Air Fryer Seabass: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Sea bass is a versatile fish that can be cooked in many ways, including baking, pan-searing, and air frying. Air frying has gained popularity as a quick and easy way to cook fish, with the added benefit of being healthier than deep frying. Sea bass is a good candidate for air frying as it is a thick, white fish with a delicate flavour and flaky texture. The air fryer cooks it to moist and tender perfection with a crispy skin. It is also a very simple process that requires minimal preparation and only a few basic ingredients.

How to prepare sea bass for the air fryer

Preparing sea bass for the air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Choose Your Sea Bass

Select a whole sea bass or fillets, depending on your preference. If you opt for fillets, aim for uniform thickness to ensure even cooking. If you're cooking multiple fillets, try to use pieces of similar size and thickness.

Step 2: Prepare the Fish

Pat the sea bass dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial for achieving crispy skin. If your fish is frozen, rinse it under cold water to remove any surface frost first, then dry it thoroughly. Check for any remaining bones and remove them if necessary.

Step 3: Season or Marinate

You can season the fish simply with salt and pepper, or create a marinade with various ingredients. For a basic marinade, mix olive oil, parsley, lemon juice, garlic granules, onion granules, black pepper, soy sauce, and paprika. For a different flavor profile, try using butter, garlic, and rosemary, or olive oil with lemon zest. Brush or coat the fish generously with your chosen seasoning or marinade.

Step 4: Air Fryer Setup

Place the fish in the air fryer basket or tray, arranging it in a single layer with space between each piece for proper air circulation. If your air fryer requires preheating, do so now. Additionally, consider spraying the basket with an olive oil spray to prevent sticking, but be cautious as some aerosol sprays can damage certain air fryers.

Step 5: Cooking

Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fish and the power of your air fryer. For fillets, cook at 190°C/390°F for 5-10 minutes. For a whole fish, air fry at 400°F for approximately 15 minutes. Keep a close eye on the fish to prevent overcooking, as it can cook very quickly. The fish is done when the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F (60-65°C).

Step 6: Rest and Serve

After air frying, let the sea bass rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the fish succulent and flavorful. Serve the sea bass immediately for the best texture and flavor. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!

Air fryer temperature and cooking time

The temperature and cooking time for sea bass in an air fryer vary depending on the thickness of the fillets and the type of air fryer you are using. It is recommended to cook sea bass in the air fryer at a temperature between 350°F and 390°F. The cooking time can range from 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and the temperature of the air fryer.

For example, if you are cooking frozen sea bass fillets, it is recommended to cook them at 375ºF (190ºC) for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. For fresh sea bass fillets, a shorter cooking time of 5-10 minutes at 390˚F (190˚C or 190˚C - 200˚C) is recommended. It is important to note that different air fryers cook at different speeds, so it is advisable to adjust the temperature and timing based on your specific air fryer model.

To ensure your sea bass is cooked properly, it is important to monitor it closely as it can overcook very quickly. The best way to check for doneness is to use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the thickest part of the fillet. The sea bass is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 135°F to 145°F (60°C - 63°C).

Additionally, it is recommended to place the fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking. Spraying the air fryer basket with olive oil or butter spray before adding the fillets can help prevent sticking and ensure the skin doesn't stick to the bottom.

How to get crispy skin

To get crispy skin on your sea bass, the first step is to pat the fillets dry with a paper towel. This removes any excess moisture from the fish and is an important step to achieve crispy skin. If your fish is frozen, you should also rinse the fillets under cold water to remove any surface frost. Then, dry the fillets thoroughly.

Next, you can add your chosen seasonings. Some recipes suggest using butter, which adds a subtle flavour to the sea bass and helps in the crisping process. You can melt the butter and brush it onto the fillets, or use a dairy-free alternative. Other recipes suggest using olive oil, which is also suitable for high-temperature cooking. You can then add salt and pepper, and other seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, parsley, rosemary, or lemon zest.

After seasoning, place the fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. This allows for proper air circulation and ensures even cooking. Set the air fryer to 190˚C / 390˚F and let the fish cook for approximately 5-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Keep an eye on the fish to prevent overcooking, and use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be 63˚C / 145˚F when fully cooked.

Side dishes to serve with sea bass

Sea bass is a versatile fish that can be cooked in a variety of ways and paired with numerous side dishes. Here are some ideas for side dishes to serve with sea bass, specifically when cooked in an air fryer:

Potatoes

Potatoes are a classic side dish that can be prepared in various ways, such as mashed potatoes, air fryer smashed potatoes, Parmentier potatoes, or French fries. When making mashed potatoes, you can include ingredients like garlic, butter, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, pepper, and salt. For a healthier option, you can replace the butter with hummus. If you're looking for something lighter, consider serving your sea bass with a potato salad.

Rice

Rice is another great option to pair with sea bass. You can choose from different types of rice, such as basmati rice, fried adobo rice, or brown rice. To make basmati rice more interesting, you can sauté onions and garlic in chicken broth and then add the rice, preventing it from becoming mushy. Fried adobo rice is an excellent way to transform leftover rice into a tasty side dish.

Vegetables

Vegetables are a healthy and colourful addition to your meal. You can steam or roast vegetables like zucchini, red peppers, carrots, broccoli, or cauliflower. If you're looking for something more indulgent, try air fryer honey-roasted carrots. You can also make a vegetable dish with a kick by marinating sliced cucumbers in a tasty mixture and chilling them in the refrigerator. Additionally, you can make a low-carb side by tossing veggies like bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, red onions, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes in olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Salads

Salads offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of sea bass. You can try a zesty quinoa salad with avocado, a Brussels sprout salad with bacon, or a goat cheese salad with arugula. For a Mediterranean flair, opt for a Tabbouleh salad or a Tuscan panzanella salad. If you're looking for something lighter, a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing will also pair well.

Other Options

If you want to explore more unique sides, consider mac and cheese, which is a kid-friendly option that adds a warm and creamy touch to your meal. You can also try something tangy like mango salsa, which pairs well with sea bass and can be made in just 15 minutes. Additionally, grilled asparagus, minted mushy peas, and rosemary bread are all excellent choices to round out your meal.

Storing and reheating sea bass

Sea bass is a good choice for air frying, as it's fairly easy to create a perfectly cooked fish with a crispy exterior and a mouthwateringly soft and flaky inside. It's also a healthy meal choice, as it's gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, vegetarian, low-carb, keto, and paleo.

If you have any leftover sea bass, it is perfectly safe to store the fish fillets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When it's time to serve, you can use the reheat function on the air fryer to warm the fish through, or you can use a microwave. However, you will lose that crispy texture on the outside of the fish if you use a microwave.

There are several ways to reheat leftover fish to ensure it doesn't dry out. One method is to bring the fish to room temperature and stop there. You can do this by turning your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and letting the fish sit on the stovetop as the oven heats up. Another method is to wrap the leftover fish in aluminum foil and place it directly on the oven rack for 15-20 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you want to repurpose your leftovers into a new, hot dish, you can break up the fish and add it to a stew or toss it briefly in a pan. You can also place it on a non-stick sprayed foil and broil it in the oven for around four minutes with a source of moisture or a glaze to protect hydration levels.

Frequently asked questions