Can you heat fish sticks in the microwave?

Fish fingers are one of those universally beloved appetizers. This is true for both children and adults. This is because they can be combined with any type of food you can think of. When you’re in a pinch, these fish sticks are often the best way to get that quick fix.

This is because they are very comfortable to prepare and cook. Thus, practically anyone can make these fish sticks from scratch. In addition, you also have the option of using store-bought fish sticks. Thus, all you have to do is reheat them and they are ready to eat.

With that said, you may be wondering what is the fastest way to heat up fish fingers?

Can I cook fish sticks in the microwave?  Yes, you can microwave fish sticks, either to cook or just reheat. They will only take 3 minutes to prepare, regardless of the power of your microwave. However, microwaving can affect the texture and crunchiness of the fish sticks.

Be sure to keep reading because we explain the steps you have to follow to cook fish fingers in the microwave. This guide also introduces a couple of things to keep in mind when cooking/handling fish fingers in your kitchen.

Fish Sticks - Overview

Fish sticks, also commonly known as fish sticks, are breaded fish treats. Incredibly tasty and versatile, they never fail to bring a smile to people’s faces. You can accompany them with vegetables, salads, thick cuts of potatoes or anything else you can think of.

They are incredibly easy to make and their main ingredient is a type of white fish.

Although recipes vary, you can use several types of fish to make these snacks. They can be hake, cod, haddock and haddock, among others. The fish is prepared, battered and cooked to perfection.

Listed below are some of the ways to cook fish sticks:

• frying
• Grilled
• baked
• In the microwave

Of course, baking fish sticks in the oven remains the most popular option. However, traditional fish and chips recipes often recommend frying until crisp and flavorful.

That being said, ultimately the choice of cooking method for fish fingers comes down to preference, timing, and convenience. As for the last two, cooking in the microwave is the easiest and fastest thing you can do.

Fish sticks in the microwave: advantages and disadvantages

Although we would all prefer to have crispy fish fingers fresh from the oven, sometimes that is not possible. This is especially true if you want to prepare a meal as quickly as possible.

However, you should also understand that it has its advantages and disadvantages as a cooking method. These advantages and disadvantages are presented in the following table.

Microwave Fish Sticks: Advantages and Disadvantages

Microwaving is a perfectly safe and suitable method of cooking if you approach the process carefully.

It works best if you want to cook a quick meal without having to work too hard. However, as succinctly presented in the table above, it comes with its own set of drawbacks. Keep this in mind when deciding how to cook your fish fingers.

Thaw Frozen Fish Sticks Before Cooking

As any food expert will tell you, cooking food directly from the freezer is usually not advisable. You have to make sure that it is well thawed before you think about cooking it. The same rule applies to fish fingers.

Of course, you have to make sure you do it right. Otherwise, you risk ruining your meal, or worse, putting yourself in danger for not following basic food safety protocols. With that being said, be sure to follow these steps before doing anything else:

• Take the fish sticks out of the freezer.
• Prepare a deep plate filled with cold water.
• Place the fish sticks (still in their airtight container) in the dish and put it in the fridge overnight.

Alternatively, if you’re in a hurry, you can also choose to place them in the microwave and press the “defrost” button.

Regardless of the method you choose, it is important that you do not skip this step. After all, cooking frozen food poses several problems and you will end up with an unevenly cooked dish.

Cooking Fish Sticks in the Microwave

Method 1: Using a 1100-watt microwave oven

Here is a step-by-step explanation of how to cook fish fingers without cooking in a powerful 1100-watt microwave oven.

As a basic food safety rule, you should monitor the internal temperature of the fish sticks. It has to be at least 165°F or higher before you can serve them.

Make sure it is set to HIGH to ensure the best possible results. To microwave fish fingers in your powerful 1100-watt oven, follow these steps to the letter:

1. Prepare a microwave-safe plate and line it with parchment paper.
2. Arrange the fish sticks in a single layer, making sure there is enough space between them. Be careful not to overload the plate. Instead, microwave in batches of 4 to 8 sticks per plate for optimal results.
3. Once ready, place the dish in the microwave and heat for 2 minutes on the HIGH setting.
4. Flip the fish sticks over and heat for another minute.
5. Remove and let the plate cool. Check if the internal temperature is 165°F before serving.

The last thing you want to do is rush the process when cooking with the microwave. After all, it’s still the fastest way to prepare food, so don’t be neglectful.

If you choose to ignore these steps and decide to heat on full power for a full 3 minutes, you’ll quickly see the difference, as the fish fingers will undoubtedly turn to mush and lose any semblance of integrity.

Method 2: Using an 800-watt microwave oven

The second method presented here uses a somewhat less powerful microwave oven, an 800-watt model to be exact.

Although the general process is similar, there are some slight variations and changes to account for the difference in power of the appliances. That being said, be sure to check the power of your microwave before you start.

Be sure to follow these steps to heat fish sticks in a slightly less powerful microwave:

1. Line a flat microwaveable plate with parchment paper.
2. Arrange the fish fingers on top, making sure they are well spaced to ensure optimal heat distribution. Batches of 4-8 sticks work best.
3. Put the microwave on full power and heat for 1 minute.
4. Take out the plate, turn the fish fingers over and heat for another minute.
5. Flip the sticks once more and microwave for another minute. At this point, the fish fingers will be cooked through. Be sure to check their internal temperature before serving them.

You can also try using a crisping tray in the microwave with either method. This can help you achieve that crunchy fish stick texture that they are known for.

Fish sticks - Tips for proper preservation

As with any other food, proper storage is crucial to ensure the best possible results when it comes to fish fingers.

With that being said, be sure to remember the following tips:

• Keep them in their container - If you are using store-bought fish sticks, remember to keep them in their original container if you plan to freeze or refrigerate them. After all, the packaging effectively seals them and keeps them fresh.
• Label and seal your homemade fish sticks - If you have made fish sticks from scratch, you need to make sure they are placed in a safe, airtight container. Then be sure to date and tag them so you don’t forget them.
• Consider where you are going to store your fish sticks - The longevity of your fish sticks will depend on where you store them. For example, if you plan to cook or reheat them in the next 4 days, then feel free to store them in the fridge. However, if you have no idea when you’re going to cook them, go for the safer option and put them in the freezer, where they can last up to 6 months.

Fish fingers are amazing appetizers that everyone can enjoy. They are incredibly versatile and easy to prepare. With that said, be sure to remember the steps presented in this microwave cooking guide. This way, you can satisfy your cravings whenever they arise.