Frying Whole Fish In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, offering a healthier and easier way to cook whole fish with a delicious golden crust. The circulating air cooks the outside of the fish, creating a crispy brown coating while keeping the inside soft and flaky moist flesh.

There are many types of fish that can be cooked in an air fryer, including red snapper, sea bass, tilapia, branzino, salmon, and trout. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the fish, but generally, it takes around 10 to 25 minutes to cook whole fish in an air fryer.

To prepare the fish, simply season it with salt, pepper, and other desired spices, and place it in the air fryer basket. Some recipes also recommend scoring the fish by cutting slits in the side, as well as using parchment paper for easier lifting.

Air fryer whole fish is a fun, tasty, and affordable way to enjoy a healthy meal with crispy skin and flaky, moist flesh.

How to prepare the fish for frying

Preparing a whole fish for air frying is simple, but it does require a few steps to ensure the best results. Here is a guide on how to prepare your fish for frying:

Firstly, select a fresh whole fish that fits your air fryer. Look for clear eyes, dark red or purple gills, and firm flesh. Common choices for air frying include branzino, red snapper, sea bass, tilapia, and trout.

Next, clean and scale the fish. You can ask your fishmonger to do this for you, or you can use a knife to remove the scales at home. Rinse the fish and pat it dry with paper towels.

Now, you can choose to trim the fins and score the fish. Use kitchen scissors to remove the dorsal and pectoral fins, and discard them. Scoring the fish involves making diagonal cuts in the skin, about 3-4 cm apart on each side of the fish. Be careful not to cut too deep into the cavity.

The next step is seasoning. You can simply season the fish with salt and pepper, or get creative with herbs and spices. Common choices include garlic, lemon, thyme, rosemary, dill, and red chili flakes. Don't forget to season the inside of the cavity as well. You can also stuff the cavity with ingredients like garlic cloves, thyme leaves, and lemon slices for added flavour.

Before placing the fish in the air fryer, brush or rub oil over it. This will help ensure a crispy skin. You can use a high-heat oil like canola or vegetable oil.

Finally, place the fish in the air fryer basket. You can line the basket with parchment paper to make it easier to lift the fish out later.

Your fish is now ready for air frying! Follow your air fryer recipe for cooking instructions, and enjoy your delicious, healthy meal.

How long to cook the fish for

The cooking time for a whole fish in an air fryer will depend on the size and thickness of the fish. A general rule of thumb is to cook the fish for 10 to 12 minutes per inch of thickness. However, different recipes suggest different cooking times.

One recipe recommends cooking a 1-pound fish at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part reaches at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This recipe also suggests that for crispier skin, the fish can be cooked for a longer time, around 16 minutes.

Another recipe suggests cooking a whole fish at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes, checking halfway through to see if the fish needs to be flipped.

A third recipe recommends cooking a whole fish at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, flipping the fish halfway through the cooking process.

A fourth recipe suggests cooking a whole fish at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes, or about 10 to 12 minutes per inch of thickness, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the fish, and it is always important to ensure that the internal temperature of the fish reaches a safe level for consumption.

What temperature to cook the fish at

The cooking temperature for whole fish in an air fryer will depend on the type of fish and your desired level of crispiness. For a crispy finish, air fry at 400°F for 14 to 16 minutes. For a slightly less crispy finish, air fry at 375°F for 15 minutes, or at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes.

If you are cooking frozen fish, first remove any packaging and rinse under cool water to remove ice crystals. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes, then brush the fish with olive oil and air fry for 5 minutes. After this, flip the fish and continue cooking for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

Regardless of the temperature and timing, it is important to preheat the air fryer before cooking the fish. This will ensure that the fish cooks evenly and at a steady rate. To check if the fish is cooked, use a meat thermometer—the internal temperature should reach 145°F.

What to serve with the fish

There are many options to serve with air-fried whole fish. Here are some ideas:

Sides

Air fryer whole fish is great to serve with all of your favourite vegetable, potato, and salad sides. Some specific suggestions include:

• Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes
• Air Fryer French Fries
• Southern Potato Salad
• Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables
• Roasted asparagus (maybe even wrapped in bacon)
• Rice

Main Courses

If you are looking for a main course to serve with your air-fried whole fish, you could try:

• Spanish paella
• Air fryer crab legs
• Crispy air fryer fish
• Jamaican Fried Chicken
• Cajun Air Fried Salmon
• Spicy Air Fryer Peanuts
• Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
• Air Fried Curried Chickpeas
• Air Fryer Onion Rings

Other

If you are looking for something a little different, you could try:

• Air fryer seafood medley
• Oven-baked rainbow trout fillets
• Baked shrimp with garlic and parmesan
• Air fryer breaded shrimp
• Baked blackened tilapia

How to get crispy skin

To get crispy skin on your air-fried whole fish, there are a few steps you can follow. Firstly, ensure you pat the fish dry before seasoning it. This will help to remove any excess moisture, preventing the fish from steaming and becoming mushy. You can also score the fish by cutting diagonal lines or slits in the skin before seasoning. This technique is recommended for thicker fish, but can be skipped for thinner ones.

After seasoning the fish with your chosen herbs and spices, you can cook it in the air fryer at a temperature between 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your fish, but it generally takes around 14-25 minutes for the fish to cook through and achieve a crispy skin. For a crispier texture, you can cook the fish for a longer duration, around 16 minutes.

Additionally, using a high-heat oil like canola or vegetable oil can help achieve crispier skin. You can also use parchment paper to line the air fryer basket, making it easier to lift the fish out without breaking the skin.

Frequently asked questions