Fish fingers are a timeless teatime staple, cherished by generations of Britons. They have become so popular that virtually every major UK supermarket has developed its own version. Reach's Brian Dillon sampled own-brand fish fingers from seven of the biggest UK supermarkets, alongside the well-known Birds Eye variety. He was pleasantly surprised to discover that a 93p pack managed to outshine the big-name brand and pricier alternatives.
Some come with a hefty price tag, costing nearly £5 for just six fish fingers, while shoppers at budget stores can pick up around 10 for under £1. Having visited seven of the UK's leading food retailers, Brian found himself with eight packs of fish fingers to work through. He was eager to determine which truly stood out and, crucially, whether Birds Eye lives up to its renowned fish-finger reputation.
The Taste Test Methodology
Brian assessed the fish fingers on appearance and texture, each worth 5 points, and flavour worth 10 points, giving a maximum score of 20 per product. Here are the results from worst to best.
8. Aldi Everyday Essentials Fish Fingers 10 Pack
Price: £0.80 (10 pack)
Aldi frequently performs well in taste tests, but finished bottom of the pile here. The texture was far too dense and not remotely flaky, leaving a dry sensation in the mouth. The fish flavour lacked richness. Despite being one of the cheapest options, it certainly tasted like it.
Score: Appearance 3.5/5, Texture 3/5, Flavour 6/10, Final 12.5/20
7. Lidl Simply 10 Fish Fingers
Price: £0.80 (10 pack)
Lidl's fish fingers are identically priced to Aldi's and scored only marginally better. The fish flavour was reasonably pleasant but the batter could deliver more flavour, and the exterior lacked crunchiness.
Score: Appearance 3/5, Texture 3/5, Flavour 7/10, Final 13/20
6. Iceland 28 (approx.) Breaded Fish Fingers
Price: £2.50 (28 pack)
Expectations were high for Iceland, known for frozen food. These fish fingers weren't a complete letdown but fell short. The fishy flavour was intense, verging on overpowering. The breadcrumb texture was pleasant, but the batter stretched rather than breaking cleanly apart.
Score: Appearance 3/5, Texture 4/5, Flavour 7/10, Final 14/20
5. Tesco 10 Cod Fish Fingers
Price: £1.99 (10 pack)
Tesco performed admirably, narrowly missing the top four. The breadcrumbs offered wonderful texture and taste, and the knife glided through effortlessly. However, the fish flavour could benefit from tasting fresher.
Score: Appearance 4/5, Texture 4/5, Flavour 7/10, Final 15/20
4. Waitrose Frozen Breaded Cod Fingers
Price: £4.50 (6 pack)
These were the priciest fish fingers, with only six in a box, though they were considerably larger. There was a delightful flavour on first bite, but it faded quickly. The crunch and quality of fish were apparent, but the fish could have had a richer taste.
Score: Appearance 5/5, Texture 3.5/5, Flavour 8/10, Final 16.5/20
3. Birds Eye 14 Breaded Fish Fingers
Price: £4 (14 pack)
The most recognisable brand narrowly missed the top two. The texture was spot-on, and the flavour thoroughly enjoyable, though perhaps a little less fishy. The breadcrumbs made an immediate impression. Given the price, there would be hesitation to repurchase, but they are undeniably tasty.
Score: Appearance 4/5, Texture 5/5, Flavour 8/10, Final 17/20
2. M&S 10 Fish Fingers
Price: £2.50 (10 pack)
M&S delivered brilliantly. The exterior was spot-on, and the fish flavour came through immediately. There was a pleasant aftertaste, extending the enjoyment. Overall, it didn't taste frozen, which was the real triumph.
Score: Appearance 3.5/5, Texture 5/5, Flavour 9/10, Final 17.5/20
1. Sainsbury's 10 Breaded Omega 3 Pollock Fillet Fish Fingers
Price: 93p (10 pack)
Among the most affordable options, Sainsbury's fish fingers demonstrate that you needn't spend a fortune for excellent quality. The breadcrumbs had wonderful flavour, and the fish flavour struck the right level of fishiness. The texture was the finest, with an ideal balance of gentle crunch and smoothness, alongside flaky fish.
Score: Appearance 4/5, Texture 5/5, Flavour 9/10, Final 18/20
