What to Serve with Fish Sticks? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Fish sticks. They’re not just for kids or rushed dinners anymore. We’re elevating this freezer staple to star-of-the-show status with some knockout side dishes.

Believe it or not, these crunchy little wonders have the power to spark dinner table joy. Picking the right side can turn the humble fish stick into a meal you’re actually excited about.

We’ve been there. Staring into the freezer, wondering if fish sticks again can be something we look forward to. Spoiler: They absolutely can.

With our list of 10 BEST side dishes, we promise, no meal will feel mundane. From crispy to creamy, tangy to sweet, we’ve got you covered. Your taste adventure begins now.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Fish Sticks?

Fish stick, like any other quick and easy dish, requires a side dish to make it more satisfying.

Most people prefer eating fish sticks as a starter or a snack rather than a main dish, but in this article, we’ll look at some creative side dish ideas that will change your mind.

The best thing about fish sticks is that they are a favorite, regardless of age.

Hence, it’s a good idea to serve this as a main dish when you have a large gathering.

However, since fish sticks have a subtle taste profile, having solid flavors in the side dishes is an excellent addition to the meal.

This will help make your fish sticks into a hearty, fulfilling, and delicious meal for you and your guests.

What to Serve with Fish Sticks? 10 BEST Side Dishes

1. Classic Guacamole

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You can pair so many dips with fish sticks, but the classic ones are always the best.

A classic guacamole side dish with the freshest onions and tomatoes will make for a great meal if you like avocados.

You can customize the side dish to have as many or fewer vegetables as you like, with seasonings like cumin powder and salt for that extra kick.

You’ll find that avocados, onions, tomatoes, and coriander are always in a guac mixture.

2. Fresh Salsa

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If you’re making this dish when avocados are out of season, don’t worry, you can always go for a salsa.

Make it as spicy as you want by measuring the amount of chili going into your mixture.

Salsa has never been one to disappoint guests, so you can play it safe and go for a dish that everyone will appreciate.

If you like the combination of savory and sweet, try pairing it with honey mustard sauce instead.

You get a good kick of flavors from the richness of the honey and the mustard that balances the sweetness perfectly.

3. Creamy and rich Mac and Cheese

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If you like pasta and cheese, you are probably a fan of mac and cheese.

What’s great about this side dish is that it’s familiar and wholesome, and everyone loves it.

Its gooey ooey, cheesy texture pairs well with the crunchiness of the fish stick and allows your mouth to experience a whole lot of flavors.

Not only does it taste good, but it’s also super filling, so you know none of your guests are leaving hungry.

Get creative with your sides and use unconventional dishes that go well with the main dish but with the element of surprise.

4. Deep Fried crunchy Green Tomatoes

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Impress your guests with a batch of crunchy, deep-fried green tomatoes.

Emphasize the green because they are much easier to handle than ripe tomatoes.

The crunchiness of the batter and the crumbs against the soft insides of the fish stick is the most excellent combination you can ask for.

The appeal comes from the way you cook this dish.

When you toss it around in bread crumbs and deep fry it, the outside becomes golden and crispy while the inside is soft and chewy.

5. Fresh and Crunchy Coleslaw

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Coleslaw is a go-to for many people for a lot of dishes.

Many enjoy this versatile dish because you can customize it according to personal preferences, and it still states excellent.

The go-to condiment that makes the perfect Coleslaw is adding a bit of brewed vinegar to the mix.

This balances out the richness of the mayonnaise and makes the dish more palatable.

Acting like a palate cleanser, it also helps give the dish the kick it needs when downing your deep-fried fish stick.

A quick pro tip is that Coleslaw always tastes better when it’s cold.

So if you’re serving piping hot fish sticks, the cold Coleslaw can neutralize the heat and make the meal more enjoyable.

6. Refreshing Cucumber Salad

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When you have fried food items, there’s nothing more refreshing than something crunchy and cool.

This is precisely what a cucumber salad provides.

The crisp and crunchy texture of a cucumber salad removes all the oiliness the fish sticks leave behind.

The contrast between the two is what makes this dish so great.

Adding a few slices of red onions, cucumber, and tomato to the mix is best to give it a full flavor profile.

Throw in a splash of vinaigrette or swap it with ranch dressing, and you have a refreshing side dish to accompany your fish sticks.

7. Homemade Tartar Sauce

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Since tartar sauce is meant to be tangy and sweet, it provides an excellent balance to the crunchy and rich flavor of the fish sticks.

The first bite into the tartar sauce with the fish stick will be a sharp burst of flavors that might overwhelm your taste buds for a few seconds, but it all makes sense when you combine the flavors of both dishes into one whole.

The good thing is that you can easily make the sauce and keep it in the refrigerator for use at a later time.

It’s also much better to have a sauce made from home rather than the store-bought ones because they taste better and fresher.

8. Cauliflower Rice with Cheese

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Cauliflower is a good alternative if you’re not a fan of pasta or are cutting out carbs from your diet.

Many people use cauliflower as an alternative to rice.

It has a similar texture but even more benefits and is very versatile.

Pair this with your favorite cheese; you will have a healthier version of macaroni and cheese.

Add extra vegetables if you want, or keep it simple and enjoy the taste of cheese and cauliflower as one.

You can also use as much or as few vegetables and ingredients as you want in your dish.

Or swap some of the vegetables for strips of bacon or eggs with your fish sticks.

9. Tangy Lemon Rice

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Since fish sticks aren’t the most filling food item, you may require something as heavy as rice as a side dish accompanying the fish sticks.

This zesty and citrusy rice gives an excellent balance to the greasy fish sticks and allows you to enjoy the meal even more.

For a healthier alternative, swap the rice for quinoa and enjoy the blast of texture and taste in your mouth while also benefiting from the protein.

It’s also a relatively simple dish, requiring just a few minutes of cooking the rice and tossing it in lemon juice.

10. Roasted Garlic infused Radish

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This dish can be both impressive for your guests and tastes good.

The only critical point to remember is infusing garlic aroma and taste while roasting the radishes.

This will ensure that the dish gets the maximum garlic flavor as required.

The good thing about this side dish is that you can customize it however you want, depending on what kind of vegetables are available.

You can also choose to add vegetables that you like.

You can take it further and add a dip to the meal, like mayonnaise or ranch.

Now every time you take a bite of your fish stick and follow that with the creamy dip, the flavor burst in your mouth will surely blow you away.

Conclusion

Fish sticks are easy to make and enjoyed by many, so it is not hard to come up with side dishes that complement this dish well.

The dish traditionally has a savory and greasy taste due to the deep frying process.

But you can always add side dishes like fresh salads and dips to reduce greasiness.

The flavors complement each other very well.

This is the perfect, healthy, and fulfilling dish to eat with friends and family.

So instead of just serving plain fish sticks, consider serving it with some of these innovative side dishes next time.