Air-Frying Haddock: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Treat

Yes, you can cook haddock in an air fryer. It is a convenient and healthy way to cook the fish, with several seasoning and serving options. The process is simple and only takes a few steps and around 20 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fillets and the model of the air fryer.

Cooking Haddock in an Air Fryer

Beer-battered haddock

Haddock is a delicious fish with a flavour and texture similar to cod. It can be cooked in an air fryer in a variety of ways, including beer-battered.

Ingredients

• Haddock fillets
• Flour
• Cornstarch
• Baking soda
• Beer
• Egg
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Vegetable oil or olive oil spray

Method

• Combine 1 cup of flour, cornstarch, and baking soda in a large bowl.
• Add the beer and egg, then stir or whisk until smooth. The batter should be thick.
• Cover the bowl of batter and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
• In a separate shallow dish, combine 3/4 cup flour, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
• Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels.
• Dip the fish into the batter, coating all sides, and let the excess drip off.
• Coat each fillet with the seasoned flour.
• Sprinkle any leftover flour on the fish fillets and pat gently to adhere.
• Preheat the air fryer to 390°F.
• Generously spritz both sides of the coated fish fillets with vegetable oil or olive oil spray.
• Place the fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap so that air can circulate around each one.
• Air-fry for 12 minutes at 390ºF.
• Check that the fish is cooked through by using a food thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 140-145°F at the thickest part of the fillet. The fish should also be opaque and flake easily with a fork.

Serving Suggestions

• Tartar sauce
• Coleslaw
• Steamed vegetables
• Salad
• Rice
• Potatoes
• Asparagus
• Roasted baby potatoes with garlic and lemon butter sauce
• Miso butter sauce with chow mein and sesame tenderstem broccoli

Pre-cooking prep

Preparing haddock for cooking in an air fryer is simple and only requires a few steps. First, ensure your fillets are either fresh or fully thawed if frozen. Next, pat the fillets dry with paper towels. This step is important as it helps the seasoning stick to the fish.

Once dry, you can season the fillets. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, Parmesan, salt, and black pepper on both sides of the fillets. You can also marinate the fillets in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic for 15-30 minutes before cooking. If you want to add a stuffing, prepare your chosen stuffing and lay the fillets flat. Place a generous amount of stuffing on top of each fillet and carefully roll them up, securing with toothpicks if necessary.

If you are using frozen haddock, you can cook it directly from frozen, following your air fryer's instructions for frozen food. You only need to add one minute to the cooking time.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for haddock in an air fryer will depend on several factors, including the thickness of the fillets, the model of the air fryer, and whether the haddock is fresh or frozen.

It is important to ensure that haddock is cooked thoroughly to a safe internal temperature. A food thermometer can be used to check that the internal temperature of the haddock has reached 140–145 °F at the thickest part of the fillet. The fish should be opaque with no translucency and should flake easily with a fork.

When cooking haddock in an air fryer, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 350 °F for about 5 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fillets, with thinner cuts taking around 8 minutes and thicker cuts requiring an additional minute or two. It is important to note that cooking time may also vary depending on the model of the air fryer. To ensure even cooking, it is recommended to place the fillets in a single layer and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.

For frozen haddock, it is recommended to add just one minute to the cooking time. It is also possible to cook the frozen haddock directly from the freezer, following the air fryer's instructions for frozen food.

For reheating leftover haddock in the air fryer, set the temperature to 320–350 °F and cook for 3–7 minutes, flipping halfway through. It is suggested to loosely wrap the fillets in foil and add a drop of water to create steam.

For beer-battered haddock, a higher temperature of 400 °F is used, and the cooking time can be up to 15 minutes or longer for thicker fillets.

Reheating haddock

Preparation:

Firstly, it is important to note that reheating fish can be tricky, and it is recommended to consume it fresh. However, if you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Reheating:

When you're ready to reheat, start by setting the haddock fillets out for 15-30 minutes to bring them to room temperature. This step is optional but helps ensure even reheating.

Next, preheat your air fryer to 200°C/390°F. It is recommended to loosely wrap the fillets in foil and add a small amount of water to create steam, which will help keep the fish moist.

Place the haddock fillets in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Leave some space between the fillets to allow hot air to circulate around them. If your fillets have skin, place them skin-side down for a crispy texture.

Reheat the haddock for around 3 minutes at 200°C/390°F. You may need to adjust the time depending on the size of your fillets and the model of your air fryer. For smaller fillets, reduce the cooking time, and for larger or thicker fillets, add a minute or two.

Halfway through the reheating process, gently turn the fillets over to ensure even cooking. Be careful when handling the fillets, as they will be delicate and prone to breaking.

Checking for Doneness:

To check if your haddock is ready, use a meat or food thermometer to ensure it has reached an internal temperature of 140-145°F at the thickest part of the fillet. The fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork when fully reheated.

Serving:

Once your haddock is reheated, serve it with your choice of sides and sauces. Some popular options include lemon wedges, tartar sauce, steamed vegetables, salad, or roasted potatoes.

Enjoy your delicious and crispy reheated haddock!

Serving suggestions

Air fryer haddock is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:

Salads

Haddock's light flavour and flaky texture make it an excellent addition to salads. Try serving it on a bed of greens such as a Greek rice or pasta salad, or a simple cucumber and onion salad with vinegar. For a summer twist, you could also top your favourite salad with the haddock, adding some extra protein to your meal.

Fish Tacos

Flake the haddock into small corn tortillas and top with guacamole, fresh salsa, and shredded lettuce for a light and fresh take on fish tacos. You can also add coriander-garlic rice and elotes for a heartier meal.

Rice Bowls

Create a rice bowl by serving the haddock with fried rice, cilantro-lime rice, or coriander-garlic rice. You can also add other ingredients such as beans, vegetables, or a sauce like cream cheese or garlic butter.

Vegetables

Air fryer haddock goes well with a variety of vegetables. Try serving it with roasted baby potatoes, asparagus, or a medley of roasted carrots, potatoes, and onions. For a healthier option, steam or boil your vegetables. Broiled asparagus, slow cooker corn on the cob, or air fryer frozen Brussels sprouts are also great options.

Potato Dishes

Potatoes are a classic pairing with fish, and haddock is no exception. Serve your haddock with mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, or potato wedges. For an extra crispy texture, cook your potatoes in the air fryer.

Sides and Sauces

Haddock can be served with a variety of sides and sauces. Try it with tartar sauce, lemon wedges, coleslaw, or a light garlic and lemon butter sauce. For a spicier option, add some hot pepper sauce or chilli pepper flakes to your dish.

Stuffing

For a heartier meal, stuff your haddock fillets with crabmeat, spinach, and cheese before air frying. This will add extra flavour and texture to your dish.

Remember, these are just a few suggestions, and the possibilities are endless! Feel free to get creative and experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to find your perfect air fryer haddock meal.

Frequently asked questions