Air Fryer Frozen Cod: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can cook frozen cod in an air fryer. It's a quick and easy way to cook cod without having to defrost it first. Simply season the cod, then cook it in the air fryer for around 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The cod is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and is white and flaky throughout.

No need to defrost

Yes, you can cook frozen cod in an air fryer without defrosting it first. It is 100% safe to cook frozen cod directly from the freezer, as long as the fish reaches a high enough internal temperature to avoid the "danger zone" where bacteria grow most rapidly.

Tips for Cooking Frozen Cod in an Air Fryer

• Don't use thick cuts of cod. Stick to fillets that are around six ounces and under one inch in thickness to avoid the risk of uneven cooking.
• There's no need to rinse frozen cod before cooking, as this may leave the fish waterlogged.
• Use a flavorful sauce, seasoning, or even breading to ensure your frozen cod doesn't lack flavor.
• Cook the cod to an internal temperature of 145°F. The fish will be ready when it is opaque white, flakes easily with a fork, and has a crispy golden-brown exterior.
• To prevent the cod from sticking to the air fryer basket, use cooking spray oil, parchment paper, or silicone liners.

Air Fryer Frozen Cod Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 frozen cod fillets (around six ounces each)
• Cooking spray oil (olive oil or avocado oil)
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: dried herbs (oregano, thyme, Italian seasoning, parsley), lemon juice, or other seasonings of your choice.

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F for 3-5 minutes.
• Remove the cod from any packaging and place it on a plate. Drizzle with olive oil or avocado oil and rub it into all surfaces of the fish.
• Season the cod with salt and pepper, and sprinkle dried herbs or other seasonings of your choice over the top and bottom of the fillets.
• Place the cod in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes at 380°F, then flip and cook for another 6-8 minutes, or until the cod reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
• Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if desired.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

• You can easily cook more than one cod fillet at a time, just make sure there is a little room between them for the air to circulate.
• If your frozen cod is wrapped in plastic, remove all the plastic before seasoning and cooking.
• Frozen cod can dry out in the air fryer, so be sure to serve it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sauce.
• This recipe can be customized with different seasonings and spices, such as smoked paprika, chili powder, or curry powder.
• Serve your air fryer frozen cod with healthy vegetable sides, potato side dishes, rice, quinoa, or couscous.

Use a sauce or breading

While cooking frozen cod in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a tasty, healthy meal on the table, you don't want to skimp on flavour.

One way to add flavour to your cod is to use a sauce. For example, you could try drizzling a lemon and butter emulsion over the top of the cod fillets by adding lemon slices and pats of butter to the baking pan. Alternatively, you could serve the cooked cod with a fruit salsa.

You can also add flavour to your cod by using a breading. Simply brush oil onto the cod fillets and then sprinkle on seasoned breadcrumbs. You can also par-cook the cod fillets for about five minutes and then crust them with your preferred breading mixture before finishing cooking.

Cook to an internal temperature of 145°F

It is important to ensure that your frozen cod is cooked thoroughly before serving. The official recommendation from the FDA is to cook your cod to an internal temperature of 145°F, as measured by a food thermometer. This will produce a very firm piece of fish.

To check the internal temperature of your cod, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the fillet. If the internal temperature is 145°F and the fish flakes easily when pressed with a fork, it is ready to serve. If the internal temperature is below 145°F, continue cooking and check the temperature again after a couple of minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time will depend on the thickness of your cod fillets and the temperature at which you are cooking. As a general guide, cooking frozen cod in an air fryer at 360°F/180°C for 8 minutes should be sufficient to reach an internal temperature of 145°F. However, thicker fillets may require a longer cooking time.

Additionally, it is recommended to use cod fillets that are around six ounces and less than one inch thick when cooking directly from frozen, as larger cuts may result in uneven cooking.

Don't use thick cuts

When cooking frozen cod in an air fryer, it's best to avoid using thick cuts of fish. This is because thicker cuts of fish, such as those over one inch in thickness, can result in uneven cooking. The outside of the fish may become dry and overcooked before the inside is fully cooked.

To ensure even cooking and prevent your cod from drying out, it's recommended to use cod fillets that are around six ounces and under one inch in thickness. If you're using thicker cuts of cod, such as cod loins, it's advisable to defrost them before cooking or adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.

To cook frozen cod in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 350-390°F. Place the cod fillets in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap to allow for ample heat circulation. Cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping the fillets halfway through the cooking process. The cod is ready when it flakes easily, has an opaque white colour, and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

By following these tips and guidelines, you can ensure that your frozen cod cooks evenly and doesn't dry out, resulting in a delicious and moist final product.

Seasoning and cooking instructions

The great thing about cooking frozen cod in an air fryer is that you can season it however you like. You can keep it simple with salt and pepper, or add dried herbs such as parsley, thyme, dill, oregano, or Italian seasoning. For a more intense flavour, you could try smoked paprika, chilli powder, or even curry powder.

If you want to add a sauce, lemon and butter is a great option, or you could make a lemon, dill, and garlic dressing for a healthy and light option.

• Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 390°F.
• Remove the cod from any packaging and place it on a plate. Drizzle with olive oil and rub it into all surfaces of the cod.
• Season the cod with salt and pepper, and any other seasonings or sauces you want to use.
• Place the cod in the air fryer basket, making sure there is a little room between the fillets for the air to circulate.
• Cook for 7-10 minutes, then flip the cod and cook for another 6-8 minutes, or until the cod reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
• Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or your chosen sauce.

It's important to note that the cooking time will depend on the thickness of your cod fillets, so it's a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 145°F.

Frequently asked questions