Emilie Meyer
Cooking cod in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to prepare this fish. It takes less than 20 minutes, including prep and cooking time, and leaves barely any mess. The air fryer gives the cod a crispy golden crust while keeping the inside tender and flaky. The cook time depends on the thickness of the fillets and how many pounds you use. For example, one source recommends cooking 1 pound of cod at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping it, and then cooking for another 4-5 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
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What You'll Learn
Prep time: Pat dry, season, and marinate
Preparing your cod in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. First, pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels. This is an important step to ensure the seasonings stick to the fish.
Next, it's time to season your cod. In a small bowl, mix together your chosen seasonings. A simple blend of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper will add a kick of flavour to your cod. You can also add in some lemon pepper and onion powder for an extra kick. Mix your seasonings well, and then set the bowl aside.
In a separate small bowl, create a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Brush this mixture onto both sides of your cod fillets. Then, sprinkle your seasoning mixture onto both sides of the fillets, gently patting it so it sticks to the fish.
You can also marinate your cod before cooking for an extra boost of flavour. Create a marinade by mixing olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, lemon zest, and herbs in a small bowl. You can also add in other ingredients like honey, orange zest, Dijon mustard, or fresh ginger to customise the flavours to your taste. Place your cod fillets in a dish and spoon the marinade over them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours for maximum flavour.
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Preheat air fryer to 400°F
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) before placing the cod inside. This ensures even cooking and a crispy exterior. While the air fryer is preheating, brush both sides of the cod fillets with oil or melted butter and season them with your preferred herbs and spices. You can let the cod marinate and absorb the spices and herbs for 5 minutes.
Once preheated, grease the air fryer basket with oil or cooking spray. Place the cod fillets in the basket and cook for 8-13 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The internal temperature should reach 145°F. Flip the cod halfway through the cooking time to promote even browning on both sides. Make sure your cod fillets are the same thickness. This ensures even cooking and prevents over-drying the thinner cod fillets.
You can check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. As per the FDA, safe-to-eat fish should reach 145°F. If you don't have a meat thermometer, ensure the cod is completely white/opaque, and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
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Grease the air fryer basket
To grease an air fryer basket, you can use olive oil or a non-stick cooking spray. Spraying the basket with oil or cooking spray will prevent the fish from sticking to the basket.
It is important to clean your air fryer basket regularly to prevent a build-up of grease and food particles. If you do not clean your air fryer basket regularly, the grease will become harder to remove over time. To clean your air fryer basket, you can use a combination of vinegar, lemon, hot water, and baking soda.
- Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with the juice of half a lemon in a small bowl.
- Add a teaspoon of hot water to the mixture and stir until it forms a paste.
- Pour the paste directly into the air fryer basket and scrub lightly with a soft-bristled toothbrush or sponge.
- Alternatively, you can add the paste to a ceramic ramekin and place it in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for five minutes to create a steam cleaning effect.
- Leave the air fryer basket to sit for 30 minutes to allow the steam to loosen the grease and food particles.
- Remove the ramekin and scrub the air fryer basket with a sponge or soft-bristled toothbrush.
You can also try filling the air fryer basket with warm water and adding a few drops of dish soap. Turn on the air fryer for two minutes, then rinse the basket with clean water.
Another option is to use dish soap and baking soda. Squirt dish soap all over the air fryer basket and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Pour in hot water until the basket is almost full, then add two tablespoons of white vinegar. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.
To prevent grease build-up, you can line your air fryer basket with parchment paper or tin foil. Ensure that you do not cover the holes in the basket, as this will allow for proper air circulation during cooking.
By regularly cleaning your air fryer basket and using parchment paper or tin foil, you can effectively grease the basket and maintain its condition.
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Cook for 8-10 minutes
To cook cod in an air fryer, preheat the appliance to 400°F. Then, pat the cod fillets dry with a paper towel. This helps to remove excess moisture, allowing for better browning. Next, brush each fillet on both sides with a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice. You can also add spices such as salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne to the mixture. Place the cod in the air fryer basket and cook for 8–10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The internal temperature should reach 145°F, and the exterior should be golden brown.
While the cod is cooking, you can prepare a dipping sauce. A simple tartar sauce can be made by mixing mayonnaise, finely chopped pickles, lemon juice, mustard, and a pinch of salt. Alternatively, you can make an avocado cilantro dipping sauce by blending avocado, lime juice, garlic, and salt.
Once the cod is done, serve it immediately with fresh lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or in tacos. You can also sprinkle more old bay seasoning or Italian seasoning on the cod for extra flavor.
Cooking cod in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a healthy, flavorful, and flaky dish. The air fryer gives the cod a crispy golden crust while keeping the inside tender and flaky. It is also a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, as it uses minimal oil while still delivering a crunchy texture.
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Check internal temperature
Checking the internal temperature of your cod is an important step to ensure that it is cooked properly and safely. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends that cod should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (62.8°C) to be considered safe to eat.
To check the internal temperature of your cod, you can use a meat thermometer or an instant-read thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the cod fillet, making sure not to touch any bones, as this can give an inaccurate reading. For accurate results, it is best to leave the thermometer in the fish for about 15 seconds or until the temperature stabilizes. If your thermometer has a temperature alert feature, you can set it to notify you when the desired temperature is reached.
When checking the internal temperature, it is also a good idea to visually inspect the cod. Properly cooked cod should be opaque and have a flaky texture. You can use a fork to flake off a small piece of the cod from the thickest part of the fillet to check for doneness. If the fish flakes easily and is no longer translucent, it is likely cooked thoroughly.
If your cod has not reached the desired internal temperature of 145°F, you can continue cooking it in the air fryer in small increments of 1-2 minutes until it reaches the desired temperature. However, be careful not to overcook the cod, as this can result in dry and rubbery fish.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you cook breaded cod in an air fryer for 10 minutes at 400°F, then use a thin spatula to flip the fillets and cook for another 5 minutes until golden brown.
It is recommended that you cook unbreaded cod in an air fryer for 8-10 minutes at 400°F, or until the fish is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
It is recommended that you first thaw the frozen cod, then cook it in an air fryer for 4 minutes at 350°F, add oil and seasonings, then air fry again at 370°F for about 10 minutes.
