Air Fryer Fish: Can You Make It?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying, allowing you to make crispy, flaky, and tender fish with less oil and effort. You can use a variety of fish, including cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, and salmon, and the cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fillets. To get that crispy texture, it's important to remove excess moisture, use cooking spray or oil, and not overcrowd the air fryer basket. While some recipes call for a flour dredge, others suggest a double dredge with flour and breadcrumbs or a wet batter. You can even make beer-battered fish in an air fryer!

Beer-battered fish in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 pound of fresh cod, cut into 4 fillets
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper
• 12 ounces of your favourite beer (a light wheat beer is recommended)
• Pickled onions, for serving
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Tartar sauce, for serving
• A pinch of salt and pepper
• 4 cups of shredded green cabbage
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• Kosher salt and pepper

Method

• Pat the fish dry with paper towels.
• Place 1 cup of flour in a bowl and add a few shakes each of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Stir to mix.
• In another bowl, whisk together the remaining cup of flour, the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour in the beer and whisk until a smooth batter forms.
• Dip each piece of fish into the beer batter, coating it completely. Then, dip it in the seasoned flour and gently press the flour to adhere. Repeat with the remaining fish.
• Spray the air fryer basket generously with non-stick/olive oil spray.
• Heat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the fish in the basket and spray all over with non-stick/olive oil spray.
• Set the timer for 12 minutes. Check once or twice during the cooking time and spray again if needed so that the batter doesn't dry out.
• While the air fryer is running, prepare your tartar sauce and slaw.
• Remove the fish gently and serve with the sauce and slaw. Serve with lemon wedges for spritzing!

Tips

• The fish should be completely coated in the seasoned flour so that the batter doesn't drip off.
• The olive oil spray is crucial to achieving a crispy and crunchy texture.
• The end result will be crispier and crunchier than traditional beer-battered fried fish, but just as delicious!

How to get crispy fish in an air fryer

Preparation

Before you start breading your fish, it's important to remove any excess moisture by patting the fillets dry with paper towels. The fillets should still be slightly damp, but you don't want them dripping wet. This step is crucial because if the fish is too wet, the breading may become soggy, and you won't get that desirable crispy texture.

Breading

There are a few different methods you can use to bread your fish, depending on the type of crispy coating you want.

Option 1: Flour and Seasoning

Place your desired amount of all-purpose flour in a bowl and add seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also use a store-bought fish seasoning mix. Dip each fish fillet into the seasoned flour, making sure it's fully coated, and then gently shake off any excess flour.

Option 2: Beer Batter

In one bowl, mix together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk together another batch of the same seasonings, along with a light wheat or regular beer, until a smooth batter forms. Dip each piece of fish into the beer batter, ensuring it's fully coated, and then dip it into a separate bowl of flour. Make sure the outside of the fish is completely coated so that the batter doesn't drip off.

Option 3: Breadcrumbs

Take a shallow dish and mix together dry breadcrumbs with seasonings like paprika, chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. You can also use store-bought seasoned breadcrumbs. Coat each fish fillet with the breadcrumb mixture, making sure to cover all sides, and then gently shake off any excess.

Cooking

Once your fish fillets are breaded, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Grease the bottom of your air fryer basket with oil or cooking spray. You can use any high-heat oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil. Place the fillets in the basket, making sure they're not overcrowded, as this will cause them to steam instead of fry.

Set the air fryer temperature to between 380-400°F (depending on your preference and the model of your air fryer) and cook the fish for about 7-15 minutes. For the best results, open the basket halfway through the cooking time and spray the fish with oil to ensure an even coating. Then, flip the fillets and continue cooking for another 7-10 minutes.

Your fish is ready when it's golden brown, crispy, and easily flaked with a fork. Serve immediately with your favorite sides and sauces, such as tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or hot sauce.

