The best fish sticks are crunchy, moist, and don’t have a fishy aftertaste. Before this taste test, I had not thought about fish sticks for approximately 20 years. Why would I? I’m an adult! Fish sticks are reserved for the elementary school lunchroom. Or so I thought. As I prepared 15 packages of fish sticks, I had more Mythical employees stop and chat with me than with any other product I’ve ever prepared in our work kitchen. Over and over again people said, “Ooo, are those fish sticks? I love fish sticks!” Maybe I had been missing out on something this whole time?
After tasting almost every single frozen fish stick on the market, I can confirm that I have, in fact, been missing something. Fish sticks are good! Well, some fish sticks are good. But don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of all the best store bought fish sticks you should buy.
- Gardein Plant-Based F’sh Fillets
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I’m giving Gardein’s “f’sh” sticks a 7.5/10 because they’re not technically fish sticks, but I have to include them because they taste really good. Honestly, I don’t think a pescatarian would convert after trying these fish sticks. However, I do think these are a great option for vegetarians and fish haters. They crunchy breading is great. The textured protein inside is tender. These will give you an extremely pleasant fish stick-like experience if you pair them with vegan tartar sauce.
Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs
- Pacific Seafood Gluten Free Fish Sticks
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The Pacific Seafood Fish Sticks are absolutely massive. They are Fish with a capital “f.” They’re thick and juicy and feel like real fillets of fish. You could definitely eat these with some lemon and tartar sauce, but these would also be great to use in quick and easy fish tacos. They are already battered, don’t need to be thawed, and would be awesome slathered in tangy slaw and chipotle crema. A fun bonus is that these are gluten free for any celiac frozen fish stick fans out there!
Credit: Ryan Martin / Instacart
- Dr. Praeger’s Lightly Breaded Fish Sticks
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The Dr. Praeger’s Fish Sticks are the perfect size for small child hands. They have the nice, meaty texture and thick breading needed to hold up to a hearty plunge in ketchup. They are lightly seasoned to not overwhelm a picky eater. That being said, these may be the “best for kids” but they aren’t only for kids. The whole family will enjoy the fact that the fish flakes beautifully and that the coating has a strong crunch, making them some of the best fish sticks we tasted in our frozen fish stick taste test.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Instacart
- Ian’s Natural Foods Fish Sticks
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I don’t think I’ve ever had a cornmeal-crusted frozen fish stick before, but after trying these Ian’s Natural Foods Fish Sticks, I’m on board! The cornmeal gave them a unique texture compared to the other fish sticks on the market. It’s almost like the breading is made from a hush puppy. They also had the most pronounced seasoning, featuring hints of salt and garlic. They weren’t overly fish-forward while still maintaining a natural fish flavor. Because of their strong flavor and interesting texture, I think these would absolutely rule if you dipped them in an herby, pickle-y tartar sauce.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Target
- Trident Seafoods The Ultimate Fish Stick
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These are the best version of a classic fish stick. You could get these in the cafeteria of a middle school, but it would be a fancy private middle school. Like, the middle school Will Smith’s kids attended. These give fun nostalgia without giving damp breading and a mouth full of fishy aftertaste. I think both kids and adults could enjoy these Trident Seafoods fish sticks. They call themselves “the ultimate fish stick” and they’re not wrong. These are some of the best fish sticks we tried.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Fremont Wild Caught Breaded Fish Sticks
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“They’re greasy and it feels good.” That’s what Gwynedd Stuart, Sporked managing editor, said after tasting the Fremont Wild Caught Breaded Fish Sticks. These have that crunchy, oily, craveable taste and texture you get from a piece of fried, battered fish at a restaurant. Plus, they’re one of the few frozen fish sticks made from “minced fish” that still have good internal texture rather than being like fish mush.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Instacart
- 365 Breaded Fish Sticks
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The moment I sunk my teeth into the 365 Breaded Fish Sticks, I knew they were the best fish sticks we would try. I genuinely could not believe how much I liked these. They have fish flavor without being fishy. This is key to good fish sticks, and this brand has perfected it. Plus, the fish and the breading don’t separate when you bite into them, making one beautifully homogenous fish stick. These are definitely the best fish sticks we tried and I will absolutely be buying them again.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon
Best Plant Based
Best Quality
Best for Kids
Best with Tartar Sauce
Best Classic
Best Crunchy
Best of the Best
Other Products We Tried:
Van De Kamp, Trader Joe’s, Great Value, Kroger, Good Catch, Gorton’s
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