Air-Fried Fish And Chips: A Tasty, Greaseless Treat

Fish and chips is a classic dish, but it can be a bit messy and unhealthy due to the traditional deep-frying method. However, with an air fryer, you can enjoy this delicious meal with less guilt and hassle. The air fryer's rapid circulation of hot air can make food extremely crisp, much like deep-frying, but with less oil. This means you can indulge in fish and chips more often without the mess and excess calories.

To make fish and chips in an air fryer, start by selecting the right type of fish, such as cod, haddock, or pollock, which have mild flavours and firm textures that hold up well during cooking. Fresh fish is best, but you can also use frozen fillets if they are of good quality. Before cooking, pat the fillets dry to remove excess moisture, and season with salt, pepper, and any desired spices or herbs.

Next, prepare the batter by combining flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and seasonings. Whisk in cold sparkling water or beer for a light and crispy batter. Let the batter rest to ensure it is lump-free. Meanwhile, cut potatoes into even-sized sticks, rinse them, and pat dry. Preheat your air fryer while you prepare the chips.

Drizzle the potato sticks with oil and toss to coat. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn.

After the chips are done, it's time to cook the fish. Preheat the air fryer again and dip each seasoned fillet into the batter. Allow excess batter to drip off, then place the fish in the air fryer. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until the fish is golden brown and crispy.

Serve your air-fried fish and chips with traditional condiments like tartar sauce, ketchup, or malt vinegar, and a slice of lemon. Enjoy this healthier twist on a classic dish!

Choosing the right fish

The first step in making fish and chips in an air fryer is selecting the right type of fish. White fish with a mild flavour and a firm texture that holds up well during cooking is ideal. Common varieties used include cod, haddock, pollock, tilapia, catfish, and halibut. Fresh fish is preferable, but you can also use frozen fish fillets if they are of good quality.

Before cooking, it is essential to prepare the fish properly. Start by patting the fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, a crucial step for achieving a crispy coating. Then, season the fish with salt and pepper, and any other desired spices or herbs. You may also add a squeeze of lemon juice for a burst of freshness.

The batter is integral to fish and chips, providing the signature crispy coating. In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt, along with any other seasonings you prefer. Whisk in cold sparkling water or beer until you achieve a smooth, thick consistency. The carbonation in these liquids helps create a light and crispy batter. Allow the batter to rest for about 15 minutes to ensure it is well combined and free of lumps.

When preparing the fish for cooking, dip each seasoned fillet into the batter, ensuring it is evenly coated. Let any excess batter drip off before placing the fish in the air fryer basket or tray. This step is important to prevent burning on the bottom of the appliance.

It is also worth noting that while this recipe calls for a batter, it is possible to prepare fish and chips in an air fryer using a breadcrumb coating. This method involves dredging the fish in flour, dipping it in an egg wash, and then coating it with breadcrumbs before air frying.

Preparing the potatoes

Step 1: Selecting and Cutting the Potatoes

Choose floury potatoes such as Russet or Idaho potatoes, which are ideal for making crispy chips. You'll need about 1-1.5 pounds of potatoes, or around 2 to 3 medium-sized potatoes. Peel the potatoes and cut them into even-sized sticks, about half an inch thick. This ensures consistent cooking and even browning.

Step 2: Soaking the Potatoes

Fill a bowl with cold water and soak the potato sticks for at least 30 minutes, or up to 3 hours if you have the time. Soaking helps remove excess starch, resulting in crispier chips. If you're soaking for longer than 30 minutes, remember to change the water at least once during the process.

Step 3: Drying and Seasoning the Potatoes

After soaking, drain the water from the potatoes and dry them thoroughly with a clean towel. This step is important, as any remaining moisture can affect the crispiness of your chips. Then, season the potatoes with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder or paprika to enhance the flavor. Toss the potatoes well to ensure an even coating of oil and seasonings.

Step 4: Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) while you prepare the potatoes. This step is crucial for achieving the desired crispiness and even cooking. Depending on your air fryer model, it may take a few minutes to reach the desired temperature.

Step 5: Arranging the Potatoes in the Air Fryer

Carefully place the seasoned potato sticks in the air fryer basket or tray. Ensure they are arranged in a single layer and not overcrowded. Overcrowding can cause uneven cooking and prevent the potatoes from getting crispy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potatoes in batches.