Tips

• If using frozen fish, be sure to fully thaw it before breading and cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure proper frying and crisping.
• Make sure the fish is fully coated in oil and seasonings with no spots of flour showing, as this will affect the final color and crispiness.
• For extra crispiness, spray your oil only halfway through cooking.
• For a more crispy and thick coating, double-dip your fish by coating it in the beer batter, then flour, and finally, a spray of olive oil.
• If reheating, use the air fryer to retain crispiness.

What type of fish is best for an air fryer

Yes, you can make batter-fried fish in an air fryer! Here are some tips on choosing the best type of fish for this cooking method.

When it comes to selecting fish for air frying, there are several suitable options to consider. Firstly, go for a firm, mild white fish. This can include varieties such as haddock, pollock, cod, halibut, flounder, or whiting. These types of fish tend to hold up well during the air-frying process. If using a thinner fish like whiting or flounder, simply adjust the cooking time accordingly, as they will cook faster.

Additionally, it is recommended to use fresh fish fillets whenever possible. However, if you opt for frozen fish, ensure that it is of good quality and completely thawed before cooking. To thaw frozen fish, either leave it in the fridge overnight or submerge it in a sealed bag in ice-cold water for a quicker method.

When preparing the fish for air frying, it is crucial to pat the fillets dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step will help ensure a perfectly crispy exterior. Once the fish is dry, you can proceed with coating it in your chosen batter or breading.

In terms of breading, you can use either homemade or store-bought dried breadcrumbs. For a gluten-free option, gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used. Season the breadcrumbs with your preferred spices, such as onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, or salt.

For a crispy and crunchy coating, Panko breadcrumbs are an excellent choice. They are known for their ability to create a light and airy texture. However, regular breadcrumbs will also work well and can be easily substituted if that is what you have on hand.

Once your fish is coated, be sure to give it a light spray or drizzle of oil before placing it in the air fryer. This will help prevent the fish from sticking to the air fryer basket and promote even browning.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your air-fried fish turns out crispy, moist, and delicious!

Can you use frozen fish in an air fryer

Yes, you can use frozen fish in an air fryer! It's a convenient way to cook a delicious main dish in just 15-20 minutes, with minimal cleanup. The air fryer cooks the fish evenly, resulting in a flaky and juicy interior with golden brown, crispy edges.

• You don't need to defrost the fish first. Simply take it out of the freezer and follow the steps below.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F (193-204°C).
• If needed, prepare the air fryer basket with olive oil, aluminium foil, parchment paper, or a non-stick cooking spray.
• Place the frozen fish fillets directly into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them for the hot air to circulate.
• For breaded frozen fish, spray the basket with cooking spray and skip the seasoning. Air fry at 400°F (204°C) for about 15 minutes or until white and flaky inside.
• For unbreaded frozen fish, brush or rub the fillets with a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings like salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
• Air fry unbreaded frozen fish for about 15-20 minutes at 400°F (204°C) or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
• No flipping is required for unbreaded frozen fish, as it may cause the fillet to fall apart.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the type and thickness of the fish, as well as the model of your air fryer.
• Serve with your favourite sides, such as fries, hushpuppies, salads, or grains.

How to serve air-fried fish

There are many ways to serve air-fried fish. Here are some ideas:

Sauces

You can serve your air-fried fish with a variety of sauces, such as tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or hot sauce. You could also serve it with a side of lemon wedges to add a citrusy kick.

Sides

Air-fried fish pairs well with potato and veggie sides. You could try air fryer potato wedges, air fryer French fries, or even cheesy mashed potato cakes. If you want to add some greenery to your plate, air fryer asparagus and mushrooms could be a good option.

Other Dishes

If you're looking for something more substantial, you could serve your air-fried fish with air fryer chicken wings, air fryer chicken drumsticks, or air fryer hamburgers. For a lighter option, a simple side salad or some slaw would also work well.

Reheating

If you have any leftovers, you can reheat your air-fried fish in the air fryer to restore its crispy texture.

Frequently asked questions