Creating homemade fish fingers is a wonderful way to ensure your children are eating healthy, delicious food without the added preservatives and unknown ingredients found in many store-bought versions. These fish fingers are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfect for a family meal. Let’s dive into this simple and kid-friendly recipe!

Ingredients:

• 500g white fish fillets*
• 100g plain flour
• 2 large eggs
• 100g panko breadcrumbs
• 25g chia seeds
• 25g sesame seeds
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking spray or a small amount of vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Preparation:
   • Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas mark 6).
   • Line a baking tray with parchment paper and lightly grease it with cooking spray or vegetable oil.
2. Fish Preparation:
   • Rinse the fish fillets and pat them dry with paper towels.
   • Cut the fillets into strips, about 2.5cm wide, making sure they are roughly the same size for even cooking.
3. Breading Setup:
   • Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls.
   • In the first bowl, add the flour and season with salt and pepper.
   • In the second bowl, beat the eggs.
   • In the third bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, chia seeds, sesame seeds, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Breading Process:
   • Dip each fish strip into the flour, ensuring it’s fully coated. Shake off any excess.
   • Next, dip the flour-coated fish into the beaten eggs.
   • Finally, roll the fish in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs, chia seeds, and sesame seeds stick well.
5. Baking:
   • Place the breaded fish fingers on the prepared baking tray, making sure they are not touching each other.
   • Lightly spray the tops of the fish fingers with cooking spray or brush with a small amount of vegetable oil.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Flip the fish fingers halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
6. Serving:
   • Serve the homemade fish fingers hot, with your children’s favourite dips such as ketchup, tartar sauce, or a homemade yoghurt dip.
   • Pair with a side of vegetables or a fresh salad to make a balanced meal.

Tips for Success:

• Fish Choice: Opt for fresh, firm white fish fillets. Ensure they are boneless and skinless for ease of preparation and to make them more kid-friendly.
• Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs provide an extra crunch, but you can use regular breadcrumbs if you prefer.
• Seeds: Adding chia and sesame seeds not only enhances the nutritional value but also adds a delightful texture.
• Seasoning: Adjust the seasoning to your child’s taste. You can add a bit of grated parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture for an extra flavour boost.
• Freezing: These fish fingers can be frozen before baking. Place them on a tray in the freezer until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time. *If you have used thawed, frozen fish then you will need to cook and then freeze any surplus fish fingers.

Homemade fish fingers are a delightful and nutritious meal that kids love. They are simple to make and much healthier than store-bought options, giving you peace of mind knowing exactly what your children are eating. Enjoy making and sharing these tasty fish fingers with your family!

See also Homemade Chicken Breast Nuggets with a Crunchy Twist, a great child friendly meal.