Air Fryer Cooking: Frozen Fish Fillets, Quick And Easy!

Cooking frozen fish fillets in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a crispy, perfectly cooked fish fillet. There is no need for a deep fryer with extra oil and calories, and you can have a delicious meal on your plate in under 15 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fillets and the type of air fryer you have, but generally, it should take no longer than 15 minutes to cook frozen fish fillets in an air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your fish fillets cook evenly and efficiently. Most air fryer recipes recommend preheating your appliance to achieve the best results.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the temperature to your desired level. Many recipes for frozen fish fillets suggest preheating to 380°F/193°C. However, some recipes recommend a higher temperature of 390°F. This temperature is usually reached within a few minutes, and your air fryer may even have a preheat function or button.

While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your frozen fish fillets and the air fryer basket. It is important to note that the basket should not be overcrowded, so only place enough fillets to form a single layer, leaving space between them. This ensures that the hot air can circulate freely and cook the fillets evenly. You can coat the basket with grapeseed oil spray or another type of oil spray, or use parchment paper or aluminium foil, to prevent the fish from sticking.

Once your air fryer has preheated to the desired temperature, you can place the prepared basket of frozen fish fillets inside and start the timer for the cooking process.

Oil the basket

When preparing to cook frozen fish fillets in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the air fryer basket is appropriately prepared. One option is to coat the basket with a layer of oil. This can be done by spraying the basket with grapeseed oil or olive oil. Alternatively, you can brush the basket with olive oil. This step is not mandatory, as some recipes suggest that no oil is needed. However, if you want to achieve a crispy texture, a thin layer of oil can help.

The purpose of oiling the basket is twofold. Firstly, it helps to ensure that the fish fillets do not stick to the surface of the basket. This is particularly important if your air fryer has a wire basket or tray, as food tends to stick more easily to these surfaces. By creating a non-stick coating, you can avoid having your perfectly cooked fish fillets tear or break when you remove them from the basket.

Secondly, the oil can act as a heat conductor, helping to distribute heat more evenly across the surface of the basket. This, in turn, can aid in cooking the fish fillets more uniformly. While hot circulating air is the primary mechanism for cooking in an air fryer, the oil can enhance heat transfer and ensure that your fillets are cooked through without drying out.

It is worth noting that if you choose to oil the basket, you should use a minimal amount of oil. A thin layer or a light coating of oil spray is sufficient. Excessive oil may result in a greasy residue on your fish fillets, detracting from the desired crispy texture. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the oil you use has a high smoke point, such as grapeseed oil or olive oil, to avoid smoking or burning during the cooking process.

Cook for 10 minutes

Cooking frozen fish fillets in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, crispy fish fillet. There's no need to defrost the fish, and you can have a tasty meal ready in under 15 minutes.

To cook frozen fish fillets in your air fryer for 10 minutes, first, preheat your air fryer to 380-390 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is heating up, prepare the fish fillets. Coat the air fryer basket with grapeseed oil spray or another oil spray, then place the frozen fish fillets into the basket in a single layer, leaving space between them for the hot air to circulate. You can brush the fillets with olive oil or another oil spray to help them crisp up.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket into the machine and set the timer for 10 minutes. If you want the fillets to be crispy on both sides, flip them over halfway through the cooking time. After 10 minutes, check that the fish is cooked. The fish should be golden brown and flake easily with a fork. The internal temperature should be at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can serve the fish fillets with tartar sauce and your favorite side dish. Enjoy!

Flip and cook for 2-4 minutes

When cooking frozen fish fillets in an air fryer, the final few minutes of the process are crucial. After the initial cooking time, you'll want to carefully flip the fillets and cook them for an additional 2-4 minutes. This will ensure that your fish is cooked through and has a nice, golden-brown, crispy finish.

The exact cooking time will depend on the crispness you desire and the thickness of your fillets. Thicker fillets may require a little more time, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on them as they cook. If you're using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C) before serving.

Different air fryer models will also affect cooking time, so it's worth noting that this guidance is based on a 5.8qt Cosori air fryer. If you're using a different brand or model, you may need to adjust the timing slightly to suit your air fryer.

During this final cooking stage, you can also add a squeeze of lemon juice to enhance the flavour of the fish. This will also help to create a tasty fish and chips meal or a zesty addition to fish tacos.

Serve with tartar sauce

There are several ways to prepare frozen fish fillets in an air fryer, and most recipes suggest serving them with tartar sauce. The exact cooking time and temperature will depend on the type of fish, the thickness of the fillets, and the model of your air fryer.

One recipe for frozen breaded fish fillets involves preheating your air fryer to 380°F/193°C. Place the frozen fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Air fry for 12 minutes, then flip the fillets and air fry for another 2-4 minutes, or until cooked through and crispy. Serve with tartar sauce and your favorite sides, such as fries, hushpuppies, or a fresh salad.

Another recipe suggests brushing the frozen fillets with olive oil and seasoning them with salt and garlic powder before air frying. Place the fillets in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F/204°C for 8-12 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 4-7 minutes until crispy and golden. Serve with tartar sauce, lemon wedges, and your favorite sides.

If you're looking for a breaded option, a third recipe recommends coating the frozen fillets with a thin layer of olive oil, then spooning seasoned panko breadcrumbs over the top. Place the fillets in the air fryer and cook at 370°F/190°C for 12-14 minutes, or until piping hot and golden brown. Serve with tartar sauce and your favorite sides, such as vegetable rice and asparagus.

You can also get creative with your air-fried frozen fish fillets and use them in fish tacos, fish sandwiches, or as a topping for a fish salad. Don't forget to adjust the cooking time and temperature based on your air fryer's specifications and the thickness of your fillets.

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