Air-Fryer Fish Fillets: Perfect Timing For Crispy Results

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook fish fillets from frozen, with most recipes taking under 20 minutes. You can cook frozen fish fillets in an air fryer without defrosting them first, and they'll be ready to eat in less time than it takes to preheat an oven. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fillets and your air fryer, but most recipes suggest cooking fillets at around 350–390 °F/175–198 °C for 12–20 minutes.

How to cook fish fillets from frozen

Preparation

Before you begin, decide which type of fish you want to cook. White fish, such as cod, halibut, tilapia, haddock and pollock, are all good options for air frying. You can also choose to buy your fish fillets either breaded or unbreaded.

If you are using an unbreaded fillet, you will need to add some oil and seasoning to the fish. Olive oil or avocado oil are good options, and you can season the fish with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, lemon juice and/or parsley.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-390°F. If your air fryer doesn't have a grill pan, you can also use parchment paper to prevent the fish from sticking to the basket.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the frozen fish fillets inside, ensuring they don't overlap. If you are cooking breaded fish, there is no need to add oil. For unbreaded fish, you can either spray the fish with oil or rub it in by hand.

Cook the fish for 12-17 minutes, flipping the fillets after about 8 minutes if they are on the thicker side. The fish is done when it is flaky and has an internal temperature of 140-145°F.

Serving

Air-fried fish is best served immediately, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for 2-3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, place the fish back in the air fryer for a few minutes, being careful not to overcook it.

How to cook fish fillets from fresh

Preparation

To cook fish fillets from fresh, you'll first need to pat the fillets dry with a paper towel. Then, brush both sides of the fillets with either melted butter or olive oil, and add a drizzle of lemon juice.

Seasoning

In a small bowl, mix together your chosen seasonings. You can use lemon pepper, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and black pepper for a refreshing, savoury flavour. Generously season both sides of the fillets.

Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to 360°F/182°C. Grease the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray, and arrange the fish in an even layer, ensuring the fillets do not overlap. Close the basket and air fry for 6-14 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. You'll know the fish is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F/60-63°C.

Serving

Garnish your fish with herbs such as parsley, chives, or chervil, and serve with lemon slices. Air-fried fish is best enjoyed immediately, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Tips

• For the best results, use thawed fish. However, if you forget to thaw it, frozen fish will work too—just be sure to add extra cooking time.
• Don't overcrowd the basket. Arrange the fillets in a single layer with a bit of space between them, and work in batches if needed.
• Adjust the cooking time depending on the type of air fryer you use, whether your fish is frozen or thawed, and the thickness of the fillets.
• Check the fish frequently as it cooks to ensure it doesn't overcook.
• Different types of fish will cook slightly differently. For example, halibut is a dense, firm fish with a thicker texture, so it's prone to drying out when overcooked. Cod has a sweeter, milder taste, and tilapia is the thinnest and cooks the fastest.

How to reheat fish fillets

If you have leftover fish fillets, there are several ways to reheat them. Reheating fish can be tricky, and it dries out easily, so it is recommended not to heat the fish at a very high temperature. You can also wrap the fish or brush it with some additional oil to prevent it from drying out. Here are some ways to reheat your fish fillets:

• Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for 3 minutes. Wrap the fish fillets in aluminium foil and heat for around 5 minutes, or until warm. Fish can dry out fast in an air fryer, so be careful not to overcook.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Wrap the fish in aluminium foil or put them in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil. Heat for 7-9 minutes, or until warm.
• Cast-iron skillet: Preheat your cast-iron skillet to medium and add a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Brush the pan with the oil. Add the fish and let it warm through.
• Microwave: Put the fish in a microwave-safe dish and cover the dish. Heat for 2 minutes and check. If not warm, heat in 30-second bursts and check again.

What to serve with fish fillets

Fish fillets are versatile and can be paired with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas to serve with your air-fried fish fillet:

Vegetables

• Asparagus – Grilled asparagus is a great option to serve with fish fillets. The natural sugars in the asparagus caramelise when grilled, adding a hint of smokiness to the dish.
• Spinach – Spinach is a healthy option to pair with fish fillets. It can be sautéed or cooked in the air fryer.
• Broccoli – Steamed broccoli can be a light and healthy side dish to go with your fish fillets.
• Zucchini – Zucchini fritters or zucchini side dishes can complement the fish fillets well.
• Brussels sprouts – Roasted Brussels sprouts make a flavourful side dish with a lot of texture.

Salads

• Quinoa salad – Quinoa salad is a nutritious and flavourful option to serve with fish fillets. It is a hearty salad with a slightly nutty flavour and a variety of textures.
• Watermelon cucumber salad – This salad adds a fresh, summery note to the meal with its sweet and juicy watermelon and crisp, refreshing cucumber.
• Caesar salad – A classic Caesar salad with a rich, anchovy dressing is a beautiful pairing for fish fillets.
• Coleslaw – A refreshing, tangy, and crunchy side dish that goes well with fish fillets.

Starchy Sides

• Mashed potatoes – Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that pairs well with fish fillets.
• Parmesan potatoes – Potatoes roasted with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and herbs make a great pairing for fish fillets.
• Roasted chickpeas – Crispy, roasted chickpeas are a surprising but satisfying side dish.
• Pilau rice – This fragrant, spiced rice makes a comforting and hearty side to serve with fish fillets.
• Lemon rice – Lemon rice adds a burst of citrusy flavour to the meal and helps to cut through the richness of the fish fillets.

Other Sides

• Sautéed mushrooms – Mushrooms can be a great addition to a fish fillet meal, providing a savoury and earthy flavour.
• Tomatoes – Blistered tomatoes or cherry tomatoes are a great way to add a burst of bright, fresh flavour to the dish.
• Pineapple salsa – The mix of sweet pineapple, tangy lime juice, and spicy jalapenos can add a tropical touch to the meal.

What type of fish to use

When it comes to choosing a type of fish to cook in an air fryer, there are several options that work well.

First of all, it's worth noting that white fish is a good choice for air frying, as it is naturally very low in fat. Examples of white fish include cod, halibut, tilapia, haddock and pollock. These fish have a flaky texture and a mild flavour, and they cook quickly in an air fryer. For instance, tilapia is the thinnest and fastest-cooking of these varieties, yielding a delicate texture and taking on the flavour of seasonings.

Other types of fish can also be cooked in an air fryer, such as tuna and salmon.

When selecting a type of fish to cook in an air fryer, it's important to consider the thickness of the fillets, as this will affect the cooking time. Thicker fillets, such as halibut, will take longer to cook than thinner fillets like tilapia.

Additionally, some types of fish have more oil or fat in their breading, which can affect how they cook in the air fryer. For example, store-bought breaded fish often contains a lot of fat or oil in the breading, which can make them crispier without needing to add extra cooking spray.

In general, it's best to follow the specific instructions for the type of fish you are using, as cooking times and temperatures can vary.

Frequently asked questions