Air Fryer Battered Fish: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying battered fish. The air fryer method is healthier, quicker, and easier, resulting in a crispy exterior and a flaky, tender interior. However, the wet batter can be challenging to work with in an air fryer, and the outcome may not be identical to traditional deep-fried fish. To achieve the best results, it is crucial to prepare a thick batter, dredge the fish in flour, and spritz it generously with oil.

Air-frying battered fish: a healthier alternative

Frying fish in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying. Air-frying battered fish is quick, easy, and convenient, and the end result is crispy and crunchy on the outside, and tender and flaky on the inside.

How to Air-Fry Battered Fish

Air-frying battered fish can be a little tricky because the batter tends to run off the food and through the holes in the bottom of the air fryer basket. However, there are a few tips and tricks to ensure your batter stays put. Firstly, ensure your fish fillet is thick, as this will prevent the fish from overcooking in the time it takes to brown the outside. Secondly, create a thick batter and then dredge the fish in flour, which will form a coating that will not slide off when you air-fry. Finally, spritz the coated fish generously with oil to ensure that none of the flour is left dry. This step might seem excessive, but it is still a lot less oil than if you were to submerge the fish in a pot of hot oil.

Air-Frying Battered Fish vs Deep-Frying

Air-frying battered fish is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as it uses very little oil, removing the extra fat and calories. Deep-fried foods are also known to increase heart disease risk factors and cause inflammation, which can lead to various health issues. Air-frying is a great way to enjoy crispy, delicious fish without the health risks associated with deep-frying.

Tips and Tricks

• Use a thick batter and dredge the fish in flour to prevent the batter from running off.
• Spritz the fish generously with oil to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.
• Preheat your air fryer to ensure the temperature and air flow are at the right levels when you cook the fish.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the fish in batches if needed to ensure even cooking.
• Ensure the fish is patted dry before cooking to prevent the breadcrumb coating from becoming soggy.
• Check the fish with a fork to ensure it is cooked to your liking. Return the fish to the air fryer for an extra minute or two if needed.

Serving Suggestions

Air-fried battered fish goes well with thick-cut chips, lemon slices, and tartar sauce on the side. You can also serve it with other potato dishes such as French fries, Tater Tots, or scalloped potatoes. A refreshing coleslaw or potato salad also pairs well with the fish. If you're feeling creative, you can even make a delicious fish burger by combining the fish with tartar sauce, cheese, and a brioche bun.

How to prepare the fish

Preparing battered fish in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy crispy fish without the need for deep frying. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare the fish:

Choose the Right Fish:

Select a mild white fish, such as cod, pollock, haddock, or basa fillets. Ensure the fish fillets are thick, ideally 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick or more, to prevent overcooking in the air fryer.

Prepare the Fish:

Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture is crucial, as it ensures the batter adheres better and prevents steaming, which can make the coating soggy. You can also cut the fish into strips or smaller pieces for more even cooking and a better batter-to-fish ratio.

Create a Battering Station:

Set up three separate bowls for dredging. In the first bowl, place plain flour or a mixture of flour with seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add garlic salt or cayenne pepper for extra flavour. The second bowl should contain a wet batter made by whisking together flour, beer (or a substitute), and an egg. The third bowl should contain plain flour or breadcrumbs (panko or regular) for the final coating.

Coat the Fish:

First, dip the fish fillets or strips into the dry flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, coat them with the wet batter, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, dip the battered fish into the flour or breadcrumbs, gently pressing to ensure the coating adheres. This double-dipping process helps create a crispy coating that will stay in place during air frying.

Prepare the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 380-400°F (190-205°C). Generously coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. You can use olive oil spray or a light coating of vegetable oil.

Cook the Fish:

Place the battered fish in the air fryer basket, ensuring the pieces do not overlap or crowd. Lightly spray or brush the tops of the fish with oil to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture. Cook for approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets and the model of your air fryer. Check the fish periodically, and consider spraying with oil once or twice during cooking to prevent the batter from drying out.

