Tillie Doyle
Fish cakes are a staple in a variety of cultures across the world, and they are usually deep-fried. However, air fryers have become a popular alternative to frying as they require minimal oil, are healthier, and produce the same golden brown and crispy finish. Fish cakes can be made with a variety of ingredients, including different types of fish, crab, and potato, and can be served with a range of sauces and sides. They are a quick, easy, and versatile dish that can be made from scratch or bought frozen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of fish | Any readily available fish will do, including cod, haddock, whiting, salmon, crab meat, or even canned tuna. |
| Other ingredients | Cilantro, sweet chili sauce, mayonnaise, eggs, salt, pepper, lime wedges, lemon juice, breadcrumbs, potatoes, sour cream, chives, etc. |
| Temperature | 350–425°F. |
| Time | 9–20 minutes, depending on the air fryer and type of fish cake. |
| Colour | Golden brown. |
| Texture | Crispy on the outside, juicy and light on the inside. |
| Calories | Low. |
| Oil | Minimal. |
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What You'll Learn
Fish cake ingredients
Fish cakes are traditionally made with fish and potatoes, but there are many variations to the recipe. Crab cakes, for instance, do not contain potatoes. Instead, they are made with crab meat, eggs, mayonnaise, breadcrumbs, and seasonings.
If you are making classic fish cakes, you can use any type of fish, including white fish, cod, haddock, whiting, salmon, or even canned tuna, salmon, or crab. You can also choose to use either raw or cooked fish. For the potato component, you can use either mashed potatoes or potato flakes.
To make the fish cakes, combine the fish with the potatoes, as well as other ingredients such as sour cream, chives, salt, pepper, and eggs. You can also add in some breadcrumbs for texture and bulk. Form the mixture into cakes and coat them with breadcrumbs or potato flakes. Chill the fish cakes for at least 30 minutes before cooking to help them firm up and prevent them from falling apart.
You can also add in some additional ingredients to enhance the flavor and texture of your fish cakes. For example, you can add in some mayonnaise, egg, and sweet chili sauce to make the mixture richer and tangier. A squeeze of lemon or lime juice can also add a nice tangy kick to the fish cakes.
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Air fryer temperature and timing
The temperature and timing for cooking fish cakes in an air fryer depend on whether the fish cakes are frozen or freshly prepared.
If you are cooking frozen fish cakes, preheat your air fryer to 180°C/360°F. Place the frozen fish cakes into the basket, ensuring they are not stacked on top of each other, and cook for 8 to 11 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, remove the basket and flip the fish cakes with a spoon. The fish cakes are ready when they are golden brown and crispy.
For freshly prepared fish cakes, preheat your air fryer to between 375°F and 425°F. Place the chilled fish cakes in the wire basket and cook for 9 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and heated through.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer model and the type of fish cake. Thinner cakes will cook faster, and it is recommended to cook the fish cakes in batches to ensure even cooking.
Additionally, some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer to 400°F and cooking the fish cakes for a total of 9 to 10 minutes, or until they are browned and their internal temperature reaches 140°F.
For reheating, set the air fryer to 350°F and heat the fish cakes for about 5 to 8 minutes, or until they are warmed through.
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Fish cake assembly
Fish cakes are a versatile dish with variations in different cultures across the world. They are usually made with fish and potatoes, but crab cakes, for instance, do not contain potatoes. Fish cakes can be made with any type of fish, including white fish, salmon, crab, or even canned tuna.
To make fish cakes, start by cooking the potatoes and mashing them. Then, add the mashed potatoes to a large bowl with sour cream, salt, pepper, chives, and eggs. Flake the fish and add it to the bowl, combining all the ingredients.
Next, place the panko breadcrumbs in a separate shallow bowl. Using your hands, form the fish mixture into cakes and pat each cake in the panko. Make sure to gently pat the fish cakes to coat them on all sides. Then, arrange the fish cakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and allow them to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
You can also shape the fish cakes with wet hands to prevent the mixture from sticking to them. This will also help the cakes firm up before air-frying and prevent them from falling apart. Consider making smaller fish cakes to serve as bite-sized appetizers with your favourite dipping sauce. Thinner cakes will also cook faster.
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Air fryer preparation
To make fish cakes in an air fryer, you will first need to prepare the fish cakes themselves. Many recipes suggest using white fish, such as cod, haddock, whiting, or even non-white fish like salmon. Crab meat is also a popular choice. You can use either raw or cooked fish, and some recipes suggest adding mashed potatoes, eggs, and seasonings. Crab cakes, for example, often contain crab meat, eggs, mayonnaise, breadcrumbs, and seasonings.
Once you have your ingredients, combine them in a large bowl and shape the mixture into patties or cakes. Some recipes recommend coating the cakes with cooking spray or breadcrumbs at this stage. It is important to chill the fish cakes for at least 30 minutes before cooking to help them firm up and prevent them from falling apart.
When you are ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to between 360°F and 425°F. Grease the basket with non-aerosol cooking oil spray or line it with parchment paper to avoid a messy cleanup. Place the chilled fish cakes in the basket, ensuring they are not stacked or touching.
Cooking time varies depending on the recipe and the number of fish cakes, but generally, they will need to cook for 9 to 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The fish cakes are ready when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and heated through on the inside.
Air-fried fish cakes are a healthier alternative to deep-fried fish cakes, as they are cooked using circulating hot air with minimal or no oil required. They are a quick, easy, and versatile dish that can be served as a standalone meal or with sides such as salad, rice, or green vegetables.
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Serving suggestions
Fish cakes are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to accompany your air-fried fish cakes:
As a Main Course
Fish cakes can be served as a main course with a simple side salad or rice. They also go well with beef tallow French fries or sweet potato fries, creating a modern twist on the classic British "fish and chips."
As an Appetizer
For a bite-sized option, consider making smaller fish cakes to serve as appetizers or starters. These can be served with a variety of dipping sauces such as tartar sauce, lemon aioli, tzatziki, sour cream and dill dip, or a simple combination of mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce.
As Part of a Larger Meal
To turn these cakes into a heartier meal, serve them with some addictively delicious sweet potato wedges, Cajun fries, or mashed potatoes. For a more Asian-inspired meal, pair the fish cakes with a sesame cucumber salad and pork chops.
Sides and Toppings
Fish cakes also pair well with green vegetables like green beans, asparagus, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. For an extra kick of flavor, top your fish cakes with a squeeze of lime or lemon wedges.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover fish cakes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or frozen for up to four months. To reheat, simply place them in the air fryer set to 350°F for about 5 to 8 minutes, or until warmed through.
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Frequently asked questions
To cook fish cakes in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 360°F or 400°F. Place the fish cakes in the basket, ensuring they are not stacked on top of each other. Spritz the cakes with cooking spray and place the basket in the air fryer. Cook for 9 to 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
The cooking time for fish cakes in an air fryer can vary depending on the recipe and the type of fish used. On average, it takes around 9 to 15 minutes to cook fish cakes in an air fryer.
The ideal temperature for cooking fish cakes in an air fryer is between 360°F and 400°F.
Yes, you can cook frozen fish cakes in an air fryer. There is no need to add oil or defrost them beforehand. Simply place the frozen fish cakes in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 to 10 minutes at 360°F until they are golden brown and crispy.
