Air-Fryer Fish Fingers: Quick, Crispy, Golden Treat

Fish fingers are a family favourite and can be cooked in an air fryer in under 10 minutes. They are healthier than traditional frying methods, as they require less oil, and are quicker than the grill or oven. You can cook frozen fish fingers straight from the freezer, without defrosting them first, and they will be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in ensuring your fish fingers don't turn out soggy. While some air fryers have a pre-heat function, others do not, so you may need to manually preheat your air fryer by running it empty for a few minutes. The ideal temperature for preheating your air fryer is around 190–200°C (375–400°F).

How long you preheat your air fryer for can vary depending on the make and wattage of your air fryer, but generally, 3–5 minutes should be enough time to ensure your fish fingers don't get soggy. If your air fryer doesn't have a pre-heat function, you can simply add two minutes to the cooking time instead of preheating.

It's important to note that the temperature you preheat your air fryer to may not be the same temperature you cook your fish fingers at. After preheating, you should set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for cooking the fish fingers.

When placing the fish fingers in the air fryer, be sure to leave space between them so that air can circulate freely. This will help ensure that the fish fingers cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.

Arrange the fish fingers in the basket

When arranging the fish fingers in the air fryer basket, it is important to leave space between them. This allows the hot air to circulate freely around the fish fingers, cooking them evenly and ensuring they become crispy on all sides. If you stack them, they will turn out soggy.

To ensure even cooking and crispiness, the fish fingers should be arranged in a single layer in the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook the fish fingers in batches to avoid overcrowding. For example, if you have a Cosori 5.7L XL air fryer, you can fit 12 fish fingers in the basket without overcrowding.

It is also important not to let the fish fingers thaw before cooking. If you allow them to thaw, the breading will become wet, and they will not cook correctly in the air fryer. Place the frozen fish fingers straight from the freezer into the air fryer basket.

Additionally, flipping the fish fingers halfway through the cooking time will help ensure they crisp up on both sides. This is especially important if you are cooking thicker or larger fish fingers, as they may require a longer cooking time.

Cook for 8-12 minutes

Now it's time to cook the fish fingers! Depending on the make and model of your air fryer, you should set the temperature to somewhere between 190°C and 200°C (375°F and 400°F). It's important to ensure the air fryer is at the right temperature to avoid sogginess. Some air fryers may need to be preheated for 3 to 5 minutes, but check your model's instructions. Once the air fryer is up to temperature, place the fish fingers in the basket, ensuring they are not stacked or overlapping. Leaving space between the fish fingers will allow the hot air to circulate, cooking them evenly and giving them a nice, crispy texture. Depending on the thickness of the fish fingers and how crispy you like them, they will need to cook for 8 to 12 minutes. Flip the fish fingers halfway through the cooking time to ensure they crisp up on both sides.

If you're unsure whether the fish fingers are cooked, you can always cut one open to check. The inside should not be cold, and the fish should flake easily. If you have a food thermometer, the internal temperature of the fish fingers should be at least 63°C. Once cooked, remove the fish fingers from the air fryer and serve immediately. Fish fingers are best enjoyed straight after cooking, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Flip halfway through

Flipping the fish fingers halfway through the cooking time is crucial to achieving that perfect, even crisp on both sides. Depending on your desired level of crispiness, you can flip them after around 4 minutes of cooking time, and then cook for another 4 minutes. This will ensure that your fish fingers are crispy and golden on the outside, while still being tender and flaky on the inside.

It is important to remember not to overcrowd the air fryer basket and to leave some space between each fish finger. This allows the hot air to circulate freely, cooking the fish fingers evenly and preventing sogginess. If you stack or overlap the fish fingers, they will not cook evenly and may turn out soggy.

Additionally, flipping the fish fingers halfway through ensures that they cook evenly on all sides. This is especially important if you are cooking a larger batch of fish fingers or if your air fryer model has hot spots or varying temperatures. By flipping them over, you can ensure that both sides of the fish fingers are exposed to the hot air, resulting in a more uniform cook.

For thicker or larger fish fingers, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly. It is always a good idea to keep an eye on them and check their progress, as you can open the air fryer without affecting the cooking process. This way, you can ensure that your fish fingers are cooked to your desired level of crispiness and doneness.

So, flipping halfway through is a key step in ensuring your air-fried fish fingers are crispy, evenly cooked, and delicious!

Serve with tartar sauce

Fish fingers cooked in an air fryer can be served with tartar sauce. Tartar sauce is a great accompaniment to fish fingers, especially when they are cooked to crispy perfection in the air fryer. The sauce adds a tangy and creamy dimension to the crispy, tender fish.

You can make your own tartar sauce at home with a few simple ingredients. All you need is mayonnaise, chopped pickles or gherkins, lemon juice, and some fresh herbs like dill or parsley. Simply mix these together, adjust to your taste preferences, and serve it alongside your air-fried fish fingers.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add some extra ingredients to your tartar sauce to make it more robust and flavourful. For example, you could add some capers, chopped red onions, a pinch of paprika, or even a dash of hot sauce.

For a simple and classic pairing, serve your air-fried fish fingers with a generous portion of tartar sauce on the side. This combination makes for a delicious and quick meal, perfect for a busy weeknight or a lazy weekend lunch. Don't forget to enjoy those crispy, tender fish fingers straight out of the air fryer while they're at their absolute best!

Frequently asked questions