Ranking 10 Frozen Fish Stick Brands From Least To Most Tasty
Frozen fish sticks might be the ultimate comfort food, especially when you’re craving something crispy, golden, and simple.
But not all brands deliver the same crunch or flavor punch – some leave you wanting more, while others become your go-to freezer staple.
Whether you dip, dunk, or enjoy straight off the tray, knowing which fish sticks stand out for taste and texture can save you from a soggy snack disappointment and elevate your quick meal game.
1. Gorton’s Classic Fish Stick
Disappointment comes in a yellow box with these underwhelming offerings from the fish stick giant.
The breading-to-fish ratio is seriously out of whack, leaving you with mostly fried coating and precious little actual seafood.
What fish exists inside has a mushy texture that reminds me more of reconstituted fish paste than actual fillets. Even drowning these in tartar sauce can’t mask their processed flavor and cardboard-like exterior.
2. 365 Whole Foods Breaded Fish Sticks
Natural and organic? Yes. Tasty? Not quite. Whole Foods’ house brand fish sticks suffer from an identity crisis – trying to be healthy while still appealing to the fish stick crowd.
The breading falls off at the slightest touch, creating a mess on your plate before you even take a bite.
While the fish inside is indeed real Alaska pollock, it lacks seasoning entirely. The bland taste makes you wonder if salt was considered too unhealthy to include.
3. Ian’s Fish Sticks
Allergy-friendly doesn’t have to mean flavor-free, but Ian’s didn’t get that memo. Created for kids with food sensitivities, these gluten-free, wheat-free sticks deserve credit for filling an important market gap.
The rice-based coating has a peculiar sweetness that clashes with the fish inside. Texture-wise, they’re oddly chewy rather than crisp.
Parents of children with allergies might appreciate the safety factor, but everyone else will find these sticks a strange culinary experience at best.
4. Trader Joe’s Battered Fish Nuggets
Shaped like nuggets instead of traditional sticks, TJ’s entry tries to stand out from the crowd. The beer batter coating promises pub-style goodness but delivers a greasy aftermath instead.
Biting into these reveals decent quality fish that’s unfortunately overwhelmed by the heavy batter.
They cook up unevenly – parts remain soggy while others verge on burnt. Still, the actual fish portion earns points for being identifiable chunks rather than mystery mush.
5. Van de Kamp’s Crunchy Breaded Fish Sticks
Nostalgia in a box! Van de Kamp’s has been feeding families since your grandparents were kids, and they’ve barely changed their recipe.
The extra crunchy coating delivers on its promise with a satisfying crackle. Unfortunately, the fish inside hasn’t evolved much either – it’s thin and sometimes fishy in the wrong way.
These sticks cook up consistently and have a pleasant enough flavor when doused with lemon or sauce. Middle-of-the-road fish sticks that won’t offend but won’t impress either.
6. Steve’s Family Foods Salmon Nuggets
Breaking the white fish monopoly, Steve’s Family Foods offers something truly different with their salmon nuggets. The distinctive pink interior provides a welcome flavor upgrade from the usual bland pollock.
The seasoned panko coating has hints of lemon and dill that complement the salmon nicely.
Where they lose points is texture – the salmon can be slightly dry if overcooked by even a minute. A worthy contender for health-conscious families looking to sneak more omega-3s into dinner time.
7. Pacific Seafood Starfish Panko Breaded Fish Sticks
Shaped like adorable starfish, these whimsical sticks bring fun to the dinner table. Kids love them, but adults will appreciate that the cute shape doesn’t come at the expense of quality.
Made with wild-caught cod rather than cheaper alternatives, the difference in flavor is immediately noticeable.
The panko breading stays remarkably crisp, even when baked. The only drawback? The thinner points of the starfish shape tend to overcook while the center remains perfect.
8. Trader Joe’s Breaded Fish Sticks
Not to be confused with their battered nuggets, TJ’s traditional breaded sticks are surprisingly excellent. The company’s commitment to no artificial ingredients shines through in the clean, genuine fish flavor.
Each stick contains substantial pieces of Alaskan pollock that flakes beautifully.
The breading achieves the golden-brown perfection that fish stick dreams are made of. Plus, they manage to avoid the excessive greasiness that plagues many competitors.
9. KidFresh Fish Sticks
Sneaky vegetables hidden in fish sticks? KidFresh pulls off this parenting miracle without sacrificing flavor. Their coating contains finely ground carrots and onions that add subtle sweetness and nutrition.
The whole-grain breading achieves remarkable crispiness in both microwave and oven.
Inside, the Alaskan pollock remains moist and flavorful. Picky eaters demolish these without detecting the vegetable infiltration – the ultimate parental victory!
10. Trident Seafoods The Ultimate Fish Stick
Crowning our list is Trident’s aptly named Ultimate Fish Stick – the gold standard against which all others should be measured.
Made with whole fillets of wild Alaska pollock cut lengthwise, these aren’t reconstituted fish paste pretending to be seafood.
The panko breadcrumb coating achieves the perfect crunch-to-tenderness ratio. You can actually see the flaky layers of real fish when you bite in!
These premium sticks taste remarkably fresh with a clean finish that doesn’t leave that processed aftertaste. Worth every penny of their slightly higher price tag.