Can you microwave fish sticks? Yes! Frozen fish sticks are already cooked, which means you just have to heat them up. The microwave is the perfect medium to do this, and there are ways that you can reheat or cook frozen fish sticks in the microwave so that they are still delicious and crunchy.
Keep reading if you are interested in learning more about heating fish sticks, fish fingers, or even a fish fillet up in the microwave. This article explains why it is safe to cook fish sticks in the microwave, how to do so, and the best way to do it to get that crunchy texture on the outside. Scroll down for more!
Can I Cook Fish Sticks in the Microwave?
If you are looking to heat up fish sticks, you probably have a box of frozen fish sticks ready to heat up. Frozen fish sticks can be cooked in multiple ways including in the microwave. Many people prefer cooking fish sticks in the oven because fish sticks will become crispier with this method.
However, they’re nothing wrong with cooking fish sticks in the microwave. Most store-bought frozen fish sticks come with microwave instructions on the box or bag because companies know that people want to use the microwave. Even if you are trying to reheat fish sticks from the night before, you can do so in the microwave.
In fact, cooking fish sticks in the microwave in the microwave is a good option if you want a quick, clean, and healthy way to heat them. The microwave doesn’t require any extra oil that would be needed for pan frying or deep frying them. And they take just a few minutes to heat up. So microwaving fish sticks is actually a great way to get a fast and easy meal.
To heat or reheat fish sticks in the microwave, place them in a single layer on a microwave-safe dish so they are not overlapping or touching each other. This will allow them to heat better and reduce the likeliness of their batter getting soggy. You don’t need to thaw the fish sticks beforehand.
Follow the directions that come with the fish sticks. Microwave cook times vary. If you’re in doubt, microwave them on high power for 1 minute, flip them, then microwave for an additional 30 seconds. For lower wattage microwaves or more sticks on the plate, you may have to increase the cooking time and check if they are done at each interval.
You might find that the fish sticks are very oily once heated. You can manage this by dabbing the fish sticks with a paper towel or napkin while they are still hot to absorb some of the oil.
Is It Safe to Microwave Fish Sticks?
Many individuals are hesitant to microwave fish sticks because they are afraid that the fish sticks will not be properly cooked. Depending on the company of fish sticks you purchase, the fish sticks may already be cooked. Some brands of fish sticks are breaded and deep fried before being frozen and packaged.
But it’s a good idea to check the fish sticks that you purchase and follow the cooking instructions. No matter which cooking method you use to heat up your fish sticks, the internal temperature needs to reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be safely consumed. Microwaves can easily get the inside of your fish sticks to this temperature in just a couple of minutes.
Can I Reheat Fish Sticks in the Microwave?
If you had fish sticks the night before and saved them as leftovers, you can reheat the fish sticks in the microwave. Reheating the fish sticks will just heat them up so that they are tasty again.
You can reheat fish sticks in the conventional oven as well, but this process will take longer. Consequently, many individuals prefer reheating fish sticks in the microwave.
Again, be sure to place the fish sticks in a single layer on a microwavable plate so they are not overlapping or touching each other. This will allow them to reheat well and more evenly for a better outcome.
How Do I Get Fish Sticks Crispy in the Microwave?
The difficulty with cooking and reheating fish sticks in the microwave is that the breading gets soggy. Microwaves use moisture within food to heat the food, so the breading on a fish stick may get soggy as it heats up.
Some people report getting the best results by using a crisper pan in the microwave to keep their fish sticks from getting soggy. This may help but your fish sticks will likely not be as crispy as if you reheat them with an alternative method such as the oven or air fryer. It’s good to know this so you can decide if you want to microwave your fish sticks or use another way.
What are other ways to cook fish sticks?
You can cook fish sticks in the microwave, toaster oven, conventional oven, or air fryer, or pan fry them on the stovetop. Although microwaving is the fastest method, you may want to try the other methods at least once to see which is the best method or gives you your favorite results. My preferred method is the air fryer because it uses no extra oils for fewer calories than some other methods. The fish sticks end up golden brown and with an extra crunch too.
How do you cook fish sticks in the air fryer?
The cooking process for the air fryer is simple.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the fish sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Set the air fryer to 400 degrees for 7 minutes.
Note that the number of fish sticks that can cook at once will depend on the size of your basket. You may need to work in two or more batches. You may also need to cook the fish sticks a few minutes longer depending on the wattage of your air fryer. Be sure fish sticks get to 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving them.
How do you cook fish sticks in a conventional oven?
Cooking fish sticks in a conventional oven is a good way to ensure the crunchiness of fish sticks.
- Set the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the fish sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Cook for at least 15 minutes.
You may need to cook the fish sticks longer and flip them half way through cooking to get them crispier and crunchier on the outside and ensure they reach 165 degrees on the inside.
What do you eat with fish sticks?
Fish sticks are versatile. They can be eaten by themselves as a snack or as part of a meal. You can add a little seasoning to them such as salt and pepper or dunk them in some sauce.
Popular dipping sauce favors are
- Tartar sauce
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Buffalo sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Marinara sauce
My personal favorite is Kewpie mayonnaise mixed with sriracha sauce. The options are endless!
Final Thoughts
It is completely safe to cook fish sticks in the microwave. Whether you have frozen fish sticks or leftover fish sticks, the microwave is a convenient tool that can help you get the fish sticks heated up fast. Just make sure that the fish sticks reach 165 degrees internally and use a crisper to get the best texture.