A staple of school lunches, freezers, and even sandwiches for some, fish fingers are one of the go-to convenience meals in the UK with an estimated 1.5 million eaten each day, according to leading brand Birds Eye.
Known for their bright orange crumb and flakey white fillet, fish fingers were first made in the UK in 1955 by Birds Eye in its factory in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and sold with the sales line “no smell, no fuss”. Their association as a choice for low-effort and quick satisfaction continues, as they generally take 15 minutes to cook in the oven. More recently, the fish inside has diversified to pollock, haddock, and hake to reduce the strain on cod fishing.
Their price is another enticing aspect with a pack of 10 cod fish fingers costing as little as £1.99, whereas a pack of two fresh fillets will roughly cost £8.
But what are the best fish fingers to buy? I compared seven cod fish fingers, from budget own brand to Bird’s Eye’s ones – here’s what came up on top.
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The best supermarket fish fingers for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Aldi the fishmonger breaded cod fish fingers: £1.99, Aldi.co.uk
- Best value – Sainsbury's breaded cod fillet fish fingers: £2.25, Sainsburys.co.uk
- Best crumb – M&S 6 breaded jumbo cod fish fingers frozen: £6, Ocado.com
- Best fish – Waitrose 6 frozen breaded cod fingers: £4.5, Waitrose.com
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Aldi the fishmonger breaded cod fish fingers
Rating: 5/5
Best: supermarket fish fingers overall
Why we love it
- Very tasty overall
- Great value for money
- Large amount of cod in each
It was Aldi’s cod fish fingers that won me over as the best supermarket fish fingers I tasted. They’re nothing fancy, and don’t be put off by the pretty bright orange crumb out of the packet, as you can expect a very tasty bite.
The cod is juicy and well seasoned by the crumb, which is crisp and has the right level of thickness. Plus, for £1.99 for 10, it’s a steal and they hold their own against more expensive options – perfect for kids’ lunches or your own fish finger sandwich.
Key specifications
Buy now £1.99, Aldi.co.uk
Sainsbury's breaded cod fillet fish fingers
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: value supermarket fish fingers
Why we love it
- Cod percentage is substantial
- Taste high quality
Take note
- Crumb could have been crispier
From the exterior, Sainsbury's cod fillet fish fingers look very similar to Asda’s and Tesco’s (£1.99, Tesco.com), but taking a bite, they set themselves apart.
While the fish content is the same in all three, the cod is slightly chunkier and more high quality tasting than its counterparts. The breadcrumbs are decent with enough crisp to give the fish finger a nice bite, while they also offer good value for money at £2.25 for 10.
Key specifications
Buy now £2.25, Sainsburys.co.uk
M&S 6 breaded jumbo cod fish fingers frozen
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: premium supermarket fish fingers
Why we love it
- Satisfying size
- Tasty crumb
- Fish is flakey and juicy
Take note
- Expensive
With the enticingly chunky size and rustic crust, these M&S fish fingers seem a bit more special than others.
They had the tastiest crumb in my test with a lovely flavour, albeit a little less crisp than others. The fish inside was flakey and juicy, but didn’t have as much flavour as others. These are also one of the priciest supermarket own-brand options I tested.
Key specifications
Buy now £6, Ocado.com
Waitrose 6 frozen breaded cod fingers
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: tasting cod in supermarket fish fingers
Why we love it
- Great tasting fish
- Decent size
Take note
- Crumb wasn't as good as others
- Expensive
Although Waitrose’s fish fingers have less fish content than some others in the list, the cod was the tastiest I tried. The fingers are bigger than the standard ones with a thick piece of flakey cod inside the batter, which is very flavoursome and succulent.
The crumb meanwhile is good, if a little stodgy, and gives it a satisfying mouthfeel. Like M&S’s fish fingers, the coating comes away easily.
Key specifications
Buy now £4.5, Waitrose.com
Asda 10 flaky cod fish fingers
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: everyday supermarket fish fingers
Why we love it
- Fish is juicy
- High fish content
Take note
- Fish is not the most flavoursome
- Only option on this list to not have the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification label
These fish fingers from Asda really surprised me, despite their slightly off-putting very orange exterior. They aren’t trying to do anything too refined – instead they’ve got the basics down. The crumb is crisp, while inside the cod is succulent. I found the fish less flavoursome than Sainsbury’s, but all in all these were up there.
You should note, these are the only fish fingers in my list that do not have the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification label, or anything to indicate the supermarket’s own sustainable sourcing practices.
Key specifications
Buy now £3.33, Asda.com
Tesco finest 6 chunky cod fillets fish fingers
Rating: 4/5
Best: chunky supermarket fish fingers
Why we love it
- Chunky fish
- Cod is tender and flakey
Take note
- Slightly watery if you cook them for the least cooking time
- Less fish content than others
If you feel hard done by the size of standard fish fingers, these chunky ones from Tesco’s finest range will feel more satisfying. In my test I preferred the equally large M&S and Waitrose fish fingers, but Tesco’s offer better value for money so are well worth mentioning.
They actually have less fish than those from Sainsbury's and Asda, so I would have liked a finer crumb, but nonetheless the cod is tender and flakey. I would recommend cooking them for slightly extra than recommended, as after 15 minutes, they were slightly watery.
Key specifications
Buy now £4.75, Tesco.com
Birds Eye 10 breaded cod fish fingers
Rating: 3.5/5
Best: branded supermarket fish fingers
Why we love it
- Has a classic taste
- Light texture
Take note
- Expensive
- Cod wasn't very flavoursome
- Lower cod content than others tested
From the company credited for bringing the fish finger to the UK, I tested Birds Eye’s cod fish fingers. The crumb came out as one the crispiest in my test, which made the whole thing light in texture.
I was slightly disappointed by amount of fish in the recipe, especially considering they’re the priciest I tested. I also found myself wanting more flavour, as I couldn’t really taste it. The overall feel, though, was nostalgic.
Key specifications
Buy now £4.95, Tesco.com
What are the best supermarket fish fingers?
Aldi’s cod fish fingers take the top spot for delivering the best overall bite, combining juicy, well-seasoned fish and a perfectly crisp crumb at an unbeatable £1.99. Waitrose’s chunky cod fingers win on pure cod flavour, serving up the tastiest, most succulent fish in the test. Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s cod fillet fingers earned high praise and offer excellent value, while M&S delivered a delicious crumb.
How I tested supermarket fish fingers
I spent a few weeks plating up fish fingers from across a range of supermarkets, assessing them on the following factors:
Are fish fingers healthy?
Hazel Shore, a SCOPE certified dietitian at Phlo Clinic, comments: “Fish fingers can form part of a healthy, balanced diet. They typically contain fish like cod and pollock, which provide a lot of important nutrients that support heart health and brain function, whilst also being a source of protein.
“However, ready-made fish fingers can be high in saturated fat and sodium, as they’re usually breaded and fried. Try to look for products that contain a higher percentage of fish rather than coating.
“If you have the time, making them yourself with fresh fish and breadcrumbs is an easy way to avoid saturated fats, though shop-bought fish fingers can still form part of a healthy diet. Accompany them with either fresh, frozen or tinned peas, and homemade or frozen chips ideally with the skins on, to form a balanced meal.”
How long does it take to cook fish fingers in an air fryer?
While instructions will vary depending on the size of the fish fingers, on a 200C setting it should take around 8 minutes for them to cook.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alice Reynolds is a writer at IndyBest, and has previously tested a range of supermarket food and drink, including the best Greek yoghurt, best supermarket pizza and best supermarket dark chocolate, so she knows how to spot a good supermarket buy.
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