Fish sticks are one of those convenience foods universally loved by adults and kids alike. This is because they’re easy to make and can be paired with almost any food you can think of.
When in a rush, fish sticks are a reliable quick fix that will wholly satisfy you. They’re primarily made from whitefish that have been battered or breaded. The common types of whitefish used in making fish sticks include; cod, hake, haddock, or pollock.
They can either be baked in an oven, grilled, deep-fried or shallow-fried, depending on how you like it.
The history of fish sticks dates back to 1900 when it was first referenced in a recipe published in a popular British magazine.
Since fish sticks are mostly frozen when bought, most people fall into the dilemma of figuring the best way to heat them and this raises the popular question; can you microwave fish sticks? Sure you can! With the microwave set to half power, microwave the sticks a minute at a time till they are hot. This usually takes a few extra minutes but it ensures the fish fingers are in a neat shape and the crisp crumb coating doesn’t peel away.
What to Know When Microwaving Fish Sticks
Microwaving fish sticks requires a great deal of carefulness and patience if you want them to come out nice. You have to cook them slowly and not simply place them on a microwave plate and set the dial to 3 minutes on high power. They’ll surely cook with this method, but they’ll also get mushy and fall apart. I’m sure you don’t want unappetizing looking fish sticks on your plate.
Also, while fish sticks are delicious, it’s advisable to keep a scented candle in the kitchen while microwaving it because the stench stays for days sometimes and you don’t want your kitchen in a bad shape after enjoying some delicious fish sticks.
On the other hand, some people are of the view that if a fish stick doesn’t come with a microwaveable package, which is usually metallic and is designed to retain its crispness then you shouldn’t microwave it because the bread coating will come out mushy.
However, this view is not entirely true, which is why I’ll be listing out a step by step procedure on how to microwave your fish sticks and still retain their delightful crispness
How to Heat Fish Sticks in the Microwave
Like I stated earlier, to get the best results while microwaving fish sticks you need to be careful and patient. If not, the fish sticks can turn out mushy and messy. So here’s a method that gets you a better result and retains the look of the fish sticks even after the microwaving process.
Best Method for Microwaving Fish Sticks:
- Lay the fish sticks down in a flat dish.
- Microwave the fish sticks on a medium/high power (800 watts/E) for 1 minute. Carefully turn them over and microwave for another 1 minute.
- Turn them over and microwave for the 3rd minute. At this point, the fish sticks should be fully cooked.
- Microwave the fish fingers for short bursts of time, just 1 minute in the first instance
- This is where you serve your delicious fish sticks which you’ve carefully and patiently made all by yourself.
Alternative Methods for Heating Up Fish Sticks
Ideally, fish sticks are mostly fried, grilled, or cooked in an oven. Here is the breakdown:
- Conventional Oven: Preheat to 475°F. Place the frozen fish sticks on a lightly greased baking sheet, cook for 11 to 13 minutes until it becomes crisp. Ensure to turn it midway into the bake time for optimal results.
- Air Fryer: Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F. Place the frozen fish sticks in a single layer, and cook for 10 to 11 minutes.
- Deep Fry: Heat oil to 350°F. Fry the frozen fish sticks for 3 to 4 minutes till it turns to a golden brown color.
However, it’s very important to note that cooking times and temperature may slightly vary. But in all instances, the internal temperature should be at least 165°F.
Related Questions:
To ensure that you are up to date with everything as regards this topic; here are commonly asked questions that might be popping in your head right now and answers to each of them.
Are Fish Sticks Already Cooked?
It is important you always read the product package. When you check closely many of them indicate in small prints if it’s fully cooked or not. In a case where it says “fully cooked”, then it’s safe to eat them straight out of the package, although they’ll be hard on your teeth if it’s still frozen.
What Do You Eat with Fish Sticks?
Fish sticks are quite universal and can go with a whole lot of other things to form a nice dinner or breakfast. Here are some sides to serve with fish sticks: tartar sauce, french fries, sweet potato fries, and mac & cheese.