Air Fryer Fish Sticks: Paleo & Low Carb

Hi friends! Today I am sharing with you my recipe for air fryer fish sticks.  When I first got my air fryer, I didn’t realize how handy it would become or how often I would use it. But we use this thing about 3 times a week to make everything from veggies to chicken to fish.  It’s probably one of my favorite kitchen appliances.  I felt like an air fryer fish sticks recipe was in order because really, how do you not enjoy a crispy crunchy finger food? This recipe is paleo and low car friendly as well as Whole30 compliant.  It’s a gluten free, delicious meal or snack that is the perfect comfort food!

There are two different ways you can make this recipe.  My favorite method for air fry cooking is the dry-wet-dry method.  I have found that this method tends to give me the best results for a true “fried food” consistency.  You can absolutely achieve super tasty results with just a wet-dry method though so I will outline both here so you have options.

Other Air fryer recipes you may love

Air Fried Buffalo Chicken Strips

Air Fried Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Air Fried Buffalo Cauliflower

Air Fried Chili Lime Tilapia

The first ingredient in the dry-wet-dry scenario, is the flour.  I used almond flour in this recipe but I have also used gluten-free flour and it works just as well. Next, I dip the fish in an egg wash (your wet ingredient) and lastly, I roll the fish stick in the last dry ingredient.  You can use panko if you prefer but if you are trying to keep things paleo or lower carb, you can use pork rinds like I did here.  Crushed pork rinds worked perfectly to give me that panko like consistency without the increase in carbs.  You can use any pork rinds you prefer but I used Epic Sea Salt Pork Rinds because the ingredients are great and the fat content isn’t super high.

For the second method, you will simply leave out the last dry ingredient (panko or pork rinds), tweak the seasoning a bit and then dip the fish stick in the egg before rolling in the almond flour.  Easy peasy!

Cooking times do vary based on the thickness of your fish and your air fryer but I found 8 minutes flipping halfway through to be the perfect time for mine.  My air fryer is from Gourmia and I love the digital options it has!

As a kid I love my fish sticks with plain old ketchup.  As an adult, not much has changed.  But you can serve this with your favorite tartar sauce as well.  Or make your own by combining the following ingredients:

• ¼ cup mayo
• Chopped dill pickles (as much or as little as you prefer. I used about 4 hamburger pickle slices)
• ½ tsp dried dill
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt to taste

Check out the full recipe for air fryer fish sticks below!

Air Fryer Fish Sticks: Paleo & Low Carb

• Author: Jen Lopez
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Total Time: 13 minutes
• Yield: 2-3 1x
• Category: Main Dishes
• Method: Air Fryer

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Ingredients

Dry-Wet-Dry Method

12 ounces Alaskan cod filets cut into 2-inch slices (I got about 20 fish sticks out of mine)

2 eggs

2 ounces pork rinds crushed to into a bread crumb like consistency

1/3 cup almond flour

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp paprika

Salt and pepper to taste (I used salted pork rinds so I didn’t need as much additional salt but if you use unsalted, you will need to add a little extra)

Wet-Dry Method

12 ounces Alaskan cod filets cut into 2-inch slices (I got about 20 fish sticks out of mine)

2 eggs

2 ounces pork rinds crushed to into a bread crumb like consistency

1 cup almond flour (you may have a little left over)

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Crack eggs and whisk together in a small bowl

Combine almond flour, paprika, salt, pepper and garlic powder and spread on a plate

Add crushed pork rinds to another plate and place in an assembly line starting with the almond flour mixture, then the eggs, followed by the pork rinds

Roll fish in the almond flour, dip into the egg wash and then roll into the pork rind crumbs

Using tongs, place in a single layer in the air fryer.  I was able to fit 10 in comfortably, so I did 2 batches.

Set air fryer to 380 degrees and heat for 8 minutes flipping halfway through

When your fish is all done, squeeze lemon juice over the top, pair with your favorite condiment and enjoy!

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Notes

Note: If you are making it without the pork rinds, simply skip that step and drip fish into the egg wash first and then the almond flour mixture.