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Fish sticks may have a reputation for being a classic kids’ dinner, but the grocery store staple is much more than we give it credit for. The breaded crust and tender fish make for an excellent meal when it’s dressed up with more than just ketchup or tartar sauce. To elevate your fish sticks with a bolder taste, coat them in hot honey.
The sweet, spicy condiment is the answer to practically any dish in need of a more dynamic flavor. The honey balances out the savory notes of fish, while the choice of pepper can deliver everything from an earthy finish to a fruit-forward spin. Adding a drizzle of hot honey is the easiest way to upgrade store-bought fish sticks, and there is an abundance of flavors to choose from to better tailor the fish sticks to your preferences or the overall meal. While jalapeño-infused honey gives the dish an herbaceous bite perfect for fish stick tacos, habanero hot honey delivers a brightness that pairs well with cilantro rice.
Whatever kind of hot honey you choose, make sure to add it towards the end of preparing your fish sticks. Allow them to develop a crispy exterior first, to prevent the honey from turning the breaded crust soggy. While they’re hot, you can drizzle the honey on top and serve right away, or pop them back in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes for a caramelized crust.
Spice up your fish sticks and hot honey with these tasty ideas
Fish sticks are the secret to easy weeknight tacos, and the process is even easier with a condiment that transforms the flavor of the store-bought product. Hot honey infused with smoky chili peppers gives fish sticks a taste that better complements the rest of your taco ingredients. After heating the fish sticks and coating them in hot honey, add them to your tortillas, along with shredded lettuce, sour cream, Monterey Jack or cotija cheese, and diced tomatoes and onions.
If you don’t have the time to make marinated salmon bites from scratch, coat some fish sticks in Sauce Up’s Chili Crisp Hot Honey, instead. The sweet and spicy blend is amplified with garlic, seaweed, and mushroom powder, giving the honey chili crisp an umami kick. Cut the fish sticks into bite-sized pieces and cook them until they’re golden brown before dipping them in the honey chili crisp and heating them a few minutes longer. The sweet, savory, and fiery fish sticks can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a simple side of steamed rice and vegetable stir fry.
