Today’s recipe is my healthy take on fish and chips: Crispy cod goujons, made with frozen cod loin fillets, served alongside a lemon and mint dip recipe shared, wilted spinach, and mashed potato.
I love cooking with my kids. It’s a great way to spend family time together, as well as being the perfect opportunity to introduce a wider variety of foods into their diets. I find that involving them in the cooking makes them much more open to trying new flavours and dishes; it’s hard to resist tasting your own creation!
Fish is a really healthy food choice for kids. It’s high in protein, the best dietary source of vitamin D, and rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for growth and development. So it makes sense to try and include it in family meals on a regular basis.
Not everyone enjoys cooking with fresh fish though; fiddly bones to remove, unwanted smells and expense can stop us taking advantage of the obvious health benefits. I recommend picking up frozen, boneless fish - it’s ready to cook with no preparation, and because it’s frozen you avoid smells in the fridge. It’s also great value for money and easy to use only what you need, making it perfect for small kids’ portions.
I’ve been working on some fun fish recipes that you can get the kids involved with cooking. They’re perfect for family mealtimes; easy, quick and tasty, as well as fun to make together and packed with nutritious ingredients.
My homemade fish fingers are guaranteed to become a real family favourite. Here's how to make them. And don't forget to get the kids involved - this is a fun, messy job.
Ingredients
- 2 frozen cod fillets
- 150 g (5.3 oz) breadcrumbs
- 100 g (3.5 oz) cornmeal or plain flour
- 2 medium free range eggs beaten
- pinch salt and black pepper
- pinch mild chilli powder
Equipment
Instructions
Defrost the cod - this will take an hour or two. Then slice into fingers.
Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan / 400F). Mix a pinch of pepper, salt and chilli powder into the cornmeal. Dip a fish piece into the cornmeal to lightly cover. Shake off the excess, then dip into the egg, then into the breadcrumbs.
Repeat with every piece of fish, placing them on an oiled baking tray as you go.
Bake for 12-14 minutes until just golden. You can break one of your homemade fish fingers open to make sure the fish is cooked through.
Ta da! A simple, delicious, healthy fish finger dinner, made in a jiffy.
Enjoy!
Have you tried making homemade fish fingers before? Will you give this recipe a go?
Print this recipe for later
And here's that homemade fish fingers recipe in a quick printable format so you can have it to hand while you try it out.
Crispy Homemade Fish Goujons Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 frozen cod fillets
- 150 g (5.3 oz) breadcrumbs
- 100 g (3.5 oz) cornmeal or plain flour
- 2 medium free range eggs beaten
- pinch salt and black pepper
- pinch mild chilli powder
Instructions
- Defrost the cod - this will take an hour or two. Then slice into fingers.
- Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan / 400F). Mix a pinch of pepper, salt and chilli powder into the cornmeal. Dip a fish piece into the cornmeal to lightly cover. Shake off the excess, then dip into the egg, then into the breadcrumbs.
- Repeat with every piece of fish, placing them on an oiled baking try as you go.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes until just golden. You can break one open to make sure the fish is cooked through.
Video
Nutrition
Pin for later
More great fish recipes to try
Have you got my book?
'This is a great kids cookery book. Emily is a star' - Simon Rimmer
'The book I'd like to force into any mother's kitchen' - Prue Leith
"A fab book with a plan." - Jane Devonshire, 2016 Masterchef UK winner
'Emily has managed to combine her mummy knowledge and passion for food to make a truly helpful and brilliant cookbook' - Priya Tew, RD, BSc (Hons), Msc
Get Your Kids to Eat Anything is an achievable 'how to' for parents in the battle to overcome picky eating and 'make new the norm'. Emily Leary's unique 5-phase programme looks at the issue of 'fussy eating' in a holistic way that links imagination with food, and which situates parents alongside - not in opposition to - their children.
.
plasterers bristol says
Yummy. Never thought aout making my own fush fingers, looks good. Thanks.
Simon
Jo says
These look so easy to make - even my youngest would like them and she is very fussy. Need to get my hands on some of that mashed potato too!
Natalie Ray says
What a great idea to make your own fish fingers. I actually don't eat fish because I'm veggie but my children love fish fingers and I think fish is really good from them but definitely better to have fish fingers that you've made yourself and you know what's in them. I might get my husband to try this with our girls.
Jane Taylor says
Our kids love fish fingers and helping me make tea. I look forward to having a go.