Breaded seafood from the freezer aisle is a dinner staple in many households—not because it’s the healthiest option, but because it’s convenient. It’s quick to prepare, requires minimal effort, and usually earns a thumbs-up from the kids. The crunchy coating, paired with the ability to dunk it in sauces like tartar or ketchup, adds to its universal appeal.
In my family growing up, popcorn shrimp was our go-to seafood dinner. My sisters and I would happily devour it on Monday nights before heading off to dance class. I’m also fairly certain this is where my lifelong obsession with cocktail sauce began!
Growing up, fried fish wasn’t much of a fixture in my diet. Occasionally, my mom would stop by Long John Silver’s for a few pieces of pollock or cod, generously soaked in vinegar—a polarizing choice in our household. But frozen fish or fish sticks were a rarity on our dinner table.
So, when it came to this fish stick taste test, I approached it with fresh eyes. I rounded up six different brands from my local supermarkets and decided to go all in by cooking them in my air fryer. It seemed like the best option to ensure a perfectly crispy result.
For my assessment, I set a few simple but important standards. Even with my limited fish stick experience, I knew each one should feature real-looking white fish—usually pollock—and have a batter or breading that’s crisp and flavorful without overshadowing the fish itself. That’s it. Straightforward, right?
With those criteria in mind, let’s dive into the results. Here’s how these fish sticks ranked, from least to most impressive.
Seize the Bay Fish Sticks
Per Serving (8 Fish Sticks):
- Calories: 290
- Fat: 12 g (Saturated Fat: 2 g)
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Carbs: 31 g (Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 3 g)
- Protein: 13 g
If you’re planning a neighborhood fish fry, Seize the Bay might catch your attention. The brand’s fish sticks come in a massive four-pound bag, containing approximately 128 pieces—enough to feed a small army (or a whale). Despite my search for a more manageable size, this was the only option available, leaving me well-stocked on fish sticks for the foreseeable future. The cost? A budget-friendly $7.99.
What’s Inside:
Each stick is breaded and filled with a minced mixture of pollock, sole, cod, haddock, and whiting. (For those unfamiliar, whiting is a mild, light member of the cod family that’s more affordable.)
The Look:
These sticks are light in weight and surprisingly small—so skinny that I questioned how much fish could actually be inside. The breading began to crack down the middle as they crisped in the air fryer, a telltale sign they might be dry.
The Taste:
Unfortunately, my concerns were spot-on. From the first bite, it was hard to distinguish the breading from the fish. Both were the same muted brown color and shared a mushy texture, reminiscent of fish paste or whipped fish. The seafood flavor was almost nonexistent, with the aroma being stronger than the actual taste. The breading didn’t help matters either—it added no crunch, salt, or flavor of value.
The Verdict:
While I won’t waste these by tossing them out, the remainder of my four-pound bag will likely be gifted to a less discerning (and more forgiving) friend.
Gorton's Fish Sticks
Per Serving (5 Fish Sticks):
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g)
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Carbs: 18 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 8 g
The Gorton’s fisherman, clad in his iconic yellow raincoat, is a staple of the frozen seafood aisle, offering everything from butterfly shrimp to fried clams. But one of his classics has always been the humble fish stick.
These sticks are made with minced Alaska pollock, touted as 100% real and wild-caught. I purchased a one-pound bag, containing about 45 sticks, for $7.39—only to discover a forgotten bag already lurking in the depths of my freezer. Oops!
The Look:
The sticks are squared off with inconsistent sizing, resembling fried zucchini sticks at first glance. Some are significantly skinnier than others, leading to uneven cooking. That said, the breading turned a promising golden brown, and the fish inside actually looked white and flaky—a definite improvement over Seize the Bay.
The Taste:
Unfortunately, the appeal stopped there. The fish sticks were rigid, dry, and completely flavorless. Each bite seemed to drag on forever, with nothing enjoyable to break up the monotony. The pollock was nearly invisible amidst the excessive breading, and its minced texture was compact and gummy—far from appetizing.
The Verdict:
Despite its esteemed reputation, this offering from Gorton’s left much to be desired. The fisherman may brave the seas, but his fish sticks failed to make waves in my kitchen.
Findus Wild Alaska Pollock Fish Sticks
Per Serving (5 Fish Sticks):
- Calories: 290
- Fat: 12 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g)
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Carbs: 27 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 20 g
Unlike the more recognizable Gorton’s, Captain Findus wasn’t a name I’d heard before. In fact, I almost overlooked the brand’s small blue box while scouring the seafood section at my local Giant Eagle. Owned by U.K.-based Nomad Foods—one of Europe’s largest frozen food companies, which also owns BirdsEye—Captain Findus offers a range of battered, breaded, and baked fish. Their fish sticks are made with wild Alaska pollock (not minced) and come in a box of 10 for just $2.
The Look:
Wide, rectangular, and everything you’d expect from a classic fish stick. Unlike the others I’ve tried, these actually prioritize fish over breading, and the interior isn’t minced. The fish is white and resembles an actual fillet, which is refreshing compared to the mashed-together textures of some competitors.
The Taste:
While the appearance was promising, the texture fell short. The fish was more squishy than flaky, and some areas even appeared slightly raw. I also encountered gray spots in the flesh, which was off-putting and left me wondering if I’d gotten a bad batch. The breading, though thinner than most, had a pleasant flavor, albeit less crunchy. On a positive note, these sticks boast a simplified ingredient list—just seven ingredients (excluding the bread crumb breakdown).
