Recipe: Baked Fish Fingers and Sweet Potato Wedges
I have fond memories of the super-crunchy fish sticks my mom used to stock our freezer with — especially since that meant dinner could be dipped into ketchup or tartar sauce (always a plus in my book).
Now that I live around the corner from a great grocery store that sells fresh fish, I’ve taken full advantage and bake up fish fingers from scratch instead. Since the oven’s already on, I throw in a tray of sweet potato wedges too, and an easy weeknight dinner is served that makes both adults and kids happy.
Panko, flaky Japanese breadcrumbs, is the secret weapon here that makes an easy coating for the fish — especially since it’s a great dry pantry ingredient to always have around. Instead of the usual egg and flour coating to make the breadcrumbs stick, I like using a flavorful mix of mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and parsley. Mayonnaise keeps grilled fish moist, and it also helps prevent the panko from falling off.
To make this a more complete dinner, sweet potato wedges start roasting in the oven on a hot baking sheet while the fish is cut and breaded. After the first side of the wedges are golden-brown, they’re flipped and the tray of fish is added into the oven. Tasty fish fingers and roasted sweet potato wedges are ready in just another 15 minutes. Add some steamed vegetables or a simple green salad if you want to round out the meal with some greens.
Baked Fish Fingers and Sweet Potato Wedges
Serves 4
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
For the sweet potato wedges:
- 1 1/2 pounds
sweet potatoes, scrubbed
- 2 tablespoons
vegetable or canola oil
- 3/4 teaspoon
kosher salt
For the fish fingers:
Cooking spray or vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup
mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon
Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon
finely chopped fresh parsley
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/4 cups
panko breadcrumbs
- 1 pound
fresh cod or tilapia fillets
Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
For the sweet potato wedges:
Arrange two racks to divide the oven into thirds and heat the oven to 400°F. Place a baking sheet on the bottom rack while the oven is heating.
Cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise. Cut each piece lengthwise into 1/2-inch-wide wedges. (If the wedges are really long, cut them in half.) Place in a large bowl. Drizzle with the oil, sprinkle with the salt, and toss to evenly coat.
Carefully remove the hot baking sheet out of the oven. Add the sweet potatoes and arrange into an even layer. Bake until golden-brown on the bottom, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the fish.
For the fish fingers:
Line a baking sheet with foil and spray the foil with cooking spray or grease with oil.
Mix the mayonnaise, mustard, and parsley together in a small bowl. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Place the panko in a shallow bowl or pie dish. Cut the fish fillets lengthwise into 3/4-inch-wide "fingers" that are about 4 to 5 inches in length. Generously season all sides of the fish with salt and pepper.
Brush the mayonnaise mixture onto all sides of the fish. Dip the fish into the panko on all sides, pressing it in with your fingers and making sure it is completely coated. Place the breaded fish in a single layer on the baking sheet, giving them as much room as possible between pieces.
When the sweet potatoes are golden-brown on the bottom, remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip the wedges over with a flat spatula. Place the sheet back onto the bottom rack and place the baking sheet with the fish on the top rack.
Bake until the fish is no longer opaque and cooked through, and the sweet potato wedges are tender, 12 to 15 minutes more. Serve with lemon wedges, if using.
Recipe Notes
Fish choices: I like to use any kind of mild-flavored white fish here, like cod, tilapia, or even catfish. To help you find the most environmentally sustainable choice, use these seafood guides from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.
Dipping sauce: For a quick take on tartar sauce, just make double of the fish finger coating and add some finely chopped capers or pickles to the extra portion.