Emilie Meyer
Fish is a great source of lean protein and cooking it in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep frying. Air-fried fish is also a lot crispier than oven-baked fish and takes a fraction of the oil to cook. The best part? It's ready in just 10-15 minutes! In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to cook crispy fish in an air fryer, from preparing the fish to serving suggestions.
Characteristics of cooking crispy fish in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of fish | Any white fish fillets, e.g. pollock, haddock, cod, basa |
| Thickness of fillets | 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick |
| Seasoning | Paprika, dried parsley, Italian seasoning blend, or other favourite seasoning |
| Marinade | Buttermilk and Old Bay |
| Coating | Flour, egg, breadcrumbs, or panko |
| Oil | Olive oil or cooking spray |
| Cooking time | 7-15 minutes, flipping halfway through |
| Serving suggestions | Lemon wedges, tartar sauce, hot sauce, remoulade sauce, French fries, potato wedges, roasted vegetables, salad |
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What You'll Learn
Fish and chips in the air fryer
Fish and chips is a classic comfort food and pub food favourite. With an air fryer, you can make this dish healthier and easier without sacrificing the signature crispy exterior and juicy interior. This recipe uses white fish fillets, which you can bread and season to your liking, and homemade French fries.
Ingredients
- White fish fillets (e.g. cod, pollock, haddock, or halibut)
- Breadcrumbs (e.g. panko)
- Flour
- Eggs
- Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Seasoning (e.g. paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning)
- Potatoes
Instructions
- Soak the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes to achieve crispy French fries.
- Pat the fish fillets dry with a paper towel.
- Prepare the breading station: place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and breadcrumbs mixed with salt, pepper, and seasoning in a third bowl.
- Dredge each fish fillet in flour, then dip it in the egg, and finally coat it with the seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes.
- Place a sheet of parchment paper in the air fryer basket and spray it with cooking oil.
- Arrange the fish fillets in the basket, making sure they don't overlap. Spray the tops of the fish with cooking oil.
- Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The fish is ready when it's golden and easily flaked with a fork.
- While the fish cooks, prepare the French fries. Drain the potatoes and dry them thoroughly. Place them in the air fryer basket and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes per side.
- Serve the fish and chips immediately with your choice of tartar sauce, hot sauce, lemon wedges, or malt vinegar.
Tips
- If using frozen fish fillets, make sure to completely thaw them before cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Cook in batches if needed.
- For extra crispiness, spray the fish with oil halfway through cooking.
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How to get a crispy exterior
To get a crispy exterior when cooking fish in an air fryer, there are several steps to follow. Firstly, ensure your fish fillets are not too thin; thin strips will not yield the best results. If your fillets are frozen, defrost them and then rinse and pat them dry with paper towels. The fillets should still be slightly damp. Next, prepare the coating. You can use a mixture of breadcrumbs and spices, such as paprika, chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Alternatively, you can use gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. You can also add spices to the flour, such as paprika for some heat.
After preparing the coating, it is time to bread the fish. First, dredge the fillets in flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them in whisked egg, and finally, coat them evenly in the breadcrumbs. Make sure to press the breadcrumbs into the fish to ensure an even and thick coating. If you want an extra crispy exterior, you can double-bread the fish by repeating the process.
Once the fish is breaded, spray the fillets with cooking spray or brush them with oil. This will help the fish achieve a golden colour and crispiness. Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually around 3 minutes. Arrange the fish fillets in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded, as this will cause the fish to steam instead of fry. Set the temperature to 390°F (200°C) and cook for about 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. For thinner fillets, 7-10 minutes may be sufficient. Flip the fish halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
Your fish is ready when it is golden brown and crispy on the outside and flakes easily with a fork. Serve it immediately with your choice of sides and sauces, such as lemon wedges, tartar sauce, remoulade sauce, or hot sauce. Enjoy your crispy air-fried fish!
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The best fish to use
The best type of fish to use for a crispy and crunchy finish in an air fryer is white fish fillets, such as pollock, haddock, cod, basa, flounder, or catfish. White fish is flaky and tender, with a mild flavour that pairs well with various seasonings and coatings. It is also readily available in most supermarkets and fish markets.
When purchasing white fish fillets for air frying, look for fillets that are between 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick. This thickness ensures that the fish cooks evenly and thoroughly in the air fryer, resulting in a crispy exterior and moist, flaky interior. Thinner fillets may dry out and not achieve the desired flakiness, while thicker fillets may require a longer cooking time and may not crisp up as nicely.
You can also experiment with other types of fish, such as trout or mahi-mahi, depending on your preference and availability. Just keep in mind that the cooking time and temperature may need to be adjusted slightly to accommodate the characteristics of the specific fish you choose.
Additionally, when preparing your fish for air frying, it is essential to ensure that the fillets are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket. Space allows the hot air to circulate properly, promoting even cooking and the desired crispiness. If you are cooking for a larger group, consider cooking the fish in batches to achieve the best results.
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How to prepare the fish
To prepare the fish, start by rinsing and patting dry your fish fillets with paper towels. The fillets should still be slightly damp. If your fish is frozen, be sure to defrost it before proceeding. You can use any kind of white fish fillet, such as pollock, haddock, cod, or basa, as long as the fillets are 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick.
Next, prepare your breading or seasoning. For a basic breading, you can use a simple combination of flour, whisked egg, and breadcrumbs. If you want to add extra flavour, season your breadcrumbs with spices such as paprika, chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or salt. You can also use Italian-style breadcrumbs or gluten-free alternatives. Place the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs in separate shallow dishes, and coat the fillets in each of these ingredients sequentially, tapping off any excess.
Alternatively, you can create a marinade for your fish. Whisk together buttermilk and Old Bay seasoning, and combine the fillets and marinade in a zip-top bag. Refrigerate for 20 minutes, or up to 8 hours in advance. After marinating, coat the fillets in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs as mentioned above.
Once your fillets are coated, place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded, as this will prevent the fish from crisping properly. You can spray the fillets with cooking spray or brush them with oil to ensure even cooking and enhance the crispiness of the final product.
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How long to cook the fish for
The cooking time for your fish will depend on the type of fish you are using, the thickness of the fillet, and the model of your air fryer. For example, thicker fillets will take longer to cook than thinner fillets. White fish fillets, such as pollock, haddock, cod, or basa, are popular choices for the air fryer.
If you are using frozen fish fillets, be sure to defrost them before cooking. You can then drizzle the fillets with olive oil and coat them in breadcrumbs. The ideal temperature for cooking your fish is 390°F (200°C), and the total cooking time will be around 12-15 minutes. You should flip the fillets after 8-10 minutes and continue cooking for another 7-8 minutes. You can tell if your fish is cooked by inserting an instant-read thermometer; the fish is ready when it reaches 145°F. Alternatively, the fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
It's important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent the fish from crisping and cause it to steam instead of fry. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fish in batches. Spraying the fish with oil halfway through cooking will also increase crispiness.
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Frequently asked questions
To cook crispy fish in an air fryer, first pat your fish fillets dry with paper towels. Then, coat the fillets in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. You can add seasonings like paprika, chili powder, and garlic powder to the breadcrumbs for extra flavor. Next, preheat your air fryer and spray the fillets with cooking spray or brush them with oil. Place the fillets in the air fryer basket and cook at 390°F (200°C) for about 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The fish is ready when it's golden and crispy on the outside and flakes easily with a fork.
You can use any type of white fish fillets, such as pollock, haddock, cod, or basa. Just make sure the fillets are about 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick.
The cooking time can vary depending on the thickness and type of fish fillet, but on average, it takes around 10-15 minutes to cook crispy fish in an air fryer.
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