Fish Fry In An Air Fryer: Any Special Fish Required?

Air fryers are a great way to cook fish, yielding a crispy texture without the need for deep frying and excessive oil. You can use regular fish fry in an air fryer, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is recommended to use a thin white fish such as cod, haddock, or pollock, as thicker fillets like tuna may take longer to cook. Secondly, ensure that the fish is not overcrowded in the air fryer basket to prevent steaming instead of frying. Finally, preheating the air fryer and removing excess moisture from the fish before breading it can help ensure a crispy texture.

What kind of fish can be cooked in an air fryer?

You can cook almost any type of fish fillet in an air fryer. However, the best types of fish for the air fryer are moderately thin, white, and flaky fish, such as cod, haddock, pollock, tilapia, catfish, hake, or mahi-mahi. These types of fish can be fresh or thawed frozen. Thicker fish fillets like tuna or swordfish can also be cooked in the air fryer but will take longer to cook.

It is important to note that frozen fish should be completely thawed before cooking in the air fryer, as the breadcrumb coating will not stick to frozen fish, and it will also contain a lot of water. To thaw fish, leave it in the fridge overnight or, if the piece is small, leave it on the counter for an hour submerged in ice-cold water.

When cooking fish in the air fryer, it is best to cut the fillets into strips and dip them in flour and then egg, which helps the seasoned breadcrumb mixture stick. Spray the coated fish and the air fryer basket with cooking spray, and cook in batches. The air fryer will circulate hot air evenly around the fish fillets, cooking them quickly and with very little oil.

How to make air fryer fish

Yes, you can use regular fish fry in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for making air fryer fish:

Ingredients:

• 6-8 2oz (200 g) fish fillets (fresh or frozen)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 cup (50 g) dry bread crumbs (use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed)
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or granules
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Tartar sauce (optional)
• Lemon wedges (optional)

Instructions:

• If using frozen fish fillets, defrost them by leaving them in the fridge overnight or by submerging them in ice-cold water for an hour.
• Drizzle the fish fillets with olive oil and ensure they are 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 evenly in the breadcrumb mixture and remove any excess breading.
• Place the coated fish fillets in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Cook in the air fryer at 390°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes.
• After the first 8-10 minutes, open the air fryer and flip the fish fillets.
• Check if the fish is cooked to your liking by flaking it with a fork. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Serve hot with tartar sauce and lemon wedges, if desired.

Tips:

• If you prefer a flour coating instead of breadcrumbs, you can dip the fish fillets in flour and then egg before cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking.
• Make sure to remove any excess moisture from the fish before breading to prevent the coating from becoming soggy.
• Depending on the thickness of your fillets, you may need to adjust the cooking time.

How to keep fish from sticking to the air fryer

Yes, you can cook regular fish in an air fryer. However, it can be tricky to get right, as fish is notorious for breaking apart into little bits or sticking to the cooking surface.

To prevent fish from sticking to your air fryer, the best method is to use parchment paper. Parchment paper has a special non-stick coating that can withstand high heat and prevent food from sticking to it. It also works to prevent food from directly touching the air fryer's grid plate, which is often what causes food to stick. You can buy pre-made parchment paper liners for your air fryer, or make your own by cutting regular parchment paper to the size of your air fryer basket and poking holes in it to allow warm air to pass through.

However, it's important to note that you shouldn't use aluminium foil as a substitute for parchment paper. While it can work as a replacement in some baking situations, it doesn't always have a non-stick coating, and the metal can break down and leach into your food when it comes into contact with acidic ingredients.

In addition to using parchment paper, you can also coat your fish with cooking spray or a bit of neutral-flavoured oil to further ensure it doesn't stick. If you're cooking breaded fish, you can also try coating the fish with a tablespoon of oil instead of spraying the breading with oil, as this can cause the breading to fall off.

Finally, make sure not to overcrowd your air fryer basket, as this can prevent the fish from crisping and can also result in undercooked or soggy fish.

What to serve with air fryer fish

Air fryer fish is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides and in a range of cuisines. Here are some ideas for what to serve with air fryer fish:

Classic Fish and Chips

For a classic British meal, serve your air fryer fish with a portion of chips. You can make these in the oven or, for extra crispiness, in the air fryer. Tartar sauce and a wedge of lemon are the perfect condiments to complete the dish.

Salads and Wraps

Air fryer fish can be a great addition to a salad or wrap. Try adding it to a taco or a burger bun, or pairing it with salad ingredients like kale or zucchini fries. If you're after a more exotic flavour, why not try making air fryer fish tacos with a pineapple slaw?

Vegetables

There are lots of vegetables that go well with air fryer fish. You could try roasted green beans, kale chips, or herbed carrots. For a more substantial side, go for mashed potato cakes or baked potato wedges.

Other Sides

If you're looking for something a little different, you could try serving your air fryer fish with hush puppies, onion rings, or corn on the cob.

How to reheat air fryer fish

Step 1: Preparing the Fish

Gently pat dry any leftover fish using paper towels to remove excess moisture that could lead to sogginess during reheating. If you want to enhance the crispy texture, lightly brush or spray the fish with a small amount of oil.

Step 2: Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (180°C). Preheating ensures that the fish will cook evenly and develop a crispy exterior. Allow the air fryer to reach the set temperature before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3: Arranging the Fish

Lay the fish fillets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them to ensure proper air circulation. If you're reheating a larger quantity, consider doing it in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can affect crispiness.

Step 4: Reheating Process

Place the basket with the fish into the preheated air fryer and set the timer for a short duration, typically around 3-5 minutes. The exact time may vary based on your air fryer's model and the thickness of the fillets. The goal is to reheat without overcooking.

Step 5: Monitoring and Flipping

Keep a close eye on the fish to prevent overcooking or burning. If your air fryer doesn't have an auto-rotate feature, consider flipping the fillets halfway through the reheating time to ensure even crispness on both sides.

Step 6: Testing for Crispiness

After the reheating time is up, carefully remove one fillet and test its texture. The exterior should be golden-brown and crispy, while the interior should remain flaky and tender. If the crispiness isn't to your liking, return the fish to the air fryer for an additional minute or two.

Step 7: Serving and Enjoying

Once the fish is reheated to perfection, serve it immediately with your favourite sides, sauces, or salads. Remember, reheated fish is best enjoyed right after cooking.

Frequently asked questions