The Verdict:
Captain Findus earns points for using whole fillets and a minimal ingredient list, but the texture issues and gray spots made this batch less appealing. A decent option, but it didn’t quite deliver on its promising first impression.
Van de Kamp's Fish Sticks
Per Serving (6 Fish Sticks):
- Calories: 230
- Fat: 10 g (Saturated Fat: 1.5 g)
- Sodium: 440 mg
- Carbs: 22 g (Fiber: <1 g, Sugar: <1 g)
- Protein: 10 g
Van de Kamp’s has built its reputation on breaded seafood, specializing in fillets, sticks, and sandwich patties. The company prides itself on sourcing over 95% of its seafood—including haddock, pollock, and flounder—from wild-caught sources, with 99% of that certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
Their fish sticks are made with wild-caught, minced pollock and come in various sizes: 18, 44, or 60 sticks per package, with a Jumbo Fish Sticks option also available. I opted for the original 44-count box, priced at $6.49.
The Look:
Small and unimpressive. These sticks might even be smaller than Seize the Bay’s offering. It’s easy to see why a single serving requires six sticks. They resemble miniature mozzarella sticks with crumbly but crispy-looking breading.
The Taste:
The breading is excellent—crunchy and flavorful, with a mix of wheat flour, soybean oil, salt, yeast, cornstarch, garlic, onion powder, and paprika. It delivers a satisfying crackle with every bite. The fish, however, is where things fall short. There’s simply not enough of it, and what’s there is lackluster. The white meat is tightly pressed, dull, dry, and chewy—an unfortunate trifecta. Perhaps the jumbo-sized sticks would have provided a better balance.
The Verdict:
Van de Kamp’s nails the breading but falters on the fish itself. While the crust adds plenty of flavor and crunch, the meager portion of dry, unremarkable fish makes these sticks a disappointment overall. If you’re a breading enthusiast, these might work, but seafood lovers may want to look elsewhere—or try the jumbo sticks instead.
Trident Seafoods Pubhouse Battered Alaska Cod
Per 2 Fish Sticks:
- Calories: 190
- Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat: 0.5 g)
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Carbs: 19 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 11 g
Trident Seafoods is the largest seafood company in the United States, with products stocked in supermarkets nationwide. During my grocery hunt, however, the only item I could find was the brand’s PubHouse Battered Alaska Cod at my local Target. Perhaps Columbus, Ohio, isn’t exactly a seafood hotspot. These fish sticks are made from whole cod fillets and stand out as the first in this taste test to be battered instead of breaded—a small but impactful difference. A box of seven cost me $6.79, making them almost a dollar per stick.
The Look:
Smooth on the outside and flaky on the inside. Each piece has a triangular shape, unlike the elongated design shown on the packaging. The exterior is polished and batter-coated rather than crumbly like the others, giving it a cleaner appearance. The fillet itself looks fresh, though it’s more cream-colored than white, with visible lines and layers of meat.
The Taste:
A perfectly balanced blend of batter and fish. The fillet was silky and juicy, even after its time in the air fryer, with mild flavors that weren’t overly fishy. While I missed the subtle sweetness cod often has, it wasn’t necessary here. The batter truly stole the show, offering a light crunch and a flavor reminiscent of Ritz crackers. It complemented the fish beautifully without overwhelming it.
The Verdict:
Trident Seafoods delivers an elevated experience with its PubHouse Battered Alaska Cod. The batter’s cracker-like crunch and the fish’s juicy texture create a delicious pairing. While it didn’t quite take the top spot, it was a strong contender and a standout in this taste test.
Orca Bay Foods Gluten-Free Battered Fish Fillets
Per Serving (1 Fillet):
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat: 0.5 g)
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Carbs: 9 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 7 g
While browsing my local Giant Eagle, I stumbled across these Orca Bay fillets. I was surprised to find them, as the brand is better known for its non-breaded fish steaks, like salmon, swordfish, tilapia, and tuna.
These fillets have a stick-like shape, which is why I decided to include them in this taste test. Coated in a gluten-free pub-style batter and made from wild-caught Alaska pollock—a recurring theme for frozen fish sticks—they stood out for their premium feel. A bag of 10 fillets cost $13.49, making them one of the priciest options.
The Look:
These fillets look like something you’d find in a fish-and-chips basket at a pub. The golden exterior encases bright white, flaky pollock. The batter layer strikes the perfect balance—not too thick or thin. Similar to Trident Seafoods' Battered Cod, the batter has a muted crunch, except for one spongy patch on the backside where the fillet rested in the air fryer.
The Taste:
Buttery and tender with a savory aroma that filled my kitchen as these cooked. The pollock was firm yet delicate and lean, and the batter was a standout. It’s puffy, light, and not overly oily, with a subtle garlicky and salty finish. I never would have guessed it was gluten-free. Add a few drops of tangy tartar sauce, and you have near perfection.
The Verdict:
Orca Bay nailed it with these fillets, delivering one of the best gluten-free products I’ve tasted in a while. With its buttery texture, flaky fish, and flavorful batter, this option feels worth the higher price. Orca Bay doesn’t need to fish for compliments—praise will come naturally with this winning recipe.