Air-Frying Fish Fillets: How Long Does It Take?

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy alternative to deep frying, allowing you to cook crispy, golden, and delicious fish fillets with minimal grease. The cooking time for fish fillets in an air fryer varies depending on the type of fish and the desired level of doneness, but it typically ranges from 10 to 20 minutes.

How to get the perfect crispy texture

To achieve the perfect crispy texture for your fish fillets in the air fryer, there are several tips and techniques you can follow:

Prepare the Fish Fillets

Before seasoning or cooking the fish, it's important to prepare the fillets properly. Start by rinsing and patting them dry with paper towels. The fillets should still be slightly damp. If you're using frozen fish, ensure they are completely thawed before seasoning. You can thaw them by leaving them in the fridge overnight or submerging them in ice-cold water for an hour if they aren't too big.

Seasoning and Breading

The breading and seasoning play a crucial role in achieving the perfect crispy texture. Here are some tips:

• Use a variety of spices and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, chili powder, or your favorite spice blend.
• For the breading, you can use flour, breadcrumbs (regular or panko), or crushed cornflakes. If you're going for a gluten-free option, choose gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes.
• Dredge the fish fillets in flour or a flour-spice mixture first, then dip them in a beaten egg, and finally coat them with the breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes. Make sure to shake off any excess flour or egg before coating.
• You can also try a different approach by placing the fish fillets in a sealable bag with the seasoning and shaking until they are fully covered.

Cooking Instructions

Once your fish fillets are prepared and seasoned, it's time to cook them in the air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360°F to 400°F for 5 minutes.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket or use a liner, such as perforated parchment paper or a silicone mat, to prevent sticking.
• Place the fish fillets in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Overcrowding can cause steaming instead of frying, impacting the crispiness.
• Cook the fish fillets for 10 to 15 minutes at 380°F to 400°F. Flip them halfway through the cooking process, after 7 to 10 minutes.
• For thinner fillets, adjust the cooking time accordingly, as they will cook faster. Thicker fillets like cod may take a minute or two longer.
• Spray the fillets with oil halfway through the cooking process to increase crispiness. You can use a high-heat oil like olive oil or avocado oil.
• The fish is done when it can be easily flaked with a fork. You can also use an instant thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be 145°F.

Additional Tips

• If you're using breaded fish, chill the breaded fillets in the refrigerator for 10 minutes on a parchment-lined sheet tray before air frying. This helps the breading adhere better.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• If your air fryer basket is not non-stick, spray it with oil before placing the fish to prevent sticking.
• For an extra crispy crust, use eggs in your breading process. They help ensure that the breading sticks to the fish during cooking.
• For gluten-free options, use almond flour instead of regular flour, and choose gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes.

The best types of fish to use

• Tilapia
• Cod
• Catfish
• Pollock
• Hake
• Haddock

These types of fish have a delicate flavour and a firm texture that holds up well to the air-frying process. They are also relatively affordable and widely available.

You can also use salmon, but it is not recommended for this particular recipe as it has a stronger flavour and is more expensive. If you want to cook salmon in your air fryer, it is recommended to check out a specific salmon recipe.

For an alternative to the standard white fish options, you could try whiting fish fillets. This recipe will work for any type of fish, but these are the types that are most commonly used and recommended.

How to prepare the fish before cooking

Preparing your fish fillets before cooking is a crucial step in the air-frying process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your fish for the best results:

Defrosting:

Start by ensuring your fish fillets are completely defrosted, especially if you are using frozen fish. The best way to thaw fish is to leave it in the fridge overnight. Alternatively, for quicker results, you can submerge the fish in ice-cold water for an hour until it's thawed.

Drying:

Once your fish is ready, rinse and pat the fillets dry with paper towels. They should still be slightly damp. This step is important as it helps the seasoning or breading adhere better to the fish.

Seasoning:

If you plan on seasoning your fish, this is the time to do it. You can use a variety of seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, or your favourite fish seasoning blend. Place the seasoning in a sealable bag, add the fillets, seal the bag, and shake until the fillets are fully coated. You can also use a batter or a wet rub if you prefer.

Breading (optional):

If you want a crispy crust on your fish, this is a great additional step. Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place flour and any seasonings you want to add. You can also use cornstarch or gluten-free flour if you prefer. In the second bowl, whisk an egg. The third bowl should contain breadcrumbs, which can be regular or panko, depending on your preference. For a gluten-free option, use crushed cornflakes instead.

Take each fillet and coat it in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the whisked egg, and finally, dredge it in the breadcrumbs. Make sure the fish is well-coated.

Refrigerate (optional):

If you've breaded your fish, it's a good idea to place the fillets in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes before cooking. This helps the breading adhere better and prevents it from falling off during cooking.

Oil Spray:

Whether you've seasoned or breaded your fish, a light spray of oil will help enhance the colour and crispiness of the final product. You can use a high-heat oil like olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil. Spray the fillets generously, ensuring they are fully coated.

Your fish fillets are now ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Remember to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can cause steaming and affect the crispiness of your fish. Enjoy your delicious and healthy air-fried fish!

How long to cook the fish for

The cooking time for your fish fillets in the air fryer will depend on a few factors, such as the type of fish, the thickness of the fillets, and the temperature you are cooking at.

For a standard air fryer, set to 400°F, you should cook your fish fillets for around 10-12 minutes. This is for a white fish, such as cod, tilapia, haddock, or pollock. Thicker fillets, like cod, may take a minute or two longer. You can also cook at a higher temperature of 400°C, which will take around 12-15 minutes.

If you are cooking from frozen, you should air fry for an initial base time of 12 minutes, then check on the fillets, flipping them, and adding an additional minute or two of cooking. You can also cook frozen fish at 380°F/193°C for 12 minutes, then turn the fish over and cook for another 2-4 minutes.

It is important to note that the fish is done when it can be easily flaked with a fork. Thinner fillets will cook faster, so adjust the cooking time accordingly. For smaller pieces of fish, you can try an air fryer fish sticks recipe.

You may also need to adjust the cooking times depending on the type of fish and the model of your air fryer. It is always best to check the fish to ensure it is cooked properly.

What to serve with the fish

Fish fillets cooked in an air fryer are a quick, easy, and healthy meal. The best sides to serve with your air-fried fish are:

• Potato wedges or fries: Potato wedges are a great side to serve with fish cooked in an air fryer. You can also cook these in the air fryer, making this a simple and convenient option.
• Cheesy mashed potato cakes: For a more indulgent option, mashed potato cakes with cheese are a delicious side dish to serve with fish.
• Air fryer asparagus and mushrooms: For a lighter option, asparagus and mushrooms cooked in the air fryer are a great way to get your greens in while still enjoying a crispy texture.
• Hot sauce: A must-have according to some, a good hot sauce will add a spicy kick to your fish dish.
• Tartar sauce: A classic side to serve with fish, tartar sauce will add a tangy flavour to your meal.
• Lemon wedges: Squeeze a little fresh lemon over your fish for a burst of citrus that will complement the flavour of the fish.

You can also serve your air-fried fish with a variety of different sauces, such as cocktail sauce, remoulade, or even just some good old ketchup!

Frequently asked questions