Craving a restaurant-quality meal that's ready in just 25 minutes? These golden, crispy cod fish sticks are about to become your new weeknight hero! Imagine perfectly breaded, crunchy exterior giving way to tender, flaky fish that'll make both kids and adults cheer at the dinner table. Whether you're a busy parent, a cooking novice, or a seafood enthusiast, this foolproof recipe transforms simple cod into a mouthwatering masterpiece that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb cod fillets
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Cooking oil for frying
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your workspace. Gather all the ingredients: 1 lb of cod fillets, 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup of flour, 2 eggs, salt, pepper, and cooking oil for frying. Ensure you have a large plate or shallow dish for the flour, another for the beaten eggs, and a third for the breadcrumbs.
- Rinse the cod fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Cut the fillets into even strips, about 1 inch wide, to ensure they cook evenly.
- In a shallow dish, add the flour. Season the flour with salt and pepper to taste, mixing well to combine.
- In another bowl, crack the 2 eggs and whisk them until they are well combined. You can add a pinch of salt and pepper to the eggs if desired.
- In a third shallow dish, place the breadcrumbs. You can use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs based on your preference for added flavor.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add enough cooking oil to cover the bottom of the pan, about 1/4 inch deep. Allow the oil to heat up while you bread the fish.
- Take each strip of cod and first dredge it in the seasoned flour, ensuring it is fully coated. Shake off any excess flour.
- Next, dip the floured cod strip into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess egg to drip off.
- Finally, coat the cod strip in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere well. Place the breaded fish sticks on a plate and repeat the process with the remaining cod strips.
- Once the oil is hot (you can test it by dropping a small piece of bread into the oil; it should sizzle), carefully add the breaded fish sticks to the skillet in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; you may need to work in batches.
- Fry the fish sticks for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to flip them carefully to prevent breaking.
- Once cooked, transfer the crispy cod fish sticks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Season with additional salt if desired.
- Serve the crispy cod fish sticks hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as tartar sauce or ketchup, and enjoy!
Tips
- Pat your cod fillets completely dry before breading to ensure maximum crispiness
- Use fresh, high-quality breadcrumbs for the best texture and flavor
- Maintain oil temperature around 375°F for optimal golden-brown results
- Don't overcrowd the pan - fry in batches to keep fish sticks crisp
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure fish reaches 145°F internal temperature
- For extra flavor, mix herbs or spices into your breadcrumb coating
- Let fish sticks drain on a wire rack instead of paper towels to prevent sogginess
- Serve immediately for the crunchiest experience
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 95mg
