Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, allowing you to cook crispy, golden fish without the need for excessive oil. You can use an air fryer to cook a variety of fish, including white fish such as cod, tilapia, haddock, and halibut, as well as salmon, catfish, and pollock. The process is simple: coat the fish fillets in a thin layer of oil and breadcrumbs, place them in the air fryer basket, and cook at around 390°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes. You can serve your air-fried fish with tartar sauce, lemon wedges, and a variety of sides, making it a quick, easy, and healthy meal option.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Fish types | Any kind of fish fillets, e.g. cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, hake, haddock, salmon, whiting, halibut, flounder, walleye |
Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, vegetable oil |
Breadcrumbs | Italian breadcrumbs, plain breadcrumbs, gluten-free breadcrumbs, panko, cornflakes, almond flour, crushed pork rinds |
Spices | Cayenne, Italian seasoning, paprika, chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt |
Temperature | 390°F (199°C) or 200°C, 350°F (180°C) |
Cooking time | 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through |
Serving suggestions | Tartar sauce, lemon wedges, hot sauce, coleslaw, hush puppies, Greek lemon potatoes, French fries, fish tacos, fish taco bowls |
What You'll Learn
Air fryer fish recipes
Yes, you can use an air fryer to fry fish! Here are some recipes you can try:
Air Fryer Fish Fillets
This recipe works with any kind of fish fillets, such as cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, hake, haddock, or salmon. You will need:
- 6-8 2oz (200 g) fish fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 cup (50 g) dry bread crumbs (use gluten-free breadcrumbs if following a gluten-free diet)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or granules
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
If using frozen fish fillets, defrost them first. Drizzle with olive oil, and make sure the fish is well coated with oil. In a shallow dish, mix the bread crumbs with paprika, chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Coat each fish fillet in the bread crumbs, and transfer to your air fryer basket.
Cook in the air fryer at 390°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through at 8-10 minutes. Serve hot with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
Quick and Tasty Air Fryer White Fish
This recipe uses thin, skinless white fish fillets. You can use any fish you can find on sale, such as sea bass, haddock, flounder, grouper, red snapper, cod, whiting, hake, or pollock. You will need:
- 2 tsps smoked paprika
- 2 tsps Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste
- 1-1/2 Tbsps avocado oil or olive oil
- 2 x 6 – 8oz thin, skinless white fish fillets
- Fresh lemon wedges for serving
Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-4 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the seasonings with the oil. Pat your fish dry with a paper towel on all sides. Rub the fish fillets on all sides with the oil/spice mix and place them in the air fryer. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or just until the fish easily flakes with a fork. The exact time will depend on the size and thickness of your fish.
Air-Fried Crumbed Fish
This recipe uses flounder, but you can use any type of fish fillets. You will need:
- 1 cup dry bread crumbs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- Fish fillets
- Egg
- Lemon slices, to garnish
Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Place the bread crumbs and oil into a shallow bowl and stir until the mixture becomes loose and crumbly. Dip the fish fillets into the egg, shake off any excess, then dip into the bread crumb mixture, coating evenly and fully. Lay the coated fillets gently in the air fryer basket and cook until the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 12 minutes. Garnish with lemon slices and serve.
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How to get crispy fish
Frying fish in an air fryer is a great way to achieve crispy, golden results without the need for excessive oil or the hassle of deep frying. Here are some tips and tricks to get crispy fish:
Choose the Right Fish
Select a firm, mild white fish such as haddock, pollock, cod, halibut, flounder, or tilapia. These types of fish work well in the air fryer and will give you a crispy texture.
Prepare the Fish
Start by patting the fish fillets dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial as it helps the coating adhere better to the fish. Season the fillets with salt and pepper, or other seasonings of your choice, such as Cajun seasoning or Old Bay.
Bread the Fish
For a crispy coating, you can use breadcrumbs, cornmeal, or a combination of both. You can also add spices to your breading mixture for extra flavour. Beat an egg in a shallow bowl and dip the fillets in it, then coat them with the breading mixture. Make sure the fish is evenly and fully coated.
Use Oil
Lightly coat the fish with oil before placing it in the air fryer. This will help the breading crisp up and turn golden. You can use a spray bottle or brush to apply the oil.
Cook at the Right Temperature and Time
Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically between 350-400°F (180-200°C). Place the coated fish fillets in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the fish is golden and crispy.
Serve Immediately
For the best results, serve your crispy fish immediately. It can be paired with sides such as tartar sauce, lemon wedges, French fries, or roasted vegetables.
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What type of fish to use
When it comes to choosing a type of fish to cook in an air fryer, there are several options that work well. It's best to opt for a firm, mild white fish, such as:
- Cod
- Haddock
- Halibut
- Tilapia
- Catfish
- Pollock
- Hake
- Whiting
- Walleye
- Flounder
These types of fish tend to hold up well when air-fried, resulting in a crispy, flaky texture. However, don't be afraid to experiment with other varieties of fish to find your favourite.
If using frozen fish, be sure to let it thaw completely before cooking. This will help prevent moisture from escaping during the cooking process and ensure your fish has a perfectly crispy exterior.
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How to avoid fish sticking to the air fryer
Yes, you can use an air fryer to fry fish! It's a great way to cook fried-style fish with very little oil, making it a healthier option. You can use any kind of fish fillets, such as cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, hake, haddock, or salmon.
To avoid fish sticking to the air fryer, try the following:
- Brush the inside of the air fryer basket with oil or a small amount of vegetable oil spray before cooking.
- Use parchment paper, specifically air fryer-safe parchment paper, to line the basket. You can also make your own by cutting regular parchment paper to the size of your air fryer basket and poking holes in it to allow warm air to pass through.
- Avoid using non-stick cooking sprays like PAM, as these can damage the air fryer over time.
- Make sure the fish is not overcrowded in the basket, as this will prevent the fish from crisping and cause it to steam instead of fry.
- Pat the fish fillets dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture before cooking.
- For breaded fish, coat the fillets in a thin layer of oil before pressing them into the breadcrumbs. This will help the coating adhere better.
- Flip the fish halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking.
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What to serve with air fryer fish
There are many side dishes that can accompany air fryer fish. Here are some ideas:
Vegetable Side Dishes
- Mushy peas
- Air fryer or oven-baked French fries
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Air fryer green beans
- Air fryer asparagus and mushrooms
- Air fryer potato wedges
- Air fryer French fries
- Baked potato wedges
- Roasted green beans
- Kale chips
- Zucchini fries
- Roasted cauliflower
- Coleslaw
- Air fryer or oven-baked onion rings
- Air fryer asparagus
- Sous vide zucchini
- Simple skillet green beans
Other Side Dishes
- Cheesy mashed potato cakes
- Tartar sauce
- Hot sauce
- Remoulade sauce
- Lemon wedges
- Hush puppies
- Mashed potatoes
- Mac and cheese
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any firm, mild white fish such as haddock, cod, tilapia, salmon, catfish, pollock, hake, halibut, flounder, or whiting.
Brush the inside of the air fryer basket with oil or line it with parchment paper or parchment liners before adding the fish.
It usually takes around 12-15 minutes to cook fish in the air fryer, but the timing may vary depending on the type and thickness of the fish.
To make crispy fish, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket as it will create steam. Refrigerate the breaded fish before frying, and use parchment paper or liners to prevent sticking.