Air fryers are a convenient and healthy way to cook fish. They can be used to cook a variety of fish, including tilapia, cod, halibut, haddock, sea bass, and salmon. The air fryer's ability to cook fish perfectly is due to its circulation of hot air around the food, ensuring even cooking without the need for flipping. This method results in tender, flaky, and flavorful fish with a crispy exterior.
Preparing fish in an air fryer is a simple process. It involves patting the fish fillets dry, seasoning them, and then placing them in the air fryer basket in a single layer to avoid overcrowding. The cooking time varies depending on the type of fish and the desired level of doneness, but on average, it takes around 7-12 minutes for the fish to cook through.
In addition to its convenience and health benefits, cooking fish in an air fryer offers several advantages. It is a quick process, taking less than 15 minutes in most cases, and it requires minimal cleanup. The air fryer's ability to cook fish without drying it out makes it a popular choice for those who want to enjoy tasty and nutritious seafood meals at home.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Fish | Tilapia, Cod, Haddock, Pollock, Halibut, Flounder, Whiting, Walleye, Catfish, Trout, Red Snapper |
Seasoning | Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Oregano, Brown Sugar, Salt, Lemon Pepper, Black Pepper, Chili Powder, Onion Powder, Cajun Seasoning, Greek Seasoning, Italian Seasoning, BBQ Spices, Curry Powder |
Temperature | 400°F (200°C) or 360°F (182°C) |
Cook Time | 7-12 minutes |
What You'll Learn
Air fryer tilapia with lemon butter sauce
Yes, you can grill fish in an air fryer! In fact, air-fried fish is a quick, easy, and delicious dinner idea. Here is a recipe for air fryer tilapia with lemon butter sauce:
Ingredients:
- 4 tilapia fillets (6-8 ounces each)
- Paper towels for patting dry
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of half a lemon
Method:
- Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. This step ensures a better sear and helps the seasoning adhere to the fish.
- Prepare the seasoning by combining the garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a bowl. Mix well.
- Season the fish by sprinkling the seasoning mixture over both sides of the tilapia fillets. Gently rub the spices onto the fish, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Add the tilapia fillets to the air fryer basket and spray the top with cooking spray. Air fry for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- While the fish is cooking, prepare the lemon butter sauce by whisking together the melted butter, garlic, parsley, and lemon juice in a small bowl.
- Once the tilapia is cooked, remove it from the air fryer basket and pour the lemon butter sauce over the fish.
- Garnish with additional chopped parsley, if desired.
Enjoy your air fryer tilapia with steamed vegetables or rice on the side!
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Air fryer white fish with garlic and lemon pepper
Yes, you can grill fish in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for Air Fryer White Fish with Garlic and Lemon Pepper:
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 g) tilapia fillets, or other white fish (2 fillets-6 ounces each)
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) onion powder (optional)
- Kosher salt or sea salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley
- Olive oil spray
- Lemon wedges
Instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F for 5 minutes.
- Rinse and pat dry the fish fillets. Spray or coat with olive oil spray and season with garlic powder, lemon pepper, and/or onion powder, salt, and pepper. Repeat for both sides.
- Lay an air fryer silicone liner or perforated parchment paper inside the base of the air fryer. Lightly spray the liner. (If not using a liner, spray enough oil spray at the base of the air fryer basket to make sure the fish does not stick).
- Lay the fish on top of the liner. Add a few lemon wedges next to the fish.
- Air fry at 360°F/182°C for about 6-12 minutes, or until the fish can be flaked with a fork. Timing will depend on the thickness of the fillets, how cold the fillets are, and individual preference.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve warm with the toasted lemon wedges. Add additional seasonings or salt and pepper, if needed.
Tips:
- If you are using frozen fish, add an additional 5-8 minutes to the cooking time.
- If you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce the timing by a few minutes.
- You can use any white fish for this recipe, such as cod, halibut, haddock, sea bass, or sole. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of the fish.
