How to cook frozen Fish Fingers in air fryer
Frozen fish fingers can be cooked in an air fryer with care; the coating does have a knack of peeling off while all fish fingers risk breaking apart.
Cook between 5-10 fish fingers in an air fryer at 400°F / 205°C; taking no longer than 10 minutes for regular fish fingers; 12 minutes for the Chunky version. Sit 5 fish fingers on a length of parchment paper for ease of use; adding an additional strip of lining to air fry an extra 5 fish fingers separately to avoid overcrowding.
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If there is one thing air fryers do very well is cook breaded/battered foods as intended. And that is air frying the coating to a light golden crisp with no burning and drying out of the white fish.
To do that, its vital you air fry most frozen fish finger varieties at 400°F/205°C, beginning with a 5 minute preheat.
How long to air fry standard fish fingers will take 10-11 minutes in total - turning each fish finger over halfway - while what are sold as 'chunky fish fingers' will take 12-13 minutes.
Certainly no harm in breaking a fish finger in half when its done air frying, so you can be sure its cooked all the way through.
Never air fry fish fingers directly on an air fryer basket because they're sure to stick. Rely on a length of parchment paper which will ensure they remain stick-free. Parchment paper will also act as a way to drag or lift the fish fingers out of the basket.
Air fry fewer than 10 fish fingers to make it easy to manage; where you should position a row of 5 fish fingers on two lengths of parchment paper. Remember access parchment paper will float up into the heating element and burn.
Handle frozen battered or breaded fish fingers with care as the coating will very easily split open, thus exposing the white fish which will dry out.
When the cooking time comes to an end be sure to keep an eye on the colour of the coating to ensure it doesn't burn in the final minutes.
NOTE: Cooking instructions were accomplished using Birds Eye Omega 3 Fish Fingers, made of Alaska Pollock.
How long to cook fish fingers in air fryer table
Quick and easy frozen fish finger time and temperature table where you can match the frozen fish fingers on the list - to the box you have in your freezer; of which you can air fry them according to these instructions.
| Store: | Qt. | Product: | Weigh: | Oven: Frozen | Air Fryer: Frozen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALDI | 15 | The Fishmonger Breaded Omega 3 Fish Fingers | 460g / 30.6g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| ALDI | 10 | Everyday Essentials Fish Fingers | 250g / 25g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 12 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 11 Mins. |
| ALDI | 6 | Specially Selected Jumbo Chunky Cod Fish Fingers | 400g / 66.6g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 16 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| ALDI | 6 | Specially Selected Jumbo Battered Salt & Vinegar Chunky Cod Fish Fingers | 400g / 66.6g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 16 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| ALDI | 10 | The Fishmonger Breaded Cod Fish Fingers | 300g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| ASDA | 10 | Omega 3 Fish Fingers | 300g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| ASDA | 10 | Flaky Cod Fish Fingers | 300g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| ASDA | 30 | Flaky Cod Fish Fingers | 900g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| ASDA | 10 | Just Essentials Fish Fingers | 250g / 25g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 12 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 11 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 10 | Omega 3 Fish Fingers | 280g / 28g | 445°F/230°C; FAN 410°F/210°C - 12-15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C - 10 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 20 | Cod Fish Fingers | 560g / 28g | 445F/230°C; FAN 410°F/210°C - 12-15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C - 10 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 20 | Omega Fish Fingers | 560g / 28g | 445F/230°C; FAN 410°F/210°C - 12-15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C - 10 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 26 | Crispy Battered Fish Fingers | 728g / 28g | 445F/230°C; FAN 410°F/210°C - 12-15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C - 10 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 30 | Omega 3 Fish Fingers | 840g / 28g | 445F/230°C; FAN 410°F/210°C - 12-15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C - 10 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 10 | Haddock Fish Fingers | 280g / 28g | 445F/230°C; FAN 410°F/210°C - 12-15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C - 10 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 10 | Cod Fish Fingers | 280g / 28g | 445F/230°C; FAN 410°F/210°C - 12-15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C - 10 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 8 | Crispy Batter Fish Fingers | 224g / 28g | 445F/230°C; FAN 410°F/210°C - 12-15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C - 10 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 12 | Green Cuisine Vegan Fishless Fingers | 336g / 28g | 445F/230°C; FAN 410°F/210°C - 12-15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C - 10 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 6 | Chunky Fish Fingers; Chip Shop Curry | 360g / 60g | 410°F/210°C; FAN /190°C - 20 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 18 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 6 | Chunky Breaded Fish Fingers | 360g / 60g | 410°F/210°C; FAN /190°C - 20 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 18 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 6 | Chunky Battered Fish Fingers | 360g / 60g | 410°F/210°C; FAN /190°C - 20 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 18 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 12 | Wholegrain Fish Fingers | 360g / 30g | 445F/230°C; FAN /210°C - 12-15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 12 Mins. |
