The Kid-Friendly Dinner that Needs to Be on Your Table

Sometimes, it can take a bit of convincing to get your kids to try new meals. But that shouldn't be a reason to resort to frozen dinners (especially since cooking is healthier and cheaper than buying prepared foods)! Inspired by fish sticks, we're upgrading the kid-friendly classic into a dish that everyone will love: breadcrumb-coated fish with an herb dipping sauce. To make this meal slightly healthier, we're baking fish instead of frying it. Serve this dinner with a light salad or some roasted vegetables and enjoy!

Panko-Crusted Fish Sticks with Herb Dipping Sauce

To make fish sticks, cut tilapia fillets in half lengthwise down center line. Halve again lengthwise, then crosswise.

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1 large egg, lightly beaten
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 cups panko
1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds tilapia fillets, cut into wide strips (see note, above)
1/2 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving
2 teaspoons prepared white horseradish

Related: Fast, One-Pot Meal Ideas To Feed the Whole Family

1. Preheat oven to 475, with racks in top and bottom third. Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil; set aside.

2. Place egg in a wide shallow bowl; season with salt and pepper. In another bowl, combine panko, Old Bay, and oil. Dip tilapia into egg, shaking off excess, then into panko mixture, pressing to adhere. Place on prepared baking sheets.

3. Bake until lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes, rotating sheets from top to bottom halfway through. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, parsley, mustard, lemon juice, and horseradish; season with salt and pepper. Serve fish sticks with sauce and lemon wedges on the side.

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