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Blackened tilapia
Air-fried blackened tilapia is a delicious and healthy meal that can be prepared in just a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide to making mouthwatering blackened tilapia in an air fryer:
Ingredients:
- Tilapia fillets (4 fillets of 6 ounces each)
- Olive oil spray or any cooking oil spray
- Spices for the blackening seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt to taste
Method:
- Start by preparing the blackening seasoning. In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, brown sugar, oregano, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt until well combined.
- Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. This step ensures that the fish is not soggy and helps the seasoning adhere better.
- Rub the spices onto the fish, making sure to coat both sides evenly.
- Spray or brush the seasoned fillets with olive oil. This will help the spices stick to the fish and give it a crispy texture.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Place the fillets into the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them to ensure even cooking.
- Set the timer for 4 minutes. There is no need to flip the fillets halfway.
- After 4 minutes, spray the fillets again and air fry for another 4 minutes.
- Your blackened tilapia is now ready! Plate the fish and serve it with your favorite sides.
Tips:
- You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your preference if you want it spicier or milder.
- If you don't want to make your own blackening seasoning, you can buy a ready-made one from the store.
- This blackened rub works great on other varieties of fish as well, such as red snapper, catfish, or trout.
- For a complete meal, serve the blackened tilapia with sides like a black bean and corn salad, cucumber and onions, grilled potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Enjoy your delicious and healthy air-fried blackened tilapia!
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Air fryer fish tacos
Air fryers are a great way to cook fish, and you can definitely use them to make delicious fish tacos. Here is a recipe for Air Fryer Fish Tacos with a Cilantro Lime Slaw that serves as a tasty and healthy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lb tilapia or white fish (mahi-mahi, cod, etc.)
- Olive oil
- Spices: 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne (adjustable), 1/4 tsp onion powder, and ½ tsp cracked pepper
- Slaw: 2½ cups cole slaw mix, 1/3 cup chopped cilantro, 1 clove of garlic (minced), 1/2 tsp sugar (optional), 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp cracked pepper, and extra lime juice
- Tortillas
Method:
- Mix the spices, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Pat the fish dry and lay it in the air fryer basket. Brush with olive oil and generously cover with the spice rub, gently pressing it into the fish. Spritz the top with oil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook the fish for about 8-10 minutes, or until it is opaque and flakes easily. The internal temperature should be 145°F.
- While the fish cooks, prepare the cilantro lime slaw by tossing the ingredients together. Adjust the salt and lime juice to taste.
- When the fish is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and cut it into small pieces.
- Assemble the tacos by adding the fish and slaw to tortillas. Add an extra squeeze of lime, if desired.
Tips:
- If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the fish at 400°F for about 15 minutes.
- Thicker fish will take longer to cook.
- Don't turn or flip the fish in the air fryer, as it may fall apart.
- For a smokier flavor, swap regular paprika with smoked paprika.
- Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
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Air fryer fish cooking times
Air-frying is a great way to cook fish, and it's super quick! You can use any kind of fish fillets, from cod to tilapia, salmon to catfish. The cooking time will depend on the type and thickness of the fish, but also the temperature of your air fryer.
As a general rule, you should cook your fish fillets for 12-15 minutes at 390°F (200°C). You may want to flip the fillets halfway through to ensure an even cook. If you like your fish a little more well-done, you can always add a couple more minutes to the cooking time.
For example, if you're cooking tilapia fillets, you'll want to cook them for 8 minutes at 400°F (200°C). But if you're cooking thicker fillets, like halibut or cod, you'll need to add a few minutes to that cooking time.
It's important to remember that every air fryer is different, so you might need to adjust the cooking time to suit your machine. A good way to check if your fish is cooked is to use a fork to gently flake the flesh—if it flakes easily, it's ready to eat.
Happy air-frying!
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Frequently asked questions
You can grill any firm, mild white fish in an air fryer. Some options include tilapia, cod, halibut, haddock, sea bass, and catfish.
It typically takes around 7-12 minutes to grill fish in an air fryer, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
Yes, you can use both fresh and frozen fish in an air fryer. If using frozen fish, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
You can use a variety of seasonings for air-fried fish, such as garlic powder, paprika, lemon pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or Cajun seasoning. You can also make a lemon butter sauce to go with the fish.