Tyler Smith’s Homemade Fish Sticks

Total Time:Prep: 25 min. Cook: 5 min./batch
Tyler Smith

By Tyler Smith

Recipe by Tyler Smith, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Tested by Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Published on Jul. 15, 2025

Skip the old-school frozen meal and go with these elevated fish sticks. The fish is coated in a beer batter and deep-fried, then served with a kicking Buffalo tartar sauce. —Tyler Smith, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Watch How to Make Tyler Smith’s Homemade Fish Sticks

Tyler Smith’s Homemade Fish Sticks

Yield:4 servings
Prep:25 min
Cook:5 min

Ingredients

  • fish sticks:
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 bottle (12 ounces) cold beer
    • 2 cups cornstarch
    • 1-1/2 pounds firm whitefish fillets (mahi mahi, swordfish, cod, pollack), cut into 1 ounce strips
    • Oil for deep-fat frying
  • buffalo tartar sauce:
    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 1/3 cup Buffalo wing sauce
    • 1/3 cup chopped dill pickles
    • 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes or 1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
    • 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
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Directions

  1. In a shallow bowl, combine first 6 ingredients. Whisk beer into dry ingredients just until smooth. Refrigerate 15 minutes or up to 1 hour before frying.
  2. In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 350°. Place cornstarch into a shallow dish. Dip fillets in cornstarch, turning to coat; shake off excess. Dip into batter; allow excess batter to drip off. Fry fillets, a few at a time, until golden brown and fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, 1-2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels.
  3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine all sauce ingredients; cover and refrigerate until serving.
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