| Birds Eye | 12 | Gluten Free Fish Fingers | 360g / 30g | 445F/230°C; FAN 410°F/210°C - 12-15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Harry Ramsden's | 6 | Jumbo Battered Cod Fillet Fish Fingers | 500g / 83.3g | FAN 390°F/200°C - 25-30 Mins. | 390°F/200°C; - 22 Mins. |
| Iceland | 10 | Breaded Fillet Fish Fingers | 250g / 25g | FAN 390°F/200°C - 12 Mins. | 390°F/200°C; - 11 Mins. |
| Iceland | 30 | Cod Fillet Fish Fingers | 900g / 30g | FAN 390°F/200°C - 10-12 Mins. | 390°F/200°C; - 11 Mins. |
| Iceland | 28 | Breaded Fish Fingers | 700g / 25g | FAN 390°F/200°C - 12-14 Mins. | 390°F/200°C; - 11 Mins. |
| LIDL | 15 | Omega-3 Fish Fingers | 300g / 20g | FAN 390°F/200°C - 13-17 Mins. | 390°F/200°C; - 11 Mins. |
| Morrisons | 10 | Omega 3 Fish Fingers | 300g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Sainsbury's | 8 | Taste the Difference Chunky Cod Fillet Fish Fingers | 480g / 60g | 390°F/200°C; FAN 355F/180°C - 25 Mins. | 390°F/200°C; - 20 Mins. |
| Sainsbury's | 8 | Taste the Difference Chunky Haddock Fillet Fish Fingers | 480g / 60g | 390°F/200°C; FAN 355F/180°C - 25 Mins. | 390°F/200°C; - 20 Mins. |
| Sainsbury's | 10 | Stamford Street Co. Breaded Cod Fish Fingers | 250g / 25g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 12-14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 13 Mins. |
| Sainsbury's | 10 | Breaded Omega 3 Pollock Fillet Fish Fingers | 300g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Sainsbury's | 30 | Breaded Omega 3 Pollock Fillet Fish Fingers | 900g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Sainsbury's | 10 | Breaded Cod Fillet Fish Fingers | 300g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Sainsbury's | 30 | Cod Fillet Fish Fingers | 900g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Tesco | 10 | Omega 3 Fish Fingers | 300g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Tesco | 30 | Omega 3 Fish Fingers | 900g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Tesco | 10 | Hearty Food Co. Fish Fingers | 250g / 25g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 11-12 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 11 Mins. |
| Tesco | 10 | Cod Fish Fingers | 300g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 12 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 12 Mins. |
| Tesco | 6 | Finest Chunky Breaded Cod Fish Fingers | 400g / 66.6g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 15-18 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 15 Mins. |
| Youngs | 8 | Gastro Signature Breaded Chunky Fish Fingers | 320g / 40g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 16 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 15 Mins. |
| Youngs | 8 | Extra Crispy Batter Fish Fingers | 240g / 30g | 445F/230°C; FAN /210°C - 15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 16 Mins. |
| Youngs | 8 | Gastro Tempura Battered Chunky Fish Fingers | 320g / 40g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 16 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 15 Mins. |
| Youngs | 30 | Omega 3 Fish Fingers | 900g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Youngs | 30 | Cod Fish Fingers | 900g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Youngs | 10 | Cod Fish Fingers | 300g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Youngs | 10 | Haddock Fish Fingers | 300g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Youngs | 10 | Omega 3 Fish Fingers | 300g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Youngs | 60 | Foodservice Cod Fish Fingers MSC | 1500g / 25g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 12 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 12 Mins. |
| Waitrose | 10 | Essentials Waitrose & Partners Cod Fish Fingers | 300g / 30g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 14 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 14 Mins. |
| Waitrose | 6 | Waitrose & Partners Chunky Breaded Cod Fish Fingers | 330g / 55g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 16-18 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 16 Mins. |
| Waitrose | 6 | Waitrose Frozen Crisp & Golden Chunky Battered Haddock Fish Fingers | 300g / 50g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 18-20 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 16 Mins. |
| Waitrose | 6 | Waitrose Frozen Crunchy & Golden Chunky Breaded Haddock Fish Fingers | 330g / 55g | 430°F/220°C; FAN 390°F/200°C - 16-18 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 16 Mins. |
| Waitrose | 10 | Plant-Based Fingers | 300g / 30g | 390°F/200°C; FAN 355F/180°C - 15 Mins. | 400°F/205°C; - 12 Mins. |
Frozen fish fingers will take between 10-12 minutes in an air fryer depending on the size. Standard size Birds Eye fish fingers I have previously air fried for 10 minutes. Chunky fish fingers would take an additional 2 minutes - bringing the full air frying time to 12 minutes for large fish fingers.
