Are you ready to elevate your fish game with a crispy, zesty twist? Meet your new obsession: Fried Lemon Pepper Salmon Sticks with Old Bay Blue Cheese Sauce. This bold and satisfying recipe blends the crispness of golden-fried salmon with the tangy, herbaceous flair of lemon pepper seasoning—and just when you think it can’t get any better, it’s paired with a creamy, crave-worthy dipping sauce laced with Old Bay and blue cheese.

This dish isn’t just delicious—it’s memorable. Perfect as a party appetizer, a fun twist on fish sticks for dinner, or even a standout snack for seafood lovers, these salmon sticks bring the wow factor without much effort.

🎣 A Fresh Take on Classic Fried Fish

Fish sticks have come a long way from their frozen grocery store roots. Today’s home cooks want more flavor, better texture, and creative pairings—and this recipe delivers on all fronts. Using fresh salmon as the base means tender, flaky fish on the inside, and a crackling crust on the outside thanks to a seasoned flour coating and quick fry.

The addition of lemon pepper seasoning makes these salmon sticks pop with citrusy brightness and gentle spice, and that coating clings beautifully to the strips of salmon after a simple egg wash. The end result? Crunchy, tangy, savory perfection.

🧀 Let’s Talk About That Sauce…

Of course, no fried finger food is complete without a dip that dazzles—and this Old Bay Blue Cheese Sauce is the game-changer. Creamy mayonnaise, crumbled blue cheese, and a splash of lemon juice get an unexpected kick from Old Bay seasoning, a spice blend famous on the East Coast for elevating seafood to new heights.

The result is a complex, rich, tangy sauce with a hint of heat and herb that complements the crispy fish like a dream. It’s bold enough to be memorable but mellow enough to keep you coming back for more.

📋 Original Recipe: Fried Lemon Pepper Salmon Sticks with Old Bay Blue Cheese

Here is the recipe, exactly as you provided it:

Ingredients

For the Salmon Sticks:

1 lb (450g) salmon fillets, skinless
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Old Bay Blue Cheese Sauce:

1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Cut the salmon fillets into long, thin strips resembling fish sticks.
In a shallow dish, combine the flour, lemon pepper seasoning, and salt.
Dip each salmon strip into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated.
Roll the egg-coated salmon strip in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat with the remaining salmon strips.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should be about 2 inches deep.
Carefully add the coated salmon strips to the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry for about 3–4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Flip the sticks halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
Once cooked, transfer the fried salmon sticks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
For the Old Bay Blue Cheese Sauce, in a small bowl, combine the crumbled blue cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, and black pepper. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
Serve the Fried Lemon Pepper Salmon Sticks hot with the Old Bay Blue Cheese Sauce on the side for dipping.

🍋 Why Lemon Pepper Works So Well with Salmon

Lemon and seafood are an age-old pairing—and with good reason. Lemon cuts through the natural oils in fish, bringing brightness and balance to every bite. Lemon pepper seasoning amps this up with black pepper and often dried herbs like thyme or basil, giving a citrusy, aromatic flair that enhances salmon’s natural richness.

When used in the flour coating, it infuses every crispy inch of the salmon stick with vibrant flavor. The salt in the seasoning also helps draw out a slight crisp from the crust, locking in the salmon’s juicy interior.

🐟 Tips for Perfect Salmon Sticks

Uniform strips: Cut your salmon into similarly sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
Hot oil, no crowding: Fry in small batches to keep the oil hot and prevent soggy crusts.
Double coat: For extra crunch, try double-dipping—egg, flour, egg, then flour again.
Paper towel drain: Always let your fried sticks rest on a paper towel to absorb excess oil and maintain that perfect crunch.
Serve immediately: Like all fried food, these sticks are best served hot and fresh.

🧂 Sauce Swaps & Add-Ons

Don’t have all the ingredients on hand? Here are a few tips:

No Old Bay? Try Cajun seasoning or a dash of celery salt + paprika.
Blue cheese not your thing? Sub in crumbled feta or a spoonful of Greek yogurt with garlic.
Add chives, green onions, or a splash of hot sauce to the dip for extra complexity.

🥗 What to Serve With Fried Salmon Sticks

These bold bites shine on their own but also pair well with:

Crispy fries or sweet potato wedges
Coleslaw or cabbage salad
Corn on the cob with butter and dill
A refreshing cucumber and dill salad
Iced tea, sparkling lemonade, or even a chilled white wine

❄️ Storage and Reheating

If you somehow manage to have leftovers:

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
To reheat, pop them into a preheated oven or air fryer at 375°F for 8–10 minutes until hot and crispy again. Avoid microwaving, which can make the coating soggy.

💡 Make It a Party Platter

Hosting a get-together? Turn this dish into a star-studded seafood platter:

Include popcorn shrimp, calamari rings, or crab cakes.
Offer a trio of sauces: Old Bay Blue Cheese, tartar sauce, and a sweet chili dip.
Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh herbs for visual flair.

❤️ Final Thoughts

This isn’t just another fish recipe. Fried Lemon Pepper Salmon Sticks with Old Bay Blue Cheese Sauce is the kind of dish that makes people stop mid-bite and go, “Wow.” It’s crispy, bold, flavorful, and fun to eat, combining classic seafood techniques with a modern flavor profile.

Whether you’re serving it as a weeknight dinner or a wow-worthy appetizer at your next party, one thing is certain: you won’t be bringing any leftovers home.

So go ahead. Try this recipe, serve it hot, dip it deep, and bask in the compliments that will surely follow. 😍