Step 6: Cooking the Potatoes

Cook the potatoes in the preheated air fryer for approximately 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them and give the basket a shake or flip the potatoes halfway through the cooking process. This ensures even browning and prevents them from sticking. The cooking time may vary based on the thickness of your potato sticks and your air fryer model.

Step 7: Checking for Doneness and Seasoning

Once the potatoes are golden brown and crispy, it's time to take them out of the air fryer. Sprinkle them with salt and any additional seasonings of your choice. You can also sprinkle on some dried or fresh herbs like parsley for extra flavor. Give the potatoes a final toss to ensure an even coating of seasonings.

And there you have it! Perfectly cooked, crispy potato chips to go with your fish. Enjoy your homemade fish and chips, and feel free to experiment with different seasonings or dips to suit your taste!

Making the batter

Next, prepare your batter by combining flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. You can also add other seasonings to the batter if you like. Then, slowly whisk in cold sparkling water or beer until you achieve a smooth and thick consistency. The carbonation in the liquid helps create a light and crispy batter. Let the batter rest for about 15 minutes to allow it to thicken and become lump-free.

Once your batter is ready, dip each seasoned fish fillet into it, ensuring an even coat. Allow any excess batter to drip off before placing the fish in the air fryer. This step is crucial to avoid any burning or mess in your air fryer.

You can also add a creative twist to your batter by experimenting with different seasonings or using flavored sparkling water. Just remember to use carbonated or bubbly liquid to achieve that light and crispy texture.

Cooking the chips

To make the chips, you'll need floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper. The quantity depends on how many you're serving, but a good rule of thumb is to allow for 1 large potato per person.

Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1/2-inch thick slices, then cut these slices into 1/2-inch thick sticks. Place the sticks in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the potato sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Cook for 5-10 minutes, then toss the potatoes and cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until they are lightly browned and crispy.

If you want to get ahead, you can cook the chips in advance and keep them warm in a low oven while you cook the fish.

For extra crispy chips, you can soak the cut potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes, and up to 3 hours, before draining and drying them thoroughly. This helps to remove some of the starch, resulting in crispier chips.

If you're short on time, you can also use frozen, shop-bought steak fries. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook in batches if necessary. Flip them halfway through and cook until crispy—this should take 12-14 minutes in total.

Cooking the fish

Preparing the Fish

Start by choosing the right type of fish. White fish varieties like cod, haddock, pollock, or halibut are ideal due to their mild flavour and firm texture. You can use fresh or frozen fish fillets, but it is essential to pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy coating.

Seasoning

Once your fish fillets are dry, it's time to season them. You can use salt and pepper, and any other desired spices or herbs. A squeeze of lemon juice can also add a burst of freshness. If you want to be adventurous, you can experiment with different seasonings or herbs in the batter.

Battering

The batter plays an integral part in creating the signature crispy coating of fish and chips. In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. You can also add any other desired seasonings to enhance the flavour. Then, whisk in cold sparkling water or beer until you achieve a smooth and thick consistency. The carbonation in these liquids helps create a light and crispy batter. Allow the batter to rest for about 15 minutes to ensure it is well combined and free of lumps.

Dredging

Set up a dredging station with three separate bowls. The first bowl should contain the flour mixture, the second bowl should have beaten eggs, and the third bowl should be filled with panko or regular breadcrumbs. You can season the flour with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for extra flavour. One by one, dip the fish fillets in the flour, then the egg, and finally, the breadcrumbs. Make sure to coat them well and shake off any excess.

Cooking in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 375°F and 400°F. Place the coated fish fillets in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Spray the tops of the fish generously with cooking oil spray.

Cook the fish for about 10 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. You don't need to flip the fish, as this can cause the breading to come off. However, you can open the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time and spray the fish again to ensure even cooking. The fish is done when it is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork.

Serving

Once your fish is cooked to perfection, it's time to serve. Arrange the crispy fish fillets on a platter alongside your favourite chips. Don't forget to provide traditional condiments like tartar sauce, ketchup, or malt vinegar, and a slice of lemon to squeeze over the fish. You can also serve it with a side of mushy peas or a garden salad for a well-rounded meal.

Enjoy your delicious and crispy fish and chips, freshly cooked in your air fryer!

Frequently asked questions