Crispy Baked Fish Sticks

Eating With Zion

December 9, 2025

20-25 minutes

super easy

about 30 fish sticks

🐟✨ Crispy Baked Fish Sticks (Baby, Toddler & Kid Approved!)

These crispy baked fish sticks come out insane! You will literally think they are fried, but they aren’t. They are baked into the most beautiful texture.💛 Once I made them at home, I honestly never wanted to buy store-bought fish sticks again. They come out perfectly golden and crunchy on the outside, while staying soft, flaky, and tender on the inside, making them easy to chew for little ones as young as 10 months old when served safely.

I used wild-caught cod, and it was seriously so good. The flavor was mild, buttery, and perfect for kids. The simple coating of egg, oil, and golden breadcrumbs gives these that classic fish stick taste, without preservatives, fillers, or mystery ingredients. They bake up beautifully in the oven and are perfect for a kid-friendly lunch idea, dinner, or even meal prep for busy weeks. 🐟✨

💛 Why Kids Love Them:

Easy to hold and self-feed, perfect for baby-led weaning (BLW)
Mild, soft, flaky inside
Fun “finger food” shape
Perfect for dipping sauces- try it with my baby-friendly tarter sauce

🐠 Best Fish to Use:

Cod – Mild, flaky, and baby-friendly ⭐ (my choice)
Tilapia – Budget-friendly and very soft
Pollock – Traditional fish stick fish
Haddock – Slightly sweet and tender
Flounder – Super soft and easy to chew

Always use boneless, skinless white fish.

Breadcrumb Options:

Golden breadcrumbs – classic flavor (my choice)
Panko – extra crispy
Gluten-free breadcrumbs – allergy friendly
Crushed cornflakes – another great option

👶🧒 Serving Suggestions by Age:

10–12 Months

Serve fish sticks as is or cut into small, soft bite-size pieces
Serve plain or with a thin layer of yogurt dip
Pair with very soft steamed veggies or mashed potatoes

12–24 Months (Toddlers)

Serve as is or in halves
Serve with mild dips like yogurt sauce, mashed avocado, baby-friendly Tartar Sauce or ketchup
Add soft rice, mashed potatoes or small pasta shapes on the side, with a side of roasted veggies

🔄 Substitutions:

Fish: tilapia, pollock, haddock, flounder
Egg-free: use flour + milk slurry
Oil: olive oil or avocado oil
Breadcrumbs: regular, panko, gluten-free, or crushed cornflakes

What You Need:

Baking Tray

Parchment Paper

If you enjoyed this recipe, here are some more kid-friendly lunch ideas:

Fish & Chips

Crispy Baked Chicken Cutlets

Sweet Potato Chicken Fritters

Cheesy Tuna Poppers

No Reviews

Ingredients

Adjust Servings

	1.5 lbs. white fish, I used cod (skinless and boneless)
	3 eggs
	2 cups breadcrumbs of choice
	olive oil or avocado oil for cooking
	1/2 tsp salt (omit for younger babies)
	1/2 tsp garlic powder
	1/2 tsp onion powder
	1 tsp paprika

Directions

1.

Preheat oven to 400F

Mark as complete

2.

Clean your fish and pat dry, cut fish into stick-shaped strips. The key is to making sure they are not thick, kids and even myself like them thinner and each piece doesn't have to look exactly the same, remember they puff up a little when cooking.

Mark as complete

3.

Set up a station with your cut fish, eggs, breadcrumbs and baking tray lined with parchment paper. Add salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika to breadcrumbs and mix in. Another important part that will make your fish sticks get the best texture, is drizzle a little oil on the parchment paper lined baking tray before adding the fish.