Air-Frying Fishcakes: How Long Does It Take?

how long to cook fishcakes in air fryer

Fish cakes are a tasty treat, and using an air fryer to cook them means you get a crispy exterior without the mess and calories of deep-frying. You can make fish cakes with a variety of ingredients, including white fish, crab meat, and salmon. The air fryer temperature and cooking time will depend on the ingredients used and the thickness of the fishcakes. Typically, fish cakes take between 9 and 20 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

Characteristics Values
Temperature 180-200°C (350-400°F)
Cooking time 9-20 minutes
Colour Golden brown
Texture Crispy, crunchy
Taste Savoury, lightly sweet, tangy, spicy
Ingredients Fish, breadcrumbs, egg, potato, crab meat, flour, green beans, lime juice, coriander, fish sauce, lemongrass, spring onion, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, sweet chilli sauce, milk, parsley, fried onions, capers, lemon zest
Preparation Chill for 30 minutes, coat in breadcrumbs, grease air fryer basket with cooking spray
Serving suggestions Salad, lemon aioli, tzatziki, green goddess sauce, lime wedges

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Air fryer temperature and cooking time

The cooking time and temperature for fishcakes in an air fryer depend on the type of fishcakes you are preparing. For instance, the temperature and timing for salmon fishcakes differ from those made with crab or white fish.

If you are making Thai-style fishcakes, you should heat your air fryer to 180°C and cook for 15-20 minutes. Check the fishcakes halfway through to ensure they are cooked through and golden.

For salmon fishcakes, cook the salmon fillets at 200°C for 10 minutes. Then, flake the flesh with a fork and add the remaining ingredients. Shape the mixture into four patties, brush with oil, and place in the air fryer basket. Cook for 5 minutes at 200°C, then turn over and cook for another 5 minutes.

If you are making fishcakes with white fish, preheat your air fryer to 400°F and grease the basket with non-aerosol cooking oil spray. Place the fishcakes in the basket and cook for 9 to 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F. You can also try cooking the fishcakes for 5 minutes on each side, greasing with cooking spray in between, for a total cooking time of 9 to 10 minutes.

For crab cakes, preheat your air fryer to 400°F and grease the basket with cooking spray. The cooking time for crab cakes is around 9 to 10 minutes, or until the cakes are golden brown.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness and size of your fishcakes. Thinner cakes will cook faster, so adjust your timing accordingly.

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Fishcake ingredients and preparation

Fish cakes are a delicious and easy meal to make in an air fryer. They are also a versatile dish, as you can use a variety of different ingredients to make them. For example, you can use either raw or canned fish, such as salmon, crab, or tuna. If you want to use potato in your fish cakes, you can cook them in the air fryer or microwave them before mashing, to save time.

To make the fish cakes, start by combining your chosen ingredients in a large bowl. A simple combination of fish, breadcrumbs or panko crumbs, an egg, and seasoning is a good place to start. You can also add in some chopped fresh cilantro or chilli sauce for extra flavour. You will need to add something to bind the mixture, such as flour or mayonnaise.

Once you have combined your ingredients, divide the mixture into four and shape them into patties. You can then coat the fishcakes in breadcrumbs and chill them for 30 minutes.

After chilling, spritz the fishcakes with cooking spray and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook for around 9-10 minutes, flipping them over halfway through and spritzing with cooking spray again. They are ready when they are golden brown and crispy.

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Fish types and alternatives

Fish cakes are a versatile dish that can be made with almost any type of fish. However, it is generally recommended to use a firm white fish, such as cod, tilapia, haddock, Alaskan pollock, or catfish. These types of fish provide the ideal texture for fish cakes, resulting in a crispy outside and soft, flaky inside. It is best to avoid fatty fish, as they tend to be too soft and may crumble easily. Fish with a strong flavour, such as sardines or mackerel, should also be avoided to prevent an overpowering taste.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can even use imitation crab meat or canned fish such as tuna, salmon, or crab. Crab cakes, a variation of fish cakes, typically do not contain potatoes. Instead, they are made with crab meat, eggs, mayonnaise, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. It is important to chill crab cakes for at least 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to set.

For a classic fish cake, potato is commonly used as a binding agent and to add bulk to the dish. Any starchy or all-purpose potatoes will work well, although waxy potatoes should be avoided if possible. In addition to potato, other ingredients such as garlic, chilli, green onion, parsley, and thyme can be added to enhance the flavour of the fish cakes.

When it comes to cooking fish cakes in an air fryer, the process is relatively simple. First, preheat your air fryer to 400˚F and grease the basket with non-aerosol cooking oil spray. Form the fish cake mixture into small patties and coat them with breadcrumbs. Place the patties in the air fryer basket and spritz with cooking spray. Cook the fish cakes for a total of 15-20 minutes at 180°C, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through.

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Binding agents and refrigeration

Binding agents are essential in fishcakes to hold the ingredients together and provide moisture. Eggs are commonly used as a binding agent in fishcakes, helping the patties hold their shape and adding texture and richness. When making crab cakes, for instance, eggs are a staple ingredient. You can also add an extra egg to enhance the binding effect.

Mayonnaise is another binding agent that can be used in fishcakes. It helps to bind the mixture and adds a tangy sweetness to the dish. Breadcrumbs are also a good binding agent and can be added to the mixture or used to coat the fishcakes before air frying. Breadcrumbs deliver extra crunch and prevent the fishcakes from sticking to the air fryer basket.

Refrigeration is an important step in the fishcake-making process. After forming the fishcake mixture into patties, it is recommended to chill them for at least 30 minutes to help them stay together. The mixture can also be refrigerated for an hour before forming the patties, which helps the ingredients bind and enhances the flavour. Refrigeration is also important for storing leftovers. Allow the cooked fishcakes to cool to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container and storing them in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, fishcakes can be frozen for up to three months.

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Serving suggestions and sauces

Fish cakes are a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. They can be served as an appetiser with a dip, such as tartar sauce, mango salsa, lemon aioli, tzatziki, or green goddess sauce. They can also be served as a main course with a variety of sides, such as sweet potato wedges, Cajun fries, mashed potatoes, or a sesame cucumber salad. If you're serving fish cakes as a main, pork chops are a great option to serve alongside them. For a lighter option, pair them with a crisp green salad or a cucumber snap pea salad.

Fish cakes also go well with rice bowls, grain bowls, or meal-prep bowls. You can also add them to a Fritto Misto for a more substantial dish. If you're looking for a potato option to serve with your fish cakes, cast-iron potatoes, sweet potato au gratin, or potatoes with green onion and dill are all excellent choices.

When it comes to sauces, sweet chilli sauce is a popular choice for fish cakes, as it adds a tangy sweetness that pairs well with the savoury white fish. Mayonnaise is often used as a binder in the fish cake mixture, but it can also be served as a dipping sauce. Lime wedges are also a great choice, as the citrus adds a bright, tangy flavour. Other sauces that can be served with fish cakes include cocktail sauce, aioli, and sour cream and dill dip.

Frequently asked questions

Fishcakes typically take about 12 minutes in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C). However, this can vary based on the thickness and size of the cakes.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and grease the basket with non-aerosol cooking oil spray.

You can cook them directly from a frozen state. Reheat refrigerated fish cakes at 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes or until warmed through. For frozen fish cakes, add a few extra minutes to the reheating time.

Cook the salmon fillets in the air fryer at 200°C for 10 minutes until cooked through.

To prevent fishcakes from falling apart, ensure your mixture has a good binding agent like egg or breadcrumbs, and refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes before forming and cooking the cakes.

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