Air-Fryer Frozen Fish: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can cook frozen fish in an air fryer. It's a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal with minimal cleanup. The air fryer cooks the fish evenly, and you don't need to defrost the fish beforehand. Simply place the frozen fish fillets in the air fryer basket, and cook for around 10-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and your air fryer. You can serve the fish with a variety of sides, such as fries, salads, or grains, or use it to make fish sandwiches or tacos.

How long does it take to cook frozen fish in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen fish in an air fryer! It's a convenient and tasty way to prepare a quick meal. The cooking time will depend on the type of fish you're cooking, the specific model of your air fryer, and your desired level of crispness.

Cooking Time:

On average, it takes around 12 to 20 minutes to cook frozen fish in an air fryer. The precise cooking time will depend on several factors, including the type and thickness of the fish, as well as the model of your air fryer.

For example, thin tilapia fillets may cook faster than thicker cuts of cod or halibut. Additionally, the heating elements and cooking capacities of different air fryer models can vary, which may require slight adjustments to the cooking time.

Preheating:

Preheating your air fryer is crucial for achieving even cooking and a desirable crispy exterior. Preheat your air fryer for about 3 to 5 minutes before adding the fish.

Visual Cues and Temperature:

To ensure your fish is perfectly cooked, look for an opaque and flaky texture. You can also use a digital thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached a safe 140-145°F.

Tips for Optimal Cooking:

• Place the frozen fish fillets in a single layer with enough space between them to allow for proper air circulation.
• Flip the fish fillets halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to achieve the desired crispiness on all sides of the fillets.

Breaded Frozen Fish:

If you're cooking breaded frozen fish fillets, the cooking time may be slightly longer. Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, flipping the fillets halfway through. Ensure that the internal temperature reaches 140-145°F before serving.

Seasonings and Coatings:

You can enhance the flavour of your air-fried fish with various seasonings and coatings. Consider using a mix of herbs, spices, and a light spray of olive oil or cooking spray to promote crispiness and prevent sticking.

Side Dishes:

Pair your air-fried fish with quick and healthy side dishes like air-fried vegetables, salads, roasted Brussels sprouts, or starches like quinoa or brown rice.

Reheating and Storage:

To reheat leftover air-fried fish, use your air fryer to preserve crispiness and flavour. Set the air fryer to 390°F and warm the fish until heated through. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Do you need to defrost the fish first?

The beauty of cooking fish in an air fryer is that you don't need to defrost the fish first. It goes straight from the freezer to the air fryer basket, with just a short stop along the way to get a nice coating of breadcrumbs and seasonings. The fish defrosts and cooks through while the breading crisps up, resulting in perfect fish fillets with minimal effort.

If there is ice or frost on the fillets, you can pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. It is also a good idea to spray the air fryer basket with a little olive oil or avocado oil to prevent the fish from sticking to the basket and drying out.

If you are cooking breaded frozen fish fillets, you may want to spray the basket with an oil cooking spray.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of fish, the thickness of the fillets, and the size of your air fryer basket. It is recommended to cook the fish fillets in a single layer and avoid overcrowding the basket.

For breaded frozen fish fillets, the cooking time is typically around 12-15 minutes at 380-400°F/193-204°C. For unbreaded frozen fish fillets, the cooking time is usually around 15-20 minutes at 370-400°F/190-204°C.

What temperature should the air fryer be?

The ideal temperature for your air fryer will depend on the type of fish you are cooking, the specific model of your air fryer, and whether your fish is breaded or not.

For frozen breaded fish fillets, it is recommended to air fry at 400 °F for 8 minutes on one side, and then 4-7 minutes on the other side until crispy and golden. For unbreaded frozen fish fillets, a higher temperature of 400 °F for 15-20 minutes is recommended.

For a 5.8qt Cosori air fryer, a temperature of 380 °F is recommended for cooking frozen fish fillets for 10 minutes, and then an additional 2-4 minutes after flipping.

If you are cooking fish from fresh, rather than frozen, a lower temperature of 350-400 °F is recommended.

What should you serve with air-fried fish?

There are many side dishes that pair well with air-fried fish. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Salads

• Arugula, goat cheese, and beetroot salad
• Creamy carrot and raisin salad
• Purple cabbage coleslaw
• Grated raw beetroot salad

Vegetables

• Roasted green beans and potatoes
• Air fryer carrots and potatoes
• Air fryer zucchini fries
• Purple mashed potatoes
• Sweet potato fries
• Sweet potato rounds
• Air fryer crispy potato wedges

Pasta and Grains

• Buckwheat groats
• Beetroot pasta
• Fennel risotto
• Millet

Other Sides

• Fries
• Hushpuppies
• Lemon wedges
• Tartar sauce
• Hot sauce
• Remoulade sauce
• Cocktail sauce

How do you stop the fish from sticking to the air fryer?

To prevent fish from sticking to your air fryer, avoid using non-stick cooking spray. Although it may work the first time, cooking sprays tend to damage non-stick surfaces over time. Instead, use parchment paper—but make sure it's the air fryer-safe version, as plain parchment paper will prevent air from circulating and cooking your food properly. You can buy pre-cut air fryer parchment paper online, or make your own by cutting regular parchment paper to the size of your air fryer basket and poking a series of holes in it.

Another way to prevent food from sticking is to prepare your fryer before adding the food. Make sure your air fryer is preheated to the right temperature, and then add your fish. If you're frying in oil, dip your fish in the oil first, allowing it to fully coat the fish, and then gently lower it into the basket.

If you're cooking frozen fish, you don't need to defrost it first. Simply coat the fish with a thin layer of olive oil, add your seasonings or breadcrumbs, and place it straight into the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions