Air Fryer Fish Fillets: How Long Do They Take?

Air fryers are a quick and healthy way to cook fish fillets, and the best part is that they can cook the fillets in under 20 minutes! The cooking time depends on the type of fish and the thickness of the fillets. For example, thinner fillets of white fish such as tilapia or cod will take around 10-12 minutes at 400°F, whereas thicker fillets like cod will take a minute or two longer. If you're using frozen fillets, they can go straight from the freezer to the air fryer, and will take around 12-15 minutes to cook.

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for fish fillets in an air fryer will depend on the type and thickness of the fish, as well as the model of your air fryer. As a general rule, thinner fillets will cook faster, while thicker fillets like cod will take a minute or two longer. White fish fillets, such as tilapia or cod, are commonly used for air fryer recipes.

Most recipes recommend cooking fish fillets in the air fryer for around 10-15 minutes at a temperature of 390°F (200°C). However, some recipes suggest a lower temperature of 370°F or 400°F (204°C). The fish is typically flipped halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

It's important to note that the air fryer basket should not be overcrowded, as this can prevent the fish from crisping properly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fish in batches. Additionally, it's recommended to spray the basket with oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent the fish from sticking.

For frozen fish fillets, the cooking time may be slightly longer, around 12-14 minutes at 370°F (187°C). The fish should be piping hot and cooked through, with a golden brown breading.

Fish fillet types

Fish fillets can be cooked in an air fryer in 10-15 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the type of fish, the thickness of the fillets, and the model of the air fryer. It is important to ensure that the fish is cooked through and easily flaked with a fork before serving.

There are many types of fish fillets that can be cooked in an air fryer, including:

• Cod
• Tilapia
• Catfish
• Pollock
• Hake
• Haddock
• Salmon

These fish fillets can be used in a variety of recipes, such as air fryer fish and chips, or served with tartar sauce and lemon wedges. The fillets can be breaded or plain, and can be cooked from fresh or frozen.

When cooking fish fillets in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the basket is not overcrowded, as this will prevent the fish from crisping evenly. It is also important to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of the fillets and the model of the air fryer.

Breading methods

There are several methods for breading fish fillets in preparation for air frying. The breading is what gives the fish its crispy texture. Here are some of the most common methods:

The Standard Breading Method

This involves three steps: dredging, dipping, and dredging again. First, you'll dredge the fish fillets in a flour mixture, which usually includes spices and seasonings. You can use regular flour or a gluten-free alternative like almond flour. Then, dip the fillets in whisked eggs, shaking off any excess. Finally, dredge the fish in breadcrumbs. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs, which have a larger surface area and produce a crispier result.

The Oil and Breadcrumbs Method

This method is simpler and does not use eggs or flour. Simply coat the fish fillets in oil, and then coat them in breadcrumbs. You can use olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil. This method is recommended by Little Sunny Kitchen, who notes that spraying oil over the breading before air frying can cause it to fall off.

The Crumb Coating Method

This method involves creating a loose and crumbly mixture of breadcrumbs and oil, without the use of eggs. Dip the fish fillets into this mixture to coat them evenly.

Once the fish fillets are breaded, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Depending on the thickness of the fillets and the model of your air fryer, they will typically cook at 390-400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Defrosting and preparation

Thawing Frozen Fish:

If you are using frozen fish fillets, it is essential to defrost them properly before cooking. The best way to do this is to leave the fish in the fridge overnight. This slow thawing process ensures the fish thaws evenly and safely. If you are short on time, you can submerge the fish in a bowl of ice-cold water for an hour until it is completely thawed. Remember, it is important to use the fish immediately after thawing via the water method.

For a truly time-saving option, you can cook frozen fish fillets directly from the freezer. This method yields fish with a meatier texture and a crisp breading on one side. However, the standard dredging process of coating the fish in flour and egg before breading does not work with frozen fillets, as the hard surface prevents the breading from sticking. Instead, coat the frozen fish with a thin layer of olive oil, which will act as a glue for your breadcrumbs.

Preparing the Fish:

Pat the fish fillets dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial, as it helps the coating adhere better to the fish. Season the fillets with salt and pepper or your desired spices.

Next, you have the option to coat the fillets in a thin layer of oil, which will help the breading stick. You can brush on the oil or use an olive oil mister. If you are not breading your fish, you can skip this step.

Breading the Fish:

Set up three shallow dishes for a standard flour-egg-breadcrumb breading process. In the first dish, place some flour with a pinch of salt and pepper. In the second dish, whisk an egg. In the third dish, mix your desired breadcrumbs with any additional spices you want. You can use regular or panko breadcrumbs, and season them with spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or thyme. For a gluten-free option, use almond flour and crushed cornflakes or gluten-free breadcrumbs instead.

Now, it's time to coat the fish! First, dredge the fish fillets in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them into the whisked egg, again removing any excess. Finally, coat the fish in the seasoned breadcrumbs. Make sure to press the breadcrumbs gently onto the fish to ensure they stick.

Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually for about 3 minutes.

Cooking the Fish:

After preparing the fish fillets, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Brush the air fryer basket with oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Place the breaded fish fillets in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap.

Cook the fish at 390°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes. Halfway through the cooking process, flip the fillets to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture on both sides. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness and type of fish you are using, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.

Your fish fillets are now ready to be served! Enjoy them with a squeeze of lemon, tartar sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Serving suggestions

Fish fillets cooked in an air fryer pair well with a variety of side dishes and sauces. Here are some serving suggestions:

Classic Fish and Chips

For a classic take on fish and chips, serve the air fryer fish fillets with crispy French fries and a side of tartar sauce or remoulade sauce. You can also add some lemon wedges to brighten up the dish.

Potato Options

If you're looking for potato options beyond French fries, consider making air fryer baked potatoes or crispy rosemary potato wedges to accompany the fish fillets.

Light and Healthy Options

For a lighter and healthier option, pair the fish fillets with roasted vegetables, air-fried peppers, or a salad. This can include air fryer asparagus and mushrooms, oven-baked potato wedges, or cheesy mashed potato cakes.

Dipping Sauces

In addition to tartar sauce and remoulade sauce, you can explore other dipping options such as aioli, garlic/lemon butter, soy-ginger sauce, sriracha mayo, nuoc mam (Vietnamese fish sauce), hot mustard, buttermilk ranch, blue cheese dip, or honey mustard sauce.

Creative Combinations

Get creative and serve the fish fillets in burger buns with your favourite burger toppings to create crispy fish burgers. You can also experiment with different types of bread and sauces to create unique sandwiches or fish sliders.

Other Side Dishes

If you're looking for more side dish options, consider air fryer garlic bread or German cucumber salad, which can complement the fish fillets nicely.

Remember, the beauty of air fryer fish fillets is their versatility. You can keep things simple with a classic approach or get creative with your favourite flavours and combinations. Enjoy experimenting and finding your perfect serving suggestions!

Frequently asked questions