Homemade fish sticks with a crunch

These keto-approved homemade fish sticks are so good that they might even be better than what you remember as a kid! A tasty seasoned breading made of parmesan and  Uprising Bread—a gluten-free bread with zero added sugar that’s artisan baked with just two net carbs—this dish offers just the right amount of crunch that is sure to leave your tastebuds begging for more.  

For Fish Sticks

1 to a 1.5-pound firm white fish filet

2 slices Uprising Bread

½  cup fresh grated parmesan 

2 tsp softened butter (unsalted)

2 tsp oregano

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp sweet paprika

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 cup almond flour or lupin flour 

1 whole medium lemon (for zest and juice only)

3 eggs, beaten

For Croutons

2 slices Uprising Bread

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp sweet paprika

2 tsp softened butter (unsalted)

1tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Cut up 2 slices of Uprising Bread into crouton-like cubes. Place in a medium-size bowl, drizzle with unsalted softened butter, garlic powder, and sweet paprika. Place on a foil or rack lined baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Remove croutons from the oven and let cool. Once cooled, toss in a blender or finely chop with your trusty kitchen knife. Set breadcrumbs in a separate bowl.
2. Pat fish filet dry and season with salt, pepper, and oregano on both sides. Cut the filet into pieces, usually about 1 inch thick and 3 inches long, then set aside for use later. 
3. Set up three large bowls in a sort of assembly line. Put the flour in the first bowl and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Beat the eggs in the second bowl. Combine breadcrumbs, freshly grated parmesan, and sweet paprika in the last bowl.
4. Dredge fish sticks in the seasoned flour and shake off the excess until just a light coating remains. Next, you will dip the fish in the egg mixture, coat evenly. Lastly, you dredge the fish stick in the breadcrumb mixtures, turning to ensure all sides are coated well.
5. Once you have the desired coating on your fish stick, spray the inside of the air fryer basket with an oil spray to prevent sticking. Place fish sticks in the basket and bake for 6 minutes.
6. Flip the fish stick pieces over after the 6-minute mark and cook for an additional 6 minutes. Finish your fish sticks with a little lemon zest plus a spritz of fresh lemon juice, and be prepared for some of the tastiest fish sticks you’ve ever tried.

Air Fryer Tip: Always flip your food halfway through the cooking process to ensure all sides remain crisp.

Pro Tip: Skip the pre-grated parmesan cheese, aka the dusty cheese in my house, as the anti-caking agents added to cheese will impede the melting process, and you won't be able to achieve the desired coating.