Air Fryer Fish: Crispy, Quick, And Easy?

Air fryers are a great way to cook fish, yielding crispy and golden results without the need for deep frying and excessive oil. The air fryer's ability to circulate hot air evenly around the food means that fish fillets can be cooked quickly and with minimal oil, resulting in a crispy texture. This method is suitable for a variety of fish types, including cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, hake, haddock, and salmon. The process is simple: pat the fillets dry, season, coat in breadcrumbs, and air fry for around 10-15 minutes. The result is a delicious, healthy meal that can be served with a range of sides and sauces.

Air fryer fish: a healthier alternative to deep-fried fish

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep-frying, allowing you to enjoy crispy, golden fish without the grease. With an air fryer, you can achieve that coveted crunch with minimal or no oil.

Air fryers use a fan to circulate hot air evenly around the food, cooking it quickly and efficiently. This method of cooking is not only healthier but also reduces the mess of a traditional fry-up.

Most types of fish fillets can be cooked in an air fryer, but the recipe works best with moderately thin, white, and flaky fish such as cod, tilapia, haddock, pollock, or mahi-mahi. Thicker fillets like tuna or swordfish may take longer to cook.

How to make air fryer fish

• Start by thawing frozen fish, if needed, and patting it dry with paper towels.
• Cut the fish into strips or fillets.
• Season the fish with salt and pepper, or a fish seasoning blend of your choice.
• Dip the fish in flour, then egg (the egg helps the coating stick), and finally, breadcrumbs. You can use regular or panko breadcrumbs for a super crispy texture.
• Place the coated fish in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure the pieces are not touching. Spray with oil.
• Air fry at 380-400°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping the fish halfway through. The fish is ready when it's golden brown and flakes easily with a fork.

Tips for crispy fish

• Preheat your air fryer. This ensures even cooking and helps achieve that desired crispiness.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between the pieces to ensure proper air circulation.
• Spray with oil halfway through cooking to increase crispiness.
• Serve immediately. Like all fried foods, air-fried fish is best enjoyed straight out of the fryer!

What to serve with air fryer fish

Air fryer fish goes well with:

• Fries or potato wedges
• Tartar sauce and lemon wedges
• Mushy peas
• Roasted Brussels sprouts
• Green beans

How to make crispy fish in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Fish fillets (such as cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, hake, haddock, whiting, or salmon)
• Oil (for misting or brushing)
• Breadcrumbs (Italian or plain)
• Spices (onion and garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, black pepper, salt, etc.)
• Flour (optional)
• Egg (optional)

Method

• Start by thawing frozen fish, if needed, then pat the fillets dry with paper towels. The fillets should still be damp.
• Season the fish with a mix of your chosen spices. You can do this by placing the fillets in a sealable bag with the seasoning and shaking until they are fully covered. Alternatively, you can coat the fillets in flour and then dip them in egg before moving on to the next step.
• Coat the fillets in breadcrumbs. Make sure they are well-coated and remove any excess.
• Grease the bottom of your air fryer basket and place the fillets inside, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space between them.
• Spray or brush both sides of the fillets with oil.
• Cook the fish in the air fryer at between 380-400°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The fish is ready when it is golden brown and crispy.
• Serve immediately with your choice of sides and sauces, such as tartar sauce, lemon wedges, or hot sauce.

The best types of fish to cook in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook fish, giving it a crispy, golden texture without the need for deep frying in oil. You can use almost any type of fish fillet in an air fryer, but some types are better suited than others. Here are some of the best types of fish to cook in an air fryer:

Cod

Cod is a popular choice for air fryer fish recipes. It is a white, flaky fish that cooks up nicely in the air fryer, giving it a crispy texture. Cod fillets can be cut into strips and coated in breadcrumbs before being cooked in the air fryer.

Tilapia

Tilapia is another type of white fish that works well in the air fryer. It is a mild-flavoured fish with a firm texture, making it a good choice for those who are new to cooking fish. Tilapia fillets can be seasoned with simple spices such as garlic powder and lemon pepper or more adventurous spices such as curry powder or cayenne pepper.

Catfish

Catfish is a great choice for those who want a more traditional fish fry experience. It has a firm texture and a mild flavour that goes well with a variety of seasonings. When making fried catfish in the air fryer, it is recommended to soak the fillets in milk before coating them in breadcrumbs or cornmeal.

Haddock

Haddock is another type of white, flaky fish that is similar to cod. It cooks up nicely in the air fryer and can be used in a variety of recipes, such as fish and chips or fish tacos.

Pollock

Pollock is a good choice for those who want a moderately thin fish fillet that cooks up quickly in the air fryer. It has a mild flavour and a flaky texture, making it a versatile choice for a variety of recipes.

When cooking fish in an air fryer, it is important to thaw the fish first (if frozen) and pat it dry. Cut the fish into strips or fillets, then coat it in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs or cornmeal. Spray the fish with cooking oil and cook in the air fryer at around 380-400°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges for a delicious and healthy meal.

Reheating fish in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great option for reheating fish as they can mimic the effects of deep frying while using significantly less oil. They also heat up quickly and cook food evenly, so you don't have to worry about your fish becoming soggy or unevenly reheated.

Best Types of Fish to Reheat in an Air Fryer

Not all types of fish are suitable for reheating, even in an air fryer. Thicker and flakier varieties tend to hold up better during the reheating process. Here are some good options:

• Salmon
• Trout
• Cod
• Haddock

Avoid reheating delicate fish such as sole or flounder, as they are more prone to overcooking and becoming dry.

Steps to Reheat Fish in an Air Fryer:

Step 1: Preparing the Fish

Start by gently patting dry the leftover fish with paper towels to remove any excess moisture that could lead to sogginess during reheating. If desired, you can lightly brush or spray the fish with a small amount of oil to enhance its crispy texture.

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 texture.

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

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 model and the thickness of the fillets. The goal is to reheat the fish without overcooking it.

Step 5: Monitoring and Flipping

Keep a close eye on the fish to prevent overcooking or burning. If your air fryer doesn't automatically rotate the food, consider flipping the fillets halfway through the reheating time to ensure even crispiness 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 you're not satisfied with the crispiness, you can return the fish to the air fryer for an additional minute or two.

Step 7: Serving

Once the fish is reheated to perfection, serve it immediately. Pair it with your favorite sides, sauces, or salads for a complete meal. Remember that reheated fish is best enjoyed right after cooking.

What to serve with air-fried fish

Air fryers are a great way to cook fish, giving it a crispy texture without the need for deep frying. But what should you serve with air-fried fish? Here are some ideas:

Sides

A variety of sides go well with air-fried fish, including:

• Fries or potato wedges
• Mashed potato cakes
• Baked potatoes
• Rice
• Salad
• Steamed vegetables
• Mushrooms
• Coleslaw
• Hush puppies
• Greek lemon potatoes

Sauces

To add some extra flavour to your dish, you could also serve your air-fried fish with a choice of sauces, such as:

• Tartar sauce
• Lemon wedges
• Hot sauce
• Remoulade sauce
• Cocktail sauce

Frequently asked questions