Homemade Hake Sticks Recipe: Crispy Spanish Fish Bites 2026

Homemade hake sticks are a wonderfully simple and fun way to get everyone at the table excited about eating fish, whether you're cooking for little ones or a crowd of grown-ups. Tender white fish is blended with milk-soaked bread, shaped into neat rectangles, and coated in a crisp golden crust.

Serve them with fries and a fresh salad and you have a complete, satisfying meal that comes together in just half an hour. The mild flavor of hake makes these sticks a hit even with picky eaters.

This version keeps things classic, but the mixture is easy to adapt with spices or herbs if you want to change up the flavor. Either way, you end up with a batch of crunchy, homemade fish sticks that beat anything from the freezer aisle.

Ingredients for Homemade Hake Sticks

This makes 4 servings, or about 12 sticks.

• 2 slices of white sandwich bread
• 75 ml milk
• 300 g hake fillets, skinless and boneless
• Salt
• Ground white pepper
• 50 g wheat flour
• 1 egg
• 75 g breadcrumbs
• Olive oil for frying

How to Make Homemade Hake Sticks Step by Step

1. Soak the Bread in Milk

Start by cutting the crusts off the 2 slices of sandwich bread, tear them into small pieces, and submerge them in the 75 ml of milk. Let the bread soak completely so it absorbs all the milk.

2. Blend the Hake

Next, place the 300 g of hake fillets, free of bones and skin, in a blender or food processor. Cut the fish into even pieces first, then blend until you have a smooth paste.

3. Add the Soaked Bread, Salt and Pepper

Add the milk-soaked bread, a pinch of salt and a touch of ground white pepper. Blend everything again until the mixture is uniform.

4. Chill the Mixture

Spread the mixture out in a dish and smooth the top so it sits level. Place it in the fridge for at least 1 hour so it firms up.

5. Shape and Coat the Sticks

When the resting time is almost up, set out three plates: one with the 50 g of wheat flour, one with the beaten egg, and one with the 75 g of breadcrumbs. Take the chilled mixture out of the fridge and cut it into 12 rectangular portions. Pass each portion first through the flour, then the beaten egg, and finally the breadcrumbs.

6. Rest the Coated Sticks

Let the coated sticks rest in the fridge for 15 minutes so they firm up and become easier to fry.

7. Fry the Hake Sticks

Fry the hake sticks in plenty of olive oil that is hot but not smoking, so they cook through on the inside and turn golden and crisp on the outside. Fry them in small batches for 2 minutes per side, which keeps the oil temperature from dropping.

8. Drain on Paper Towels

Once fried, lift them out and place them on paper towels to remove the excess oil.

9. Serve Right Away

Serve the homemade hake sticks with a side of your choice. In our case, fries, a fresh salad and tartar sauce.

Tips for the Best Homemade Hake Sticks

Choose the Right Fish

These fish sticks can be made with fresh or frozen hake, thawed in the fridge a few hours beforehand, or even with other white fish such as cod, monkfish or whiting, which are equally low in fat and perfect for this kind of dish.

Customize the Flavor

Homemade hake sticks can also be personalized with spices to taste, such as garlic powder, onion powder or paprika, for a more intense flavor, or with fresh herbs like dill or parsley, which add freshness and aroma to the mixture. For a creamier texture, you can stir a little cream cheese into the mix. In our recipe we went with the classic version, though it can be adapted with these suggestions.

Try Baking or Air Frying

To cook them, you can go with traditional frying, or you can also bake them or cook them in the air fryer for a lighter option. If you choose the oven or air fryer, preheat to 200 °C (about 400 °F), spray the sticks with a little oil, and cook them for 12 to 15 minutes, turning them halfway through. Without a doubt, these homemade hake sticks will be an option that brings plenty of joy to the table, both for their flavor and how easy they are to prepare.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent craving hits, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and comforting sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Some mornings I want an easy breakfast or a lighter plate, so I'll whip up these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I bounce between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever I want to serve something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, my recommendations are this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime I'm in the mood for street food or party-style plates, I'll usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work great as a laid-back appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting guests with drinks and a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of testing and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the best dishes are built on simplicity, dependable techniques, and big flavor.

Every recipe in this collection is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something elegant yet effortless. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When something fresh and simple is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook often, since they save time while still delivering great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely satisfying without gluten.

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