden, crisp yet tender Baked Fish Sticks. They’re a healthy, flavorful dinner any night of the week.

A large white serving plate with a pile of golden battered fish sticks surrounding a small glass dish of tartar sauce.

Get out of the Dinner Rut

We were stuck in a dinner rut, so one Thursday I decided to try something different—something the whole family would enjoy and that I could add to our weeknight rotation. These Baked Fish Sticks were exactly what we needed.

A white plate with four fish sticks and two slices of lemon.

A Light and Versatile Meal

When the weather warms up, a fresh, light meal hits the spot. These fish sticks are versatile—you can top a salad for adults or serve with veggies and hummus for the kids. Once fish came to mind, it felt like the perfect choice.

A large white serving plate with a pile of golden battered fish sticks surrounding a small glass dish of tartar sauce. A hand is holding a fish stick over the platter.

Family-Friendly Fresh Fish

I’d avoided cooking fresh fish for the boys because I worried they wouldn’t eat it, but they loved these baked fish sticks and asked for more. If you’re serving kids, cod is a great choice—mild, flaky and without a strong fishy odor.

A large white serving plate with a pile of golden battered fish sticks surrounding a small glass dish of tartar sauce. One fish stick is dipped into the tartar sauce.

Crunchy, Moist, Flaky and Flavorful

These Baked Fish Sticks are crunchy outside, moist and flaky inside, with lemon and garlic brightening the fish. They’re so good—one child called them “fancy chicken” while the others happily gobbled them up.

Dinner in 30 Minutes

This is one of the easiest, tastiest dishes for a busy weeknight. Aside from the fish, you likely have all the ingredients on hand. Pick up fresh fillets on your way home, and you’ll have dinner ready in about 30 minutes.

A large white serving plate with a pile of golden battered fish sticks surrounding a small glass dish of tartar sauce. There's a small wooden spoon sticking out of the tartar sauce.

What You Need

(See recipe card below for exact measurements)

All-purpose flour
Yellow cornmeal
Sugar
Garlic salt
Ground pepper
Large egg
Milk
Fresh lemon juice
Cod fillets (or another mild white fish)
Olive oil
Tartar sauce or lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Ingredients to make baked fish sticks in small glass dishes on a white marble counter.

More Hot Meals in Minutes

Quick dinners that feed a hungry family are lifesavers on busy nights. Try these fish sticks alongside other fast, comforting meals when time is short.

How to Make Baked Fish Sticks

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a baking rack on a rimmed baking sheet and spray with cooking spray. If you don’t have a rack, line the sheet with parchment paper.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, garlic salt and pepper.
In another shallow bowl, whisk the egg, milk and lemon juice.
Cut the fish crosswise into 3×1-inch strips.

Steps to make homemade baked fish sticks.

One at a time, dredge fish strips in the egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Coat each piece with the flour mixture, pressing to adhere. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle each stick with a little olive oil.
Bake 15–20 minutes, or until the coating is golden and the fish is cooked through, flipping the sticks after about 10 minutes.
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or lemon wedges for a simple, healthy family meal.

These fish sticks are great for meals, lunches or snack times—everyone seems to enjoy them and they’re easy to prepare in batches.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

To freeze cooked fish sticks, cool completely and place in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Reheat on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven until heated through.

To freeze before baking, arrange sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash-freeze about 1 hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. To bake from frozen, place on a rack over a baking sheet in a 400°F oven for 20–25 minutes, flipping after 10 minutes.

A wire cooking rack on a baking sheet with six fish sticks on top.

If you make these Baked Fish Sticks and share a photo on social media, tag @thebakermama so I can see your creations. I love seeing how you put your own spin on the recipes. Enjoy!

xoxo,

Baked Fish Sticks

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Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Yield: about 25 fish sticks
Category: Fish

Print Recipe

Description

Baked Fish Sticks make a healthy, delicious dinner any night of the week.

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 large egg
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 pound cod fillets, about 1-inch thick
Olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a baking rack on a rimmed baking sheet and spray with cooking spray. If you don’t have a baking rack, line the sheet with parchment paper.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, garlic salt and pepper.
In another shallow bowl, whisk together the egg, milk and lemon juice.
Cut the fish crosswise into 3×1-inch strips. One at a time, dredge the fish strips in the egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Coat each strip with the flour mixture, pressing to adhere. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and repeat. Drizzle each stick with a little olive oil.
Bake 15–20 minutes, or until the coating is golden and the fish is cooked through, flipping the sticks after about 10 minutes.
Serve with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce.