Air Fryer Fish: Frozen Fillets, Perfect Timing

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen fish fillets. The process is simple: coat the air fryer basket with oil, place the frozen fillets inside, add another coat of oil, and then cook for around 10–14 minutes, depending on the air fryer model. The result is a quick, easy, and healthy meal that can be paired with a variety of sides and sauces.

No need to defrost

To get started, place your frozen fish fillets in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren't overlapping. Brush or spray the fillets with a thin layer of olive oil, which will act as a "glue" for your breadcrumbs and seasonings to stick to. You can also add salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs to taste.

Once your fish fillets are coated, place them in the air fryer and cook for 12-14 minutes at 370-390°F, or until piping hot and golden brown. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fish fillets, so be sure to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

And that's it! Your crispy, golden brown fish fillets are now ready to be served with your choice of sides and sauces. Enjoy!

Breaded fillets

Breaded fish fillets can be cooked straight from frozen in an air fryer, and you don't need to defrost them first. This is a great shortcut to making fish and chips at home, and you can have a tasty meal ready in under 15 minutes.

How to Cook Breaded Fish Fillets in an Air Fryer:

First, preheat your air fryer to 380°F/193°C. You don't necessarily need to preheat the air fryer when cooking frozen food, but it can reduce the actual cook time by a minute or so.

Place your frozen breaded fish fillets in the air fryer basket, ensuring they aren't overlapping. You don't need to add any oil spray.

Air fry the fillets for 12 minutes, then flip them over. Continue air frying for another 2-4 minutes, or until they are cooked through and the coating is crispy. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fillets and the model of your air fryer. The internal temperature of the fish should reach at least 160°F/72°C.

Tips for the Crispiest Fish:

• Don't thaw the fish before air frying. Cooking straight from frozen gives better results.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Always cook in a single layer, leaving some room around the fillets for the air to circulate and crisp them up.
• Don't use oil. When cooking breaded fish, oil can make it soggy rather than crispy.
• Check the temperature to ensure the fish is heated through.

Serving Suggestions:

• Fish and chips: Serve your breaded fish with a side of golden, crispy fries.
• Lemon and tartar sauce: Squeeze a lemon wedge over your fish and dip it in tartar sauce for a classic pairing.
• Fish tacos: Add your breaded fish to a soft taco shell with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a creamy sauce.
• Fish burger: Place your breaded fish in a bun with lettuce, tomatoes, and a tangy sauce.
• Fish salad: For a lighter option, serve your breaded fish on a bed of mixed greens tossed with a light vinaigrette.

Oil and seasoning

The oil you choose to use when cooking frozen fish fillets in an air fryer is important. Avocado oil is recommended due to its high smoke point. Other options include olive oil, grapeseed oil, or vegetable oil. You can also use an oil spray or mister to coat the fish fillets. If you don't want to use oil, that's fine too—the fish fillets will still cook through and get crispy without it.

When it comes to seasoning, the options are endless. You can keep it simple with just salt and garlic powder, or get creative with Old Bay seasoning, or even a spicy kick of sriracha. You can also serve your fish fillets with a variety of dipping sauces, such as tartar sauce, aioli, garlic butter, or soy-ginger.

If you're using frozen breaded fish fillets, the seasoning is already taken care of for you. However, you can still add additional seasonings or spices to suit your taste. Just be sure to coat the fish fillets evenly and not overcrowd the air fryer basket so that they cook through properly.

Here's a step-by-step guide to oiling and seasoning your frozen fish fillets for the air fryer:

• Start by coating the fish fillets with a thin layer of your chosen oil. You can brush it on or use an oil spray or mister.
• If you're using breadcrumbs, mix them with your chosen seasonings in a small bowl.
• Spoon the seasoned breadcrumbs over the oiled fish fillets, covering as much of the surface as possible. Gently press the breadcrumbs onto the fish to help them stick.
• Place the seasoned fish fillets into the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd the basket.
• Cook according to your air fryer's instructions, typically around 12-14 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
• Serve with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Air fryer settings

The ideal temperature for cooking frozen fish fillets in an air fryer is between 370°F and 390°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fillets and the specific model of air fryer being used. As a general guideline, cook the fillets for 10-14 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process.

It is important to note that different air fryers may cook at slightly different temperatures, so it is recommended to refer to the specific instructions for your air fryer model. Additionally, it is best to arrange the fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them to allow for even cooking.

For crispy fish fillets, consider coating them with a thin layer of olive oil or grapeseed oil spray before placing them in the air fryer. This will help the breadcrumbs adhere to the fish and create a crispy texture.

When cooking frozen fish fillets in an air fryer, it is not necessary to defrost them first. Cooking them straight from frozen will result in a slightly meatier texture compared to fresh fillets, but they will still be delicious and flaky.

To ensure the fish is cooked through, use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be 145°F. If the fish is not crispy enough after the initial cooking time, you can increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve frozen fish fillets cooked in an air fryer. You can pair them with a variety of side dishes, such as french fries, steak fries, sweet potato fries, tater tobs, or hushpuppies. You can also serve them with a side of tartar sauce, and garnish with lemon wedges.

If you want to get creative, you can use the fish fillets as a shortcut in a variety of recipes. For example, you can make fish and chips, fish sandwiches, or fish tacos. For fish tacos, you can add coleslaw, jalapeno or sriracha mayo, and a squeeze of lime.

You can also serve the fish fillets on top of a salad or with your favourite vegetables.

Frequently asked questions