Our fish stick taco recipe is the perfect recipe for busy people who are craving big, bold, fresh flavors! Crispy fish, creamy avocado, and cilantro lime coleslaw make the perfect taco, and it’s all ready in 10 minutes!
We all have visions of ourselves as a Food Network TV chef everytime we are cooking something for the first time in the kitchen, right?
No? Just me? Well then.
Anyway, I get a thrill out of taking a basic ingredient, in this case fish sticks, and turning it into something delicious.
If you know anything about me at all, you know I love all things tacos. As a result, when I started filming my make-believe Food Network show a couple of weeks ago, my first thought was to make a taco. I had no beef, no chicken, only hot dogs and fish sticks. And I’m sorry, but Food Network would cancel my show immediately if I made a hot dog taco. I’m certain of it.
Being a huge fan of fish tacos, I chose the fish sticks, and the results were very satisfying! My entire family loved these, and they’re now one of my favorite things to make for lunch.
We’ve been making these at least once a week lately for a fun little lunch, and I will never get tired of the crispy breaded fish, the crisp and cool slaw, or the bright avocado crema.
I know many with little kids will just go for the air fryer fish sticks by themselves, but now you can make it more “adult” by turning your fish sticks into these tacos too! When you are tired of the tacos, try the fish sticks in fish finger sandwiches too!
Ingredient List:
Fish sticks – Make sure to buy ones made with 100% real fish.
Coleslaw Mix – We’ll make a quick slaw to top our tacos.
Cilantro – Feel free to skip this if cilantro isn’t high on your “I love it!” list.
Lime Juice – We prefer freshly squeezed, but we’re not above using the bottled stuff.
Olive Oil
Avocado
Sour cream
Cayenne
Tortillas – I love corn, my husband loves flour tortillas. You do you. I do recommend using 4 or 7 inch tortillas though.
Tomatoes
Salt
How to make fish stick tacos:
Cook the fish – Spritz your air fryer basket with olive oil, or brush the oil over the basket if you don’t have a mister. Add your fish sticks to the basket and then spritz again with oil, or brush very lightly if needed. Cook at 400 degrees F for 8 minutes.
If you’re making a big batch of fish sticks, you’ll want to work in batches so that you can keep the fish in a single layer. Please be aware that additional batches will cook a bit faster since the air fryer will be hot when you add the fish sticks in.
Make the avocado crema – While the fish sticks are cooking add avocado to a small bowl and mash it with a fork. Add in sour cream, lime juice, cayenne and salt. Stir well to combine.
Make the cilantro lime slaw – Stir together coleslaw mix, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
Serve – Fill each tortilla with a couple of fish sticks. Top them with the slaw mix, avocado crema, and diced tomatoes.
Looking for Different Fish Taco Toppings?
We love our cilantro lime slaw as a topping for not only fish tacos, but nearly all tacos. However, I understand it isn’t for every one. So here is a list of a few other options you can use for toppings on your fish stick tacos!
- Shredded Cabbage or Lettuce: Adds a satisfying crunch and a subtle peppery flavor that complements the fish.
- Avocado: Creamy avocado slices offer a rich, buttery texture to balance the spice and heat from other toppings.
- Lime Wedges: Good for a bright, tangy pop that enhances the flavors of the fish and other toppings.
- Cilantro: Chopped cilantro provides a fresh, herbaceous note.
- Pico de Gallo: A vibrant salsa with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and sometimes jalapeños, adding a fresh and flavorful kick
- Sliced Jalapeños: For a spicy kick and a bit of crunch.
- Corn Salsa: Adds sweetness and a slightly smoky flavor.
- Sour Cream: Provides a cool, creamy element.
- Cotija Cheese: Crumbled for a salty finish.
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More air fryer seafood recipes you might like:
- Air Fryer Fish Sandwich
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Scallops
- Maple Bourbon Glazed Shrimp
- Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
Fish Stick Tacos
Equipment
Ingredients
For the fish:
- 16 fish sticks
For the cilantro lime slaw:
- 1 ½ cups coleslaw mix
- 1 lime juiced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt more to taste
For the avocado crema:
- 1 avocado ripe
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 lime juiced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
For serving:
- 8 corn or flour tortillas
- Tomatoes diced
Instructions
To make the fish:
- 1. Spritz the air fryer with oil spray.
- 2. Add the fish sticks to the basket in a single layer and spritz lightly with oil. You may need to work in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- 3. Cook at 400 degrees for 8 minutes.
To make the cilantro lime slaw:
- 1. While the fish sticks are cooking, stir together all of the ingredients for the slaw.
To make the avocado crema:
- 1. Add the avocado to a small bowl and mash well with a fork.
- 2. Stir in the sour cream, lime juice, salt, and cayenne.
To serve:
- 1. Add 2 fish sticks to each tortilla.
- 2. Top with slaw, avocado crema, and tomatoes.
Notes
Nutrition
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