Frying Fish In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great way to cook fish, yielding crispy, golden, and tender results with less oil and effort than traditional frying methods. This technique is suitable for a variety of fish types, including mild white fish such as haddock, cod, and tilapia, as well as salmon. The basic process involves coating the fish with a thin layer of oil, breading it, and then air frying it at temperatures between 350-400°F for around 12-15 minutes. The air fryer's non-stick coating and ability to cook in batches further contribute to its convenience and versatility.

Air fryer fish recipes

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-fat frying, allowing you to cook fried-style fish with very little oil. You can use any kind of fish fillets, such as cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, hake, haddock, or salmon. Here are some recipes to get you started:

Air Fryer Whole Fish

First, prepare your fish by gutting and descaling it. You can ask your fishmonger to do this for you if you prefer. Wash the fish in a bowl of cold water with lime/lemon and salt, then rinse it off. Trim off the dorsal and pectoral fins with kitchen scissors and pat the fish dry.

Make diagonal scores on each side of the fish, being careful not to cut too deep into the cavity. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lime juice, jerk seasoning paste, seafood seasoning, and paprika. Add a splash of water if the paste is too thick. Taste the mixture and add salt and pepper if needed.

Use your hands (with gloves) or a pastry brush to coat the fish with the wet rub, including the cavity and the scores. Leave the fish to marinate for 1-2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

Preheat your air fryer and place parchment paper or a liner in the basket. Place the fish in the basket and air fry at 190C/375F for 25-30 minutes, turning it over halfway through. You can add vegetables to the basket for the last 10 minutes of cooking time.

Crispy Air Fryer Fish Fillets

For this recipe, you will need:

• 6-8 2oz (200g) fish fillets
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 cup (50g) of dry bread crumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder or granules
• 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Defrost the fish fillets if they are frozen. Drizzle with olive oil and ensure the fish is well coated. In a shallow dish, mix the bread crumbs with paprika, chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.

Coat each fish fillet with the bread crumb mixture and place them in your air fryer basket. Cook at 390F/200C for 12-15 minutes, flipping the fillets halfway through.

Air-Fried Crumbed Fish

You will need:

• 1 cup of dry bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
• Fish fillets (any type)
• Eggs
• Lemon slices to garnish

Preheat your air fryer to 350F/180C. Place the bread crumbs and oil in a shallow bowl and stir until the mixture is loose and crumbly. Dip the fish fillets into beaten egg, then shake off any excess. Next, dip the fillets into the bread crumb mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated.

Place the coated fillets in the air fryer basket and cook for about 12 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Garnish with lemon slices and serve.

Quick and Tasty Air Fryer White Fish

This recipe uses thin, skinless white fish fillets. You will need:

• Smoked paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Ground cumin
• Sea salt and ground pepper
• Avocado oil or olive oil
• Fresh lemon wedges

Preheat your air fryer to 380F/193C for 3-4 minutes. Combine the seasonings with the oil in a small bowl. Pat the fish dry with a paper towel, then rub the fillets with the oil/spice mix. Place the fish in the air fryer and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork.

You can use any type of white fish fillets for this recipe, such as sea bass, haddock, flounder, grouper, or cod.

Air fryer vs deep frying

Air fryers and deep fryers are two popular methods for frying food, but they differ in several ways. Here is a detailed comparison between the two:

Method of Cooking:

Air fryers use hot circulating air to cook food, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft interior. They are like a hybrid between a conventional oven and a deep fat fryer. In contrast, deep fryers involve submerging food in hot oil, giving it that signature deep-fried texture and taste.

Health:

Air fryers are considered healthier than deep fryers because they use little to no oil, reducing the amount of saturated fat in your food. This makes air fryers a good option for health-conscious individuals who still want to enjoy fried foods without compromising their health.

Taste:

Deep-fried food will have an oily fried coating, giving it a distinct taste. Air-fried food, on the other hand, will have a similar crispness but with less oil, resulting in a "healthier" taste. The outside of the food will taste different, but the inside will be largely the same.

Cooking Process:

Deep frying requires more effort and attention. You need to monitor the temperature and may need to double fry for crispiness. Air fryers, especially those with stirring paddles, require less intervention, and you can simply wait for the food to be cooked.

Cleanup:

Deep fryers can be messy and time-consuming to clean. You have to deal with large amounts of oil, which can be a hassle to dispose of. Air fryers, on the other hand, are much easier to clean, and some parts can even go straight into the dishwasher.

Price:

Deep fryers are typically cheaper than air fryers, with prices starting at $25. Air fryers usually cost upwards of $100, but they often go on sale.

Versatility:

Deep fryers offer more versatility in terms of the food you can cook. You can fry anything from donuts to chicken in a deep fryer. Air fryers, however, cannot handle wet batter, so you'll have to stick to dry coatings like breading.

