Air-Fryer Magic: Frozen Fish, Perfectly Cooked

Cooking frozen fish in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. It's a convenient method that doesn't require any additional oil or deep frying, resulting in a crispy and perfectly cooked dish. By placing the frozen fillets directly into the air fryer basket, you can have a tasty meal ready in under 15 minutes. This guide will teach you how to cook frozen fish in an air fryer, achieving the perfect texture and flavour every time.

Cooking times and temperatures for different types of fish

The cooking time and temperature for frozen fish in an air fryer depend on the type and thickness of the fish fillets. The FDA recommends an internal temperature of 145 °F for cooked fish. However, some sources state that the internal temperature should reach at least 160 °F (72 °C).

• Cod: 11-13 minutes at 380 °F (200 °C).
• Haddock: 12-15 minutes at 400 °F (200 °C).
• Halibut: 12-14 minutes at 400 °F (200 °C).
• Rockfish: 8-10 minutes at 380 °F (200 °C).
• Salmon: The exact cooking time and temperature are not provided, but it is mentioned that you can get crispy skin.
• Tilapia: 12-14 minutes at 400 °F (200 °C).
• Sockeye: 13-15 minutes at 400 °F (200 °C).

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fish fillets and the desired level of crispiness. For breaded fish fillets, it typically takes about 12-15 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 400 °F (200 °C).

How to get crispy fish without it sticking to the air fryer

To get crispy fish without it sticking to the air fryer, there are several steps you can take. Firstly, ensure that your fish fillets are not too thin, as thin strips will not work well in the air fryer. If your fillets are long, cut them in half or into thirds, as this will make them easier to flip and result in crispier edges. It is also important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space around the fillets to allow the hot air to circulate, which helps to crisp up the fish.

Before adding the fish to the air fryer, spray the basket generously with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. You can also brush the fish with olive oil before placing it in the basket. If your fish is frozen, you can skip the defrosting step and place it directly into the air fryer. However, if your fish has an ice glaze, it is recommended to pat it dry with paper towels before adding any seasonings or coatings.

During cooking, you can open the basket and spray the fish with oil halfway through, which will increase crispiness. Make sure the fish is fully coated with oil and that any seasonings are fully covered, with no flour spots showing. This will ensure an even, golden colour.

Finally, allow the fish to rest in the air fryer for about a minute before removing it. This will help ensure that your fish is crispy and cooked through without sticking to the air fryer.

How to serve your fish, including sauce and side recommendations

There are many ways to serve your air-fried fish, and you can get creative with sauces and side dishes.

For a classic take on fish and chips, serve your air-fried fish with tartar sauce and lemon wedges. You can also add a spicy kick to your tartar sauce by adding hot sauce. For a healthier version of fish and chips, you can serve your fish with oven-baked chips, or fries, cooked in the air fryer.

For sides, you could try garden vegetable rice and asparagus, or a fresh, crisp salad. If you want to keep it simple, a slice of lemon and perhaps some garlic butter is a great way to serve your fish.

If you are cooking salmon, you can serve it with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and green beans. You could also try a salsa verde or a fresh herb sauce with your salmon.

For a more indulgent side, you could make some crispy, crunchy onion rings in the air fryer to accompany your fish.

Whether to defrost the fish before cooking

The beauty of using an air fryer is that you can cook food straight from frozen, and it actually gives a better result than defrosting first. You don't need to defrost the frozen fish fillet first – it basically goes straight from the freezer to the air fryer basket, with just a short stop to get a nice coating of breadcrumbs and seasonings. The fish defrosts and cooks through while the breading crisps up, resulting in perfect fish fillets with minimal effort.

The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fish fillets. The standard process of dredging the fish in eggs and breadcrumbs doesn’t work with frozen fillets since the hard surface doesn’t give the breading anything to stick to. Instead, start by coating the fish with a thin layer of olive oil — you can brush it on or use an olive oil mister. Then, spoon one tablespoon of seasoned panko breadcrumbs over the top of each fillet, covering as much of the fish as you can. Press gently to help the breading stick.

When cooking fish from frozen, some recipes will advise you to rinse off any ice crystals or ice glaze from the fish. However, this can result in fish that has a more waterlogged texture once it’s done cooking. For the best texture, don’t bother rinsing off the icy exterior — place it directly into the air fryer basket in its frozen state. Be sure to spray the inside of your air fryer basket generously with cooking spray before beginning to cook or your fish will stick.

If you are cooking defrosted fillets, the usual advice is to brush the fillets with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then cook per species times/temperatures. For example, COHO or SOCKEYE: 13 to 15 minutes (120F to 125F internal temp.) or ROCKFISH: 8 to 10 minutes (130F internal temp.).

How to coat the fish in breadcrumbs

To coat the fish in breadcrumbs, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, prepare three shallow dishes, one for flour, one for beaten egg, and another for breadcrumbs. You can season the breadcrumbs with parmesan, herbs, salt, and pepper, or simply use seasoned panko breadcrumbs.

Next, dip each piece of fish first in the flour, then in the egg. Ensure you let the excess egg drip off before moving on to the next step.

Finally, turn the fish to coat both sides with breadcrumbs. You can also spoon the breadcrumbs over the fish, pressing gently to help the breading stick.

If you are using frozen fish, you can simply coat the fish with a thin layer of olive oil before applying the breadcrumbs. The oil will act as a glue for the breadcrumbs to stick to.

Frequently asked questions