Air-Fried Fish: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Air fryers are a great way to cook fish, yielding a crispy, golden exterior and a soft, flaky interior. The method is healthier than deep-frying, requiring very little oil, and it's also quicker and easier. You can use any kind of fish fillets, from cod and tilapia to catfish and pollock, and the process is simple: coat the fillets in a mixture of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, then cook in the air fryer for around 10-15 minutes.

How to make crispy fish in the air fryer

Ingredients

• Any type of fish fillets (fresh or frozen)
• Oil (for misting)
• Breadcrumbs
• Lemon wedges, tartar sauce, and hot sauce to serve

Optional Ingredients

• Flour
• Egg
• Spices (e.g. onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, Italian seasoning)
• Parchment paper

Method

• If using frozen fish, ensure that it is fully defrosted before cooking.
• Pat the fish fillets dry with a paper towel. They should still be slightly damp.
• Season the fillets with salt and pepper, and any other spices you desire.
• If you are using flour, dip the fish fillets into it, coating both sides.
• Dip the fillets into a beaten egg.
• Dip the fillets into a bowl of breadcrumbs, coating both sides.
• Grease the bottom of your air fryer basket.
• Place the fillets into the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded.
• Cook at 390°F (199°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, and hot sauce.

Tips

• You can use any type of fish, but firmer, mild white fish work particularly well.
• If you want to ensure the breading sticks, you can place the breaded fish in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before frying.
• You can also line the basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• If you don't have breadcrumbs, you can use crushed cornflakes instead.

What kind of fish can you make in the air fryer?

There are many different types of fish you can cook in an air fryer, and it's a great way to make fried fish healthier, as it requires very little oil.

You can use any kind of fish fillets in an air fryer, but it's best to avoid oily fish like tuna or swordfish. Some of the best fish to use are mild white fish, such as cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, hake, haddock, whiting, halibut, or even salmon. These fish have a tender texture and a mild flavour, and they hold up well in the frying process.

You can also experiment with other types of fish, such as walleye, skate, rockfish, or albacore. If you're using thinner fish, like whiting or flounder, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

For a traditional fish and chips recipe, you can use cod or haddock fillets, which are commonly used and work well in the air fryer.

How to keep fish from sticking in the air fryer

To prevent fish from sticking to your air fryer, it is recommended to use parchment paper. However, it is important to ensure that the parchment paper is air fryer-safe, as plain parchment paper may prevent the warm air from circulating and cooking your food properly. You can buy pre-cut air fryer-safe parchment paper online, or make your own by cutting regular parchment paper to the size of your air fryer basket and poking a series of holes in it.

Another way to prevent fish from sticking is to brush the air fryer basket with oil before adding the fish. However, it is advised to avoid using non-stick cooking sprays like Pam, as these can damage the non-stick surface over time.

Additionally, it is important to ensure that your air fryer basket is not overcrowded, as this can create steam and affect the crispiness of the fish.

How long does fish take to cook in the air fryer?

The cooking time for fish in an air fryer depends on the type and thickness of the fish, as well as the model of the air fryer. For example, thinner types of fish such as whiting or flounder will take less time to cook than thicker types of fish such as tuna or swordfish.

As a general rule, breaded fish fillets cooked at 390°F (199°C) will take around 12-15 minutes to cook. The fish is ready when it can be easily flaked with a fork. It's important to note that you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the type of fish and the specific model of your air fryer.

For example, one recipe suggests cooking cod at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the fish is golden and flakes easily with a fork. Another recipe recommends cooking cod or haddock fillets cut into strips at 380°F for a total of 10 minutes, flipping the fish halfway through.

It's also important to ensure that your air fryer basket is not overcrowded, as this can prevent the fish from crisping properly.

How to store and reheat air-fryer fish

Storing and reheating your air-fried fish is a simple process that will ensure your food stays tasty and crispy.

Storing Air-Fried Fish

If you have any leftover fish, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure the fish is completely cooled down before sealing and placing it in the fridge.

Reheating Air-Fried Fish

The air fryer is the best way to reheat your fish, as it will maintain the crispy texture without drying out the fish.

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (180-200°C).
• Place the fish in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece.
• Reheat for 3-5 minutes, or until the fish is heated through.
• Flip the fish halfway through to ensure even heating and crispiness on both sides.
• For frozen fish, increase the reheating time to 6-7 minutes, flipping the fish after 4 minutes.
• For a drier coating, spritz the fish with cooking oil before reheating.
• You can also add a drizzle of melted butter or a squeeze of lemon juice before reheating for extra moisture and flavor.

Your leftover fish will now be crispy, evenly heated, and delicious!

Frequently asked questions