Breaded fish sticks are the ultimate comfort food. With their crunchy outside and tender flaky insides, they bring back memories of childhood. Whether you're having homemade fish or frozen fish sticks, these side dishes will elevate your meal to a whole new level.
Easy sides for fish sticks can be pulled straight from the freezer or pantry. Think French fries, corn on the cob, canned corn, coleslaw, potato chips, baked beans, sour pickles, macaroni and cheese, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes. Just heat or serve!
What Are Fish Sticks?
Also called fish fingers, fish sticks are a popular frozen convenience food made from white fish fillets that bake or fry until golden brown and crispy. They make a great snack or a quick meal for kids and adults.
According to The Tasting Table, commercial fish sticks were developed in the USA in the 1950s by Gorton's, a seafood company in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Modeled after the hot dog, fish sticks were made to be convenient handheld food that just had to be heated in the oven. Try our Fried Mahi Mahi recipe to make homemade fish sticks with fresh Mahi Mahi from Key West.
Best Sauces For Fish Sticks
Fish sticks need a sweet and tangy sauce to get them to a whole other level.
The best sauces for fish sticks include classic tartar sauce, ketchup, or a zesty cocktail sauce. You can also try ranch, honey mustard, or spicy mayo for more flavor.
Our recipe for creamy homemade tartar sauce is a classic. It's easy to make at home and much better than the bottled versions!
Cilantro Lime Crema is a tangy, sour cream-based sauce that adds flavor and freshness to every bite. While traditionally used for fish tacos, this creamy sauce is great on fish sticks too!
Make your own seafood cocktail sauce in minutes! This easy recipe is tangy, spicy, and perfect for fish sticks, shrimp, crab, or any seafood platter. Better than store-bought!
Spicy mayo is a simple sauce that pairs well with fish sticks. It's creamy with a little heat and takes just a minute to mix together. Drizzle it over the fish or serve it on the side for dipping.
The Best Sides for Fish Sticks
Pair fish sticks with potatoes for a classic meal. Top choices include crispy hot French fries, potato wedges, or mashed potatoes. The combination of fish and potatoes creates a comforting meal.
Oven-Roasted White Potatoes are a healthier version of French fries.
Roasted Baby Gold Potatoes are baked tiny round gold potatoes roasted with olive oil and seasonings.
Sweet Coleslaw is the perfect side for fish sticks! The creamy, tangy crunch pairs beautifully with the crispy fish, making it a classic and delicious combo.
Roasted Tiny Red Potatoes are ideal for quick weeknight fish dinners. They have a sweet and creamy taste and are ready in 20 minutes.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes are little crispy sweet potato chunks that bake in the oven or air fryer.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes Smooth poached garlic mashed potatoes and crispy fish make the ultimate comfort-food.
Pasta Sides
Macaroni and Cheese is always a home run! Our stovetop version is made in one pot.
Macaroni Salad has a creamy texture and a flavorful mix of ingredients. It's a staple side dish that perfectly complements crispy breaded fish.
Best Vegetables To Go with Fish Sticks
The best vegetable pairings have texture and a hint of sweetness.
Steamed Broccoli and Carrots is a healthy sweet side dish that's easy to make. Ready in just ten minutes from start to finish!
Green Beans with Garlic and Parmesan make a flavorful side dish. Cook string beans in a skillet with garlic until tender-crisp, then finish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and lemon zest.
Roasted Broccoli is a simple sheet pan recipe that gets very crispy. It's easy to make and this dish adds a wholesome touch to your meal. Kids love this too!
Fish Sticks and Rice
Spanish Rice is my mom's recipe and it's perfect. I've been eating this rice since I could sit up and it goes with almost anything.
Lemon Asparagus Rice with lemon zest is a very refreshing grown-up rice side.
Cajun Dirty Rice is a southern staple with rich flavors.
Don't Forget the Lemon!
Not only does lemon look pretty on your plate, but the acidity of lemon juice enhances the flavor of fish.
FAQ
Fish sticks pair well with simple sides like French fries, coleslaw, or macaroni and cheese. For a lighter option, serve with a green salad, steamed vegetables, or rice. Tartar sauce, ketchup, or lemon wedges are classic on the side.
For a quick weeknight dinner, open a can of corn, steam vegetables, or make white jasmine rice. A simple green salad works too. These sides come together in minutes.
To cook frozen fish sticks, bake them on a sheet pan in a preheated oven at 350°F or 400°F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through until they're golden and crispy.
