Fish fingers. Yum. They’re incredibly popular – a survey by Bird’s Eye revealed that Brits crunch through a staggering 1.5 million of them every day. They’re a pretty versatile ingredient too. You can serve them up with chips ‘n peas for a quick kids meal, or make a fish finger sandwich loaded with other tasty stuff.

Today, we’ll show you how to pair up fish fingers with an air fryer. Because with an air fryer you can get a crispy, golden crust without any mess, in just a fraction of the time. No more waiting for the grill or oven to heat up, no more frying your fish fingers in lots of oil.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of cooking frozen fish fingers in an air fryer. From temperature to timing, we’ve got everything covered. And stick around till the end, for an epic fish finger sandwich recipe.

Step-by-step guide: how to cook fish fingers in an air fryer

Got your fish fingers ready? Good. Let’s get going…

Step 1: preheat the air fryer

Get that air fryer warmed up. Preheating your air fryer isn’t always necessary, but for fish fingers, it helps them cook evenly and give you a nice, crispy finish. So set your air fryer to 200°C and let it heat up for about 3-5 minutes.

Step 2: arrange the fish fingers in the basket

When your air fryer has heated up, take your frozen fish fingers and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd the basket, as this can prevent them from cooking evenly. If you’re making a larger batch, you might need to cook them in two rounds.
Pro tip: No oil needed! Most frozen fish fingers already come with a breaded coating that crisps up in the air fryer without any added oil.

Step 3: Set the timer and temperature

Now for the actual cooking. Set the air fryer 200°C and cook the fish fingers for 8-10 minutes. If you like them extra crispy, you can go for the full 10 minutes. For a softer crust, stick to 8 minutes.

Step 4: Flip them halfway through

To give your fish fingers an even crispiness all over, flip them halfway through the cooking time – that’s around the 4-5 minute mark. Some air fryers beep to let you know it’s time to flip, but if yours doesn’t, just set a timer on your phone.

Step 5: Check for doneness

After about 8-10 minutes, open the air fryer basket and check if the fish fingers are golden brown. If they’re not as crispy as you’d like, pop them back in for an extra 1-2 minutes.

Your fish fingers are now ready. Serve them up with your favourite dips’n things and enjoy!

Fishy FAQs

Do I need to thaw frozen fish fingers before air frying them?

Nope. One of the best things about the air fryer is that you can cook fish fingers straight from frozen. Just pop them in and let the air fryer do the work.

Can I cook fresh or homemade fish fingers in the air fryer?

Absolutely! If you’re cooking fresh non-frozen fingers, follow the same instructions - but you might need to spray them lightly with oil to get that perfect crispiness. Also, keep an eye on the timing – fresh fish fingers might cook a little faster than frozen ones.

How can I prevent fish fingers from sticking to the air fryer basket?

If you’ve noticed sticking, try lightly spraying the basket with a bit of non-stick spray or brushing it with oil before placing the fish fingers in. But in general, fish fingers are breaded and shouldn’t have too much of an issue with sticking.

What’s the ideal temperature and cooking time for fish fingers?

The best temperature is 400°F (200°C), and the cooking time is 8-10 minutes. But since every air fryer varies, it’s a good idea to check them around the 8-minute mark to make sure they’re cooked to your liking.

Today’s star recipe: a proper fish finger sandwich

Now that you’ve mastered cooking fish fingers in the air fryer, let us share this epic fish finger sandwich recipe with you. This isn’t just any sandwich – it’s a crunchy, tangy, creamy taste sensation.

What you’ll need:

• 4-5 cooked fish fingers

• 2 slices of your favourite bread (sourdough is great. Basic white bread is absolutely fine too)

• 1-2 tbsp tartar sauce (or mayo, if you prefer)

• Lettuce leaves (gem or romaine work well)

• Pickles (optional, but they add a delicious tang)

• A few fresh cucumber slices

• Salt and pepper to taste

What to do:

1. Prepare the bread. Get two slices ready. Toast them lightly if you prefer, but we love the texture of soft, fresh bread.

2. Prepare your sauce. Standard tartar sauce or mayo is fine, but adding some lemon or lime juice makes a big difference. Give it a try!

3. Assemble the sandwich. Spread a generous layer of tartar sauce (or mayo) on each slice of bread. Lay a couple of lettuce leaves on the bottom slice, followed by your freshly cooked fish fingers. Add a couple of pickles (if you like them), and a few cucumber slices on top. Season with a bit of salt and pepper.

4. Top it off. Place the second slice of bread on top, gently pressing down to secure everything.

5. Slice and serve. Cut the sandwich in half, and serve it up while it’s still warm.

Need more inspiration?

Cooking fish fingers in the air fryer is a game-changer. With a few simple steps, you can have perfectly crispy fingers in minutes, with no mess or fuss. For other ingredient and recipe ideas, check out our articles on air fryer gammon: easy and delicious recipes, air fryer carrots: easy 10-minute recipe, and air fryer bacon: our ultimate guide.