Tilapia Fish Sticks

If you haven't discovered Budget Bytes  yet you're seriously missing out. These fish sticks were a hit with the whole family. They were easy to make and the best part is that there are only six ingredients and you can pronounce them all (at least I hope you can pronounce them all), which isn't the case of the ingredient list on a box of frozen fish sticks. 

1 lb. tilapia fillets

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp. cajun seasoning

2-3 eggs, whisked (I ended up needing three)

1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1. Slice each filet length-wise into two or three pieces (depending on width) and then horizontally to yield 4-6 sticks.

2. Prepare the breading station by collecting three bowls. In the first bowl combine the flour and cajun seasoning (or salt, pepper, any other seasonings). In the second bowl add the whisked eggs. In the third bowl place the panko bread crumbs.

3. Bread the tilapia sticks by first coating in seasoned flour then dipping in egg and finally coating in panko crumbs. Place the breaded sticks on a plate until all of the sticks have been breaded.
4. Heat a large skillet with vegetable oil over medium/high heat. When the pan is very hot it is ready for the fish (a drop of water will sizzle furiously when dropped in the skillet) . Place half of the sticks in the pan and cook on each side until golden brown in color. Drain the fish sticks on a plate covered with paper towel.  Cook the second half of the fish sticks the same way. Serve with tartar sauce. 

Sorry, no picture. We were hungry.

Tartar Sauce

1/2 cup mayonaise

1/4 cup plain yogurt

1/4 chopped dill pickle

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1/2 Tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp dill

Mix everything together in a bowl. Cover and chill.

Review - I was kind of shocked at how good these were. I was also shocked that both kids ate them. I usually  have to coerce them to eat fish. I'm pretty sure Josie thought it was chicken, even though I repeatedly told her they were fish sticks. I wasn't totally sold on the tartar sauce recipe. It was good, but it could be better. You can be the judge. The fish sticks were awesome and I'll definitely be making them again.