Speed:

Deep fryers win when it comes to speed. They can cook food faster than air fryers, which typically take around 15-25 minutes for most items.

Convenience:

Air fryers are more convenient for day-to-day use because they are faster, less messy, and easier to operate. With an air fryer, you don't have to deal with large vats of oil, and the cleanup is quicker.

In conclusion, both air fryers and deep fryers have their pros and cons. If you're looking for that classic deep-fried taste and texture, a deep fryer is the way to go. However, if you want a healthier, more convenient, and less messy option for frying food, an air fryer might be a better choice.

Air fryer fish cooking times and temperatures

Yes, you can fry fish in an air fryer. The cooking time and temperature will depend on the type and thickness of the fish, as well as the model of your air fryer. Here is a guide to help you get started:

When cooking fish in an air fryer, it's important to note that the cooking time and temperature will vary depending on the type of fish and the thickness of the fillets or steaks. It is recommended to cook fish in an air fryer at a temperature between 360°F and 390°F. The cooking time can range from 8 to 30 minutes, depending on the type of fish and the desired doneness.

For thinner fish fillets or steaks, such as tilapia or snapper, a cooking time of 8 to 12 minutes at 360°F to 390°F is usually sufficient. For thicker cuts of fish, such as halibut or cod, you may need to increase the cooking time to 15-30 minutes and cook at a similar temperature. It is always a good idea to check the doneness of the fish by using a fork to flake the fish. If the fish flakes easily, it is likely cooked.

Additionally, it is important to ensure that your air fryer basket is not overcrowded, as this can prevent the fish from crisping evenly. You may need to cook the fish in batches if you are preparing a larger quantity.

• Tilapia: 360°F for 6-12 minutes
• Haddock: 390°F for 12-15 minutes
• Cod: 390°F for 15-30 minutes
• Halibut: 360°F for 12-15 minutes
• Salmon: 390°F for 12-15 minutes

It is worth noting that these are just guidelines, and the specific cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model and personal preferences for doneness. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations for your particular air fryer model.

Furthermore, when cooking fish in an air fryer, it is recommended to use a light coating of oil or cooking spray to prevent the fish from sticking to the air fryer basket. Parchment paper or silicone liners can also be used to facilitate easy cleanup and prevent sticking.

Air fryer fish seasoning

Yes, you can fry fish in an air fryer! Here are some tips and tricks for seasoning your fish before air frying:

Seasoning and Marinades

Before cooking, you'll want to season your fish fillets. You can use a store-bought fish seasoning or make your own by combining spices like paprika, chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. You can also add some citrus by squeezing lime or lemon over the fish, which is common in Caribbean cuisine. If you want to add extra flavour, you can create a wet rub or marinade with olive oil, lime juice, and seasonings. Leave the fish to marinate for an hour or two, or even overnight in the refrigerator.

Breading

If you're looking for a crispy coating on your fish, you can bread the fillets before air frying. Dredge the fish in flour or coat them with breadcrumbs. You can use homemade or store-bought dried breadcrumbs and mix in your desired spices. Make sure to coat the fish evenly and remove any excess breading before placing them in the air fryer.

Cooking Tips

When cooking, make sure your air fryer basket isn't overcrowded, as this will prevent the fish from crisping properly. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the type and thickness of your fish, as well as the model of your air fryer. The fish is ready when it flakes easily with a fork. For an extra crispy coating, spray the fish with oil halfway through the cooking process.

Air fryer fish batter

Yes, you can fry fish in an air fryer! Here are some tips and tricks for making the perfect air-fried fish batter.

First, it is important to pat your fish fillets dry with a paper towel before battering. This will help the batter stick to the fish and ensure that your fish doesn't steam, which could result in a soggy coating.

Next, prepare your dredging station. You will need three bowls: one with flour, one with a beaten egg, and one with breadcrumbs. You can season the flour with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, or just season the fish before battering.

Now, it's time to coat the fish. First, dip the fish in the flour, then the egg, and finally, the breadcrumbs. Make sure to press down lightly on the breadcrumbs so that they stick to the fish.

Before placing the fish in the air fryer, spray both sides with oil. This step is crucial, as it will help the batter cook properly and ensure that your fish doesn't stick to the air fryer basket.

Place the fish in the preheated air fryer and cook for 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. Check the fish for doneness after 10 minutes and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes if needed.

If you want to get creative, you can also make a beer batter for your fish. Simply combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda, beer, and an egg, and stir until smooth. Dip your fish in the batter, let the excess drip off, and then coat with seasoned flour. Spritz both sides with oil and air fry for 12 minutes at 380-390°F.

With these tips, you'll be able to make delicious, crispy fish in your air fryer with minimal mess and maximum flavor!

Frequently asked questions