Fish fingers are so versatile – they are great in a sandwich and make a quick and tasty evening meal when paired with chips and peas. It's believed they were invented in the UK, with Birds Eye launching the first mass-produced frozen versions in 1955.
Like plenty of other food items, fish fingers have been increasing in price. A box of Birds Eye 30 cod fish fingers is currently priced at a whopping £7.50 on the Asda website, with the Asda own brand costing £2.95 for 30.
So, is there any point in spending extra money on fish fingers? Do they all taste the same or is it worth taking the extra leap with brands like Young's and Birds Eye? Liverpool Echo decided to find out.
Asda 10 Omega 3 Fish Fingers
Our taster says: "I absolutely love fish fingers, I'd even go as far to say that a fish finger sandwich is one of my favourite sandwiches (provided its drenched in ketchup or even better, tartar sauce). I've never been particularly fussy in what fish fingers I buy, and often go for the cheapest option possible when in the supermarket.
"I was blown away when I'd read about the price increase for fish fingers, considering I paid £1.10 for a box of 10 of Asda's own brand and I was very impressed. I've no doubt had numerous different brands of fish fingers while growing up, but could never really tell the difference between any of them.
"The first thing I noticed about the fish fingers from Asda was, of course, the price. Ten fish fingers for just over £1 sounded pretty good to me, and I knew the box would last me a while, too.
"I cooked the fish fingers in the oven for 15 minutes and popped them on some buttery bread with ketchup. As suspected, the fish fingers tasted absolutely amazing in the sandwich and no different to any others I've had before.
"The fish fingers were a lovely golden colour and had a really nice crunch to them. They were soft and warm on the inside with lovely flaky fish. I'll 100% be purchasing the Asda own brand fish fingers again because they were absolutely delicious."
Price: £1.10 for 10
Rating: 5/5
Where to buy: Your local Asda store or online
Aldi The Fishmonger Breaded Omega 3 Fish Fingers
Our taster says: "Like many families, fish fingers are a freezer staple in our household, but as with most things in the supermarket I can't quite believe how expensive some packets now are. I'm a pretty careful shopper and take my time checking I'm getting the best value, as often what seems like a good deal can be misleading.
"I'm also usually happy to go for cheaper own brands if it's going to save me money. This week, I tried Aldi's own brand fish fingers for the first time to see how they compared to brands like Birds Eye, which I tend to buy if they're on offer.
"One thing I noticed about the Aldi fish fingers in comparison was the breadcrumbs looked quite orange. They cooked in just over 10 minutes and came out crisp and piping hot.
"Once I tucked into them I found the fish was quite meaty for a fish finger and they held together well – I sometimes find they can fall apart easily once cooked. I have to admit they tasted just like more expensive brands I've tried like Birds Eye, so I'll definitely be switching to this cheaper brand in future."
Price: £1.55
Rating: 4/5
Where to buy: Aldi stores or online
Asda Plant Based 8 Fishless Fingers
Our taster says: "I've been a vegetarian for 13 years and must confess, I can't actually remember what regular fish fingers taste like. As a child, I loved fish finger sandwiches but it's been over a decade since I last had one.
"When I spotted Asda's Plant Based 8 Fishless Fingers in my local store, my interest was piqued. They certainly looked the part, with each finger coated in well-seasoned, golden crumbs.
"The faux fish filling is made with a blend of rice flakes and parsnip, and while I can't definitively say they tasted just like fish, there was definitely a convincing concoction of flavours which stirred up nostalgic reminders of fish finger sandwiches from years gone by.
"They're a little on the pricey side, costing £2 for just eight, but I do think I'll purchase them again. I've struggled to find them on Asda's website, so they may only be available in stores."
Price: £2 for eight
Rating: 4/5
Where to buy: Asda stores
Tesco Hearty Food Co. 10 Fish Fingers
Our taster says: "I'm not a big lover of fish, to be honest, so other than the occasional tuna sandwich I don't eat fish at all. However, fish fingers have a certain nostalgic feel to them so I was happy to give Tesco's Hearty Food Co. version a go.
"Considering how expensive everything seems to have gotten in supermarkets lately, I wasn't expecting to find what I was looking for so cheap. They were tucked away among a wide variety of fish fingers on offer at Tesco too, all with much higher prices, so I was definitely impressed to spot a pack of 10 fish fingers for 80p.
"The packaging is impressive for the price, the cardboard box featuring an easy access tab on the front. I popped the fish fingers in the oven for the recommended 12 minutes and they came out golden and crispy. I was impressed by the sheer amount of flavour in the fish fingers, as well as how soft they were, despite being delightfully crispy.
"I'll certainly be enjoying the rest of the pack at some point – and maybe even picking up another pack in the future."
Price: 80p for 10
Rating: 5/5
Where to buy: Your local Tesco or online here.