Serve:

Remove the fish from the air fryer gently, as the batter may be delicate. Serve immediately with your choice of sides and condiments, such as fries, coleslaw, tartar sauce, lemon wedges, or malt vinegar. Enjoy your delicious, crispy battered fish!

The best type of fish to use

When it comes to choosing the best type of fish to use in your air fryer, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, it is recommended to use a thick fillet, ideally around 1-inch thick, to prevent the fish from overcooking. Secondly, a mild, flaky white fish is ideal as it will stay moist and has a meaty yet flaky texture.

• Cod: This is a popular choice for air fryer fish recipes due to its mild flavour and flaky texture. It is important to pat the cod fillets dry before coating and air frying to ensure a crispy result.
• Pollock: Pollock has a similar texture to cod and haddock, making it a good alternative. It is a sustainable and cost-effective option.
• Haddock: Like cod and pollock, haddock is a white fish with a flaky texture that works well in an air fryer.
• Basa: Basa fillets are cheap and commonly used for air fryer fish recipes. They have a mild flavour and firm texture.
• Tilapia: Tilapia is a mild-flavoured fish with a firm texture, making it suitable for air frying.
• Catfish: Catfish has a distinct flavour and can be used in air fryer recipes, but it may be less commonly used than some of the other options.

When purchasing fish, it is always important to consider sustainability and choose options that are responsibly sourced.

The perfect batter

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch (optional)
• Baking soda
• Beer (preferably lager)
• Egg
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

Method

• Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl: flour, cornstarch (if using), baking soda, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Add the wet ingredients: beer and egg.
• Whisk until you have a smooth, thick batter.
• Refrigerate the batter for at least 20 minutes to allow it to thicken further and to rest.
• Pat the fish fillets dry with a paper towel. The fish fillets should be thick (at least 1 inch) to prevent overcooking in the air fryer.
• Dip the fish fillets into the batter, coating all sides.
• Let the excess batter drip off, then coat each fillet with the seasoned flour.
• Sprinkle any leftover flour on the fish fillets and pat gently to adhere.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380-390°F.
• Generously spritz both sides of the coated fish fillets with vegetable oil or cooking spray and place them in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry for 12-15 minutes at the set temperature, spritzing with more oil during cooking if there are any dry spots.
• Serve immediately with your choice of sides and condiments.

Tips

• The beer provides the quintessential fish-and-chips tang and creates a light and crispy texture due to the CO2 it contains. You can substitute it with club soda or soda water if you prefer.
• For a more delicate flavour, opt for a pale-coloured beer like a lager or amber. Stronger beers like porters or stouts can overwhelm the fish.
• If you don't want to use beer at all, you can substitute it with soda water, ginger ale, or even just water.
• Double-dipping the fish in flour before air frying helps the batter stick to the fish and makes it easier to handle and transfer to the air fryer.
• Make sure to pat the fish dry before battering and air frying to get the desired crispy texture.
• You can also use mayonnaise as a binder in your batter, as it contains both oil and egg, which are usually needed for batters and dredging.

Serving suggestions

Battered fish cooked in an air fryer is a great centrepiece for a meal. It pairs well with a variety of side dishes and condiments. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Chips: For a classic fish and chips combination, serve your battered fish with some thick-cut chips. You can cook these in the air fryer as well for a healthier option that's still nice and crispy.
• Salads: A refreshing salad can complement the crispy fish nicely. Coleslaw is a popular choice, but you could also try a potato salad or a green salad.
• Condiments: Tartar sauce is a classic choice to go with battered fish, but you could also try seafood sauce, garlic aioli, or regular mayonnaise.
• Burgers: Why not use your battered fish to make a delicious fish burger? Combine it with tartar sauce, cheese, and a brioche bun for a simple and tasty option.
• Vegetables: If you're looking for something a little healthier, serve your fish with some steamed or roasted vegetables. This can include options like sweet potato fries, scalloped potatoes, or a side of steamed greens.
• Dips and sauces: For an extra flavour boost, serve your fish with some dips or sauces on the side. This could include options like flavour slaw, tartar sauce, or even just a simple squeeze of lemon.

Frequently asked questions