Fish Stick Tacos include crispy breaded fish sticks and creamy homemade coleslaw and salsa, that sit inside charred corn tortillas for a super easy and yummy meal. These easy fish tacos using frozen fish sticks are a weeknight dinner lifesaver!
Prefer shrimp over fish? Try these stuffed with popcorn shrimp instead.
Easy Fish Tacos
Fish tacos using frozen fish sticks? I know, I know. When you have kids who don’t like fish, desperate times call for desperate measures. That’s how these fish stick tacos were born. And guess what? I’ve been making them for years now. We actually love them.
I always liked fish sticks growing up, so I don’t really understand the hatred toward them. It’s just pollock with breading. Full disclaimer: nothing can beat from scratch fish tacos. Obviously. BUT, with charred homemade corn tortillas, a creamy homemade coleslaw, and homemade salsa added, we elevate them slightly. Besides easy, they are crispy, tangy, a little spicy, and just plain yummy. Don’t knock it ’til you try it!
Fish Tacos with Fish Sticks
You only need a few ingredients to make these easy fish tacos, and yep, one of them is frozen fish sticks.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Fish sticks – I make these with frozen breaded fish sticks, but battered fish sticks work too.
- Corn tortillas – Use our homemade corn tortillas recipe or buy the best quality ones you can find.
- Coleslaw – We’re pretty obsessed with this coleslaw recipe, but use your favorite. A cream based one is preferred over a vinegar one.
- Salsa – I always have some of this restaurant-style salsa in the fridge, but store-bought is totally fine. Mild, medium, or hot depending on your tolerance for spicy.
- Recipe Variation – Another delicious option is to smear some remoulade sauce on the tortillas and use a plain, undressed, coleslaw mix.
- Additional toppings – Take the flavors up even further by adding some fresh sliced avocado, red onion, jalapeño, and a spritz of lime juice.
What are the Best Fish Sticks for Fish Tacos?
Cod or tilapia is the best (or most common) fish used for fish tacos, and fish stick tacos are no different. Fish stick brands we’ve tried include Mrs. Paul’s, Van de Kamp’s, SeaPak, and Gorton’s. We have a slight preference toward Gorton’s, though – their fish sticks are made with 100% real, wild-caught fish, have a light breadcrumb texture, with the perfect crunch, and you can actually taste the fish (which to me is a good thing.) But any brand works – breaded or battered. Try a few different ones and see which is your favorite.
Cooking Fish Sticks
You can prepare the fish sticks by either baking them in the oven or in an air fryer if you have one. Get the toppings ready while they cook and dinner is ready in minutes.
Fish Sticks in the Oven. Simply bake the frozen fish sticks according to the package directions.
Fish Sticks in Air Fryer. This is our preference for the best crispy fish sticks. The fish sticks should be in a single layer and not touching, so you might need to air fry in batches. And subsequent batches might cook quicker, since the air fryer will already be heated. Air fry frozen fish sticks (no need to thaw first) at 400 degrees F for a total of 8 minutes, flipping them over halfway through or until the breading is lightly browned and crisp.
More Taco Recipes:
More Easy Fish Recipes:
- Tuna Melt
- Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Air Fryer Salmon (with a delicious Hoisin glaze!)
- Fish Piccata
- Baked Cod Sheet Pan Dinner
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Fish Stick Tacos
Ingredients
- 16 frozen crunchy breaded fish sticks (see note below)
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 cups creamy coleslaw
- 3/4 cup salsa
- Optional toppings: fresh sliced avocado, red onion, jalapeño, and a spritz of lime juice.
Instructions
- Bake fish according to package directions. (Or in an air fryer – see note below.)
- Warm the tortillas over a gas burner until lightly charred (be careful so they don't burn.)
- To assemble, place 2 fish sticks in each tortilla. Spoon some coleslaw and a little salsa on top.
- Add additional toppings, if desired, and enjoy!
What?! Fish sticks are only on Fridays with tater tots! Thats how we did it in our house growing up w/ 8 kids. I hate fish sticks but Husband loves these. I tried and Im telling all the other kids(Adults now)about this recipe. I love it. Only difference is i top w/yum yum sauce & other toppings. Delicious Thank you
Amy-
If you’re “tired, unmotivated and lack energy”, isn’t that when you pour a glass of wine and order take out? ;)
I have bad, bad memories of fish sticks as a child. It was always “babysitter food” at our house. But somehow the babysitters always managed to screw them up. I can barely look, let alone read… sorry. GREG
hehehe, I’m actually a fan of these! I made these before. It’s cheaper and it’s sooo delicious! I console myself that at least i didn’t deep fried them… ;p
Um. I didn’t need any convincing. Made these the next day and the kids loved them! Thanks for the idea!
awesome time saving idea!
I personally don’t care for fish tacos, but love salsa on fish ~ go figure! But this is a FABulous idea, especially for kids!
Great story Jay! Lol. I can totally hear the lady’s voice. I was in desperate need of something like this and made them last week! I used a mango salsa. You could totally change up the flavor by using different salsas.
About ten years ago I was in Houston at a conference and went with a group to a local chain mexican restaurant (Pappasitos). Being so relatively close to the “border” I figured they must have fish tacos. But, when I scanned the menu, these tasty treats were no where to be found. When I ask the waitress if they indeed had fish tacos she responded in a very thick Texan drawl, “Now why would anyone put fish on a taco?” Obviously this particular delicacy is from the Baja California side of the “border.”
Anyway, I love these tasty treats. As Jen mentions above, we had these last night. Very yummy and so easy.
Well, isn’t this timely! Just last night I made tacos with frozen fish sticks! I used your remoulade sauce recipe. SO yummy and SO easy. I love them. I mean come on, who really wants to get out the eggs, the Panko, and all that oil? Not I. No muss. No fuss. Easy Peasy. Delicious!
My biggest concern is whats on the list of ingredients for the “fish” I make fish tacos all the time with frozen tilapia (not breaded) and the only ingredient is, well……fish.
Hmmm… I’m gonna take your word for it that they’re tasty. My wife makes the BEST fish (not-in-stick-form) tacos ever, so we’ll probably stick with those. A+ for originality though.
Would you believe I’ve never had a fishstick? Sad but true. I had a very deprived childhood. Although seeing as how I didn’t like fish as a child….it’s probably my fault. At least in this instance. These look tasty. I’m okay with the fact that the fishsticks come from a box. Strangely enough.
My husband said “hell yeah, I would eat that”. I hadn’t had a fish stick in like 25 yrs until the other night. We really liked these!
YUM. For serious. Yes, I make the beer battered ones, but they take a lot of effort. So I like these too. As long as you make a good tangy mayonnaise yogurt dressing and shake on lots of Tapatio. YUUUUUUM.