Air Frying Perch: How Long Does It Take?

Perch is a versatile fish that can be cooked in many ways, including in an air fryer. Air frying perch is a quick and easy way to cook the fish, taking between 7 and 15 minutes, depending on the recipe and the thickness of the fish.

Air fryer temperature: 390°F (199°C)

If you're cooking perch in an air fryer at 390°F (199°C), you should cook it for 12-15 minutes. Halfway through, gently flip the fish fillets to ensure they don't stick and all sides get cooked well.

If you're cooking at 400°F, you should cook the fish for 7-10 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 7-8 minutes.

The exact cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your fish. If your fish is smaller, you may want to try an air fryer fish sticks recipe instead.

Cooking time: 12-15 minutes

Cooking perch in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this fish. To cook perch in an air fryer, you should first brush the grate with a little oil. Then, place the perch fillets in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Set the air fryer to 390°F (199°C) and cook for 12-15 minutes. Halfway through, gently flip the fish to ensure it doesn't stick and that all sides are cooked evenly. Once the perch is cooked, serve it warm with a fresh lemon wedge.

The cooking time for perch in an air fryer can vary depending on the size and thickness of the fillets. Therefore, it's important to keep an eye on the fish while it's cooking to ensure it doesn't overcook. You can check if the perch is done by gently flaking it with a fork; if it flakes easily, it's ready to be served.

Additionally, if you're using frozen perch fillets, make sure to thaw them completely before cooking. This will help ensure even cooking and prevent the fish from becoming dry or rubbery.

By following these simple steps and adjusting the cooking time as needed, you can easily cook delicious and healthy perch in your air fryer.

Flipping the fillets: halfway through cooking

When cooking perch in an air fryer, it's important to flip the fillets halfway through the cooking process. This ensures that the fish cooks evenly on all sides and prevents it from sticking to the air fryer basket.

To flip the fillets, gently lift them with a spatula and turn them over. Be careful not to break the fillets, as this could affect their cooking time and final texture. Place them back in the air fryer, ensuring they are still in a single layer and not overlapping.

The exact timing for flipping the fillets will depend on the total cooking time. If you are cooking the perch at 390°F (199°C), which is a common temperature for air-fried fish, you should flip them after about 6 to 7 minutes. This ensures that both sides of the fillets get an equal amount of cooking time.

If your fillets are thinner or smaller, you may need to adjust the flipping time accordingly. Thinner fillets may cook faster, so flipping them earlier, around the 5-minute mark, could be necessary. On the other hand, if you are cooking thicker fillets, you might wait a minute or two longer before flipping to ensure they are cooked through properly.

Using frozen fillets: ensure they are completely thawed

If you're using frozen fillets, make sure they are completely thawed before you start cooking. Brush the air fryer grate with a little oil, then place the coated fish fillets in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Air fry at 390°F (199°C) for 12-15 minutes. Halfway through, gently flip the fillets to ensure they don't stick and all sides get cooked well.

The exact cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your fish. You can start checking them at 6 minutes, then at 2-minute increments until they are just cooked through. You can serve the fish with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, hot sauce, or as is.

If you're using frozen fillets, it's important to ensure they are completely thawed before cooking. This will help ensure even cooking and prevent the fish from drying out. You can thaw frozen fillets by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or by running cold water over them until they are completely thawed.

Oil: brush the air fryer grate with a little oil

Oil is an important part of cooking fish in an air fryer. Before you add the fish, brush the air fryer grate with a little oil. This will help to prevent the fish from sticking to the grate. You can also rub the fish fillets on all sides with an oil/spice mix before placing them in the air fryer.

If you don't have a brush, you can also line the basket with parchment paper. This will help to ensure that the fish doesn't stick and make it easier to clean up afterwards.

The amount of oil you use will depend on the size of your air fryer and the number of fish fillets you are cooking. You want to use just enough to coat the grate lightly, so that the fish doesn't stick, but not so much that it pools in the bottom of the basket.

When using oil in an air fryer, it's important to be careful not to overfill the basket. The oil can smoke and cause a fire if it gets too hot. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific air fryer model.

Frequently asked questions