Emilie Meyer
Smelt is a small fish with a mild, slightly sweet flavour and a tender texture, making it a great option for frying. It is found predominantly in the Great Lakes of North America and in the northern European seas. If you're looking to cook smelt in an air fryer, it is recommended that you preheat the air fryer to 375-390°F. Lightly spray oil on each fish and place them in the air fryer in a single layer. Cook for 7-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The fish is ready when its internal temperature reaches 145°F.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking time | 7-10 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 145 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Reheating time | 400 degrees for 2 minutes |
| Reheating method | Place back in the air fryer |
| Storage | Airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days |
| Oil spray | Olive oil or avocado oil |
| Flour mixture | All-purpose flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, lemon pepper, celery salt |
| Cooking spray | Neutral, high smoke point oil |
| Cooking temperature | 375-390 degrees Fahrenheit |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking spray and temperature
When using an air fryer to cook smelt, it is important to use a cooking spray to ensure the fish gets crispy. The cooking spray also helps to prevent the fish from sticking to the air fryer basket. You can use a neutral, high smoke point oil spray such as avocado oil or olive oil spray. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the smelt in a single layer in the basket. Do not overcrowd the basket.
The temperature you cook the smelt at will depend on the type of air fryer you have and your desired level of crispiness. Some recipes suggest cooking at 375°F for 4-6 minutes on each side, while others recommend 390°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping the fish halfway through. It is important to note that appliances vary, so these temperatures and cooking times are estimates. You may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time depending on your air fryer and the size of your smelt.
To ensure the smelt is cooked through, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the fish. The internal temperature should be at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the fish to get an accurate reading.
If you are reheating leftover smelt, place them back in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about two minutes or until heated through.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for smelts in an air fryer depends on the size of the fish, the temperature of the air fryer, and the desired level of crispiness. On average, it takes about 7 to 12 minutes to cook smelt in an air fryer at temperatures ranging from 375°F to 390°F.
Before air-frying, the smelts should be cleaned and gutted, with the head and entrails removed. The fish should then be rinsed well with fresh water and patted dry with paper towels. Some recipes recommend making a slit in the belly and removing the guts, while others suggest leaving the head and guts intact for a more intense flavor.
To prepare the smelts for air frying, create a flour mixture by combining flour with cornmeal, salt, black pepper, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can also add bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder for extra flavor and crunch. Place the flour mixture in a food-safe plastic bag, add a few smelts at a time, shake to coat, and then shake off the excess flour.
When air-frying, preheat the air fryer to 375°F to 390°F. Place the coated smelts in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Lightly spray the smelts with oil to help them get crispy.
The cooking time for smelts in the air fryer can vary depending on the desired level of doneness and crispiness. For a quick cook, 3 to 4 minutes per side at 375°F should be sufficient. For a more well-done smelt, increase the cooking time to 4 to 6 minutes per side at the same temperature. If cooking at a higher temperature of 390°F, 7 to 10 minutes should be enough, flipping the fish halfway through.
It is important to note that appliances vary, and cooking times may need to be adjusted slightly based on the specific air fryer and the size of the smelts. To ensure the smelts are cooked through, it is recommended to use an instant meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be at least 145°F.
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Gutting and cleaning
To cook smelt in an air fryer, you should first clean and gut the fish. The smelt can be cooked with or without the head, but the guts should always be removed as they can leave a bitter taste.
To begin gutting and cleaning, use kitchen shears to cut off the head, angling the cut behind the gills but towards the front of the head to capture all the meat. Then, use the shears to cut into the belly of the fish and continue cutting through the belly until you reach the bone, exposing the guts. Use your finger to remove the guts from the fish, then rinse thoroughly with cool water and pat dry.
For larger fish, you may also need to remove the backbone. To do this, make a shallow cut along either side of the abdominal cavity, then pull the backbone out by tugging on it. You can also use scissors to remove the head and guts. If you are working with a smaller fish, you can leave the head on if you prefer.
Once your smelt are gutted and cleaned, you can prepare them for cooking. Lightly coat the fish with a flour mixture, then spray them with oil. Place the smelt in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 375°F for 4-6 minutes on the first side. Flip the fish and cook for another 4-6 minutes, until crispy.
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Flour mixture
To make the flour mixture, you will need flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can also add Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, lemon pepper, celery salt, or garlic powder to the flour mixture for extra flavour.
First, clean your smelts by removing their heads and guts. Rinse the fish with cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Make a slit in the belly of each fish and gently pull out the guts. This step is important as the insides can leave a bitter taste to the fish.
Next, prepare the flour mixture. In a dish or bowl, whisk or mix together the flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can adjust the amount of each ingredient to your taste preferences. For a spicier flour mixture, add more cayenne pepper. If you want a more subtle spice flavour, you can reduce the amount of black pepper and cayenne pepper.
Once you have a well-combined flour mixture, transfer it to a food-safe plastic bag. You can also use a large bowl for this step. Now, add a few smelts to the bag or bowl, close it and shake until the fish are well coated. Remove the fish from the bag or bowl and gently shake off any excess flour. Repeat this process until all your smelts are coated in the flour mixture.
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Reheating
To reheat your smelt in an air fryer, set the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for about two minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes.
If you are looking to reheat a large batch of smelt, it is best to do so in smaller batches to ensure even heating. Additionally, be sure to shake off any excess flour from each fish before reheating, as too much flour can impact the final texture.
When reheating, it is important to monitor the smelt carefully to avoid overcooking, as this can cause the fish to dry out. Aim for a crispy texture, and ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit. To check the temperature, use a meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the fish, being careful not to touch the basket, as it will be much hotter than the fish.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 7 to 12 minutes to cook smelt in an air fryer.
Yes, it is recommended to flip the fish halfway through cooking.
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F-390°F.
The smelt should be cooked until golden and crispy. The internal temperature of the fish should be at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
