Air Fryer Frozen Fish Cakes: How Long To Cook?

Fish cakes are a delicious treat, and even better when cooked in an air fryer. But how long do they need? Well, it depends on the air fryer and the type of fish cake. Most sources suggest cooking frozen fish cakes in an air fryer for around 8-11 minutes at 180°C/360°F, flipping them halfway through. However, one source suggests cooking at 425º F for 10-15 minutes. So, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to cook fish cakes, an air fryer is a great option!

How long to cook frozen fish cakes in an air fryer?

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to cook frozen fish cakes, an air fryer is a great option. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 180°C or 360°F. This usually takes around 3 minutes.

Step 2: Place the Frozen Fish Cakes in the Air Fryer

Open the air fryer basket and place the frozen fish cakes inside. Make sure you don't stack them on top of each other.

Step 3: Cook for 4 Minutes

Once the air fryer has preheated, cook the fish cakes for 4 minutes at the same temperature setting.

Step 4: Flip and Cook for Another 4 Minutes

After the first 4 minutes, remove the fry basket and use a spoon to flip the fish cakes over. Put the basket back in the air fryer and cook for another 4 minutes.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

Your fish cakes should be golden brown and crispy after the second 4-minute interval. Check to make sure they're cooked to your liking, and if not, you can always add an extra minute or two.

Tips:

• You don't need to defrost frozen fish cakes before cooking them in an air fryer. They cook really well straight from frozen.
• It's best to flip the fish cakes halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning.
• You don't need to add any oil when cooking frozen fish cakes in an air fryer.
• The total cooking time may vary depending on the type of fish cake and your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

How to make fish cakes in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 10 ounces of fish (white fish such as grouper, catfish or cod, or imitation crab)
• ⅔ cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs
• 3 tablespoons of fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons of Thai sweet chilli sauce
• 2 tablespoons of canola mayonnaise
• ¼ teaspoon of ground pepper
• 1 egg
• Salt
• Cooking spray

Method

First, coat the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine the fish, panko, cilantro, chilli sauce, mayonnaise, egg, salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.

Shape the mixture into four 3-inch-diameter cakes. Coat the cakes with cooking spray and place them in the prepared basket.

Cook at 400°F for 9 to 10 minutes, or until the cakes are browned and their internal temperature reaches 140°F.

Serve with lime wedges.

Tips

• If you don't have Thai sweet chilli sauce, you can combine honey and Sriracha or honey and crushed red pepper as a substitute.
• For extra crispiness, shake the basket halfway through cooking to prevent sticking.
• You can prepare the fish cakes in advance and let them chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up before air frying.

Variations

This recipe can be adapted to use different types of fish. For example, you can use raw fish or canned fish such as tuna, salmon or crab. You can also experiment with different seasonings and ingredients to create your own unique spin on fish cakes.

Sides and Dips

These fish cakes can be served as an appetiser with a dip such as tartar sauce, mango salsa, lemon aioli, tzatziki or green goddess sauce.

They also work well as a main dish, paired with sides like zoodle salad, cucumber snap pea salad, spicy fries, cast iron potatoes, or sweet potato au gratin.

What temperature to cook frozen fish cakes in an air fryer?

To cook frozen fish cakes in an air fryer, it is recommended that you preheat your air fryer to 180°C or 360°F. This should take around 3 minutes. Once preheated, place the frozen fish cakes into the basket of the air fryer, ensuring they are not stacked on top of each other.

Cooking time will vary depending on the air fryer and type of fish cake. Some sources suggest cooking for 11 minutes, checking the progress as you near the end of the cooking time. You may find that 9-10 minutes is sufficient. Other sources suggest cooking for 4 minutes, flipping the fish cakes with a spoon, and then cooking for another 4 minutes. This will give you a total cooking time of 8-10 minutes.

Regardless of the total cooking time, it is important to shake the basket or flip the fish cakes halfway through to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.

Can you cook frozen fish cakes in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen fish cakes in an air fryer. In fact, cooking fish cakes in an air fryer is considered the best way to get a crispy texture without the mess and calories of traditional frying methods.

To cook frozen fish cakes in an air fryer, first, preheat your air fryer to 180°C or 360°F. This usually takes around 3 minutes. Then, place your frozen fish cakes into the basket of the air fryer, ensuring they are not stacked on top of each other.

Cooking time varies depending on the source. Some suggest cooking for a total of 8 minutes, turning the fish cakes halfway through. Others recommend a total cooking time of 9-11 minutes, checking on the progress as you near the end of cooking. This may depend on the type of air fryer and fish cakes being used.

You do not need to add oil when cooking frozen fish cakes in an air fryer. Simply place the frozen fish cakes in the basket and cook until golden brown and crispy.

Air-fried fish cakes are considered a healthier alternative to deep-fried options, as air frying uses circulating hot air to cook food without the need for added fat or oil.

Are frozen fish cakes healthy?

Fish cakes are a tasty treat, but are frozen fish cakes healthy? Well, it depends on the ingredients and how they are cooked.

Frozen fish cakes are a convenient way to get your recommended two fish meals a week. Seafood is a good source of protein, iodine, and selenium, and it is often very low in fat. Oily fish, such as salmon, rainbow trout, herring, and sardines, are the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease.

However, when it comes to frozen fish cakes, the amount of fish and the addition of other ingredients can affect their nutritional value. Fish cakes typically contain fish and potato or other vegetables, which are then encased in a crumb mix. While this is fine for a fish cake, it is important to know that you are getting fewer nutrients from the fish. For example, Bird's Eye Salmon Cakes with Vegetables only contain 25% fish, with 25% vegetables, and the remaining 50% being the outer crumb.

Some frozen fish cakes may also contain extras such as cheese, vegetable oil, breadcrumbs, and seasoning, which can add extra calories, fat, and sodium to your meal. For instance, a breaded and battered fish product like President's Choice Lightly Breaded North Atlantic Sole Fillets contain 275 calories and 16 grams of fat, compared to 132 calories and 0.7 grams of fat in unbreaded fish.

To make a healthier choice, look for frozen fish cakes with a higher percentage of fish (at least 50% or more) and lower amounts of added fats, especially saturated fat. Choose products with 10g total fat or less and 1.5g saturated fat or less per 100g. Also, be mindful of the sodium content, as some frozen fish cakes can be high in sodium, especially if they are smoked. For everyday use, choose products with 350mg of sodium per 100g or less.

If you are looking for a healthier alternative to deep-fried fish cakes, consider using an air fryer. Air-frying fish cakes lowers the amount of fat in the dish compared to traditional frying methods. Additionally, using whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs instead of white flour breadcrumbs can boost the fiber content of your fish cakes.

In summary, while frozen fish cakes can be a convenient and tasty option, it is important to read the ingredient list and nutrition facts to make sure you are getting a product that aligns with your health goals.

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