Air fry small fish fingers for 10 minutes at 400°F / 205°C until lightly crisp breadcrumbs - and occasional batter - but never air fry long enough for the coating to burn. Air frying breaded fish fingers for too long will spoil the taste of the fish and coating.
Longer the frozen fish fingers cook the likely the fish fingers will fall apart, as both fish and breading softens in the heat.
Be sure to refer to the table above to match my suggested air frying times - and temperature - to the frozen fish fingers in your freezer.
Prepare frozen fish fingers
Preparing fish fingers for air fryer largely relies on preheating the air fryer for 5 minutes, followed by lining the bottom of the basket in parchment paper.
- STEP 1: Preheat air fryer - Preheating the air fryer for 5 minutes will ensure the fish fingers can quickly heat up while avoiding a soggy coating.
- STEP 2: Line air fryer with strip of parchment paper - Line the basket with a length of parchment paper which will be a little longer than the row of fish fingers
- STEP 3: Place fish fingers side-by-side - Organize up to 5 fish fingers on one length of parchment paper, side-by-side. Air fry 10 fish fingers on two separate lengths of lining - they will be easier to manage deep inside an air fryer this way
- STEP 4: Close air fryer basket - Let's close the air fryer basket so we can begin to air fry these frozen fish fingers
NOTE: Make sure frozen fish fingers are evenly spaced to ensure there's no sticking of breaded/battered coating - along with leaving raw spots. Organize fish fingers side-by-side as it will benefit you when it comes to briefly removing each fish finger halfway.
How to air fry frozen fish fingers
Frozen breaded or battered fish fingers are sure to stick to a naked basket, of which greaseproof paper is important to line an air fryer with. Set the temperature up to 400°F/205°C, with the fish fingers ready in 10-12 minutes.
- STEP 1: Set temp to 400°F / 205°C; time to 10 mins. - With the air fryer nice and hot, add the fish fingers and air fry for 5 minutes straight
- STEP 2: Halfway pull fish fingers out of basket while sat on lining - Remove basket and lean to one side; drag fish fingers onto a plate or chopping board while remaining on the parchment paper for ease of use
- STEP 3: Gently turn over each fish finger on counter - Attempt to turn each fish fingers over with any one breaking a possibility; don't worry if they do but be warned exposed fish can dry out
- STEP 4: Return to basket; continue to air fry - Return the used parchment paper back into the basket with the fish fingers positioned in a row
NOTE: Hardest part about air frying breaded/battered fish fingers - as it is with oven cooking - is that the coating can peel off, and the fish can break apart. Do be extra careful when turning over each fish finger halfway through air frying.
Fish fingers handled with care
I once air fried fish fingers and chips which I found to be quite difficult when air frying two food items together.
Unfortunately, this led to the fish finger breading to split open and thus exposing the Pollock, which did lead to a little dryness. Because the fish fingers were balanced on top of the chips - this also caused some fish fingers to break apart.
Why I mention that is because air frying as many as 5-10 fish fingers with no addition food item, should be easy enough.
Ensure all fish fingers remain on top of the parchment paper throughout the cooking time; while also pulling out all the fish fingers to flip over.
It will be possible to flip all fish fingers over while remaining inside the basket halfway through air frying; only the lack of surface area can make it difficult - which can cause fish finger coating to split - and fish fingers made in any fish to be exposed to the elements.
Handle each fish finger with care while hopefully air frying them all with no breakage of any kind.
Summary
Wherever you buy your fish fingers from, you can be assured they will cook in an air fryer to a crispy texture, just as they're intended to.Set the temperature to 400°F/205°C for most store-bought frozen fish fingers, with the time set to 10-12 minutes for all standard, small fish fingers.
Fish fingers that are sold as chunky will need an additional two minutes, with a full air frying time of 12 minutes, possibly 14 minutes.
Keep an eye on the fish fingers by pulling out the basket every minute or so, to ensure the coating doesn't burn, and thus avoid burning the breading or batter. Burning the coating will cause a change in the taste and texture.
Priorities air frying all fish fingers on a length of a parchment paper to ensure the coating won't stick; breading and coating will stick to a naked basket so its vitally important you line it with parchment paper only - not foil which will stick to the fish fingers.
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