Air-Frying Fish Fillets: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Cooking fish fillets in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious, healthy meal. The fish is cooked in under 15 minutes and can be seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs to create a crispy, golden exterior and a soft, moist interior. This guide will take you through the simple steps to achieve the perfect air-fried fish fillets.

How to season fish fillets for the air fryer

To season fish fillets for the air fryer, you can use a variety of spices and herbs. For example, you can mix bread crumbs with paprika, chilli powder, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. You can also add other spices like cayenne to add more flavour or heat.

First, place the fish fillets in a ziplock bag and shake until they are fully covered with seasoning. Then, place the fillets on a baking rack to allow any excess flour to fall off. You can also rinse the fillets with a paper towel, ensuring they are still damp, before placing them in the ziplock bag.

Next, grease the bottom of your air fryer basket and place the fillets inside. Brush the grate with a little oil first, to prevent the fish from sticking. You can also brush the inside of the basket with oil, or line it with parchment paper.

Finally, cook the fish fillets at 390°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure they are cooked evenly on both sides. If you are using frozen fish fillets, make sure to defrost and thaw them completely before following this recipe.

How long to cook fish fillets in an air fryer

To cook fish fillets in an air fryer, you should first brush the air fryer grate with a little oil. 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 fish fillets to ensure they don't stick and all sides get cooked well. If you like your fish crispy, you can cook it at 400°F for 7-10 minutes on each side. If you are using frozen fish fillets, make sure to defrost and thaw them completely before following this recipe. You can also coat the fillets in breadcrumbs and seasoning before cooking.

How to defrost frozen fish fillets for the air fryer

To defrost frozen fish fillets for the air fryer, you can either leave them to thaw at room temperature or speed up the process by placing them in a bowl of cold water. Make sure the fish is completely defrosted before cooking. Once defrosted, pat the fillets dry with a paper towel, ensuring they are still damp. Then, place them in a ziplock bag and cover them with fish seasoning, shaking off any excess flour.

Next, grease the bottom of your air fryer basket with oil or line it with parchment paper. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and place the fillets in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Alternatively, you can cook the fillets at 400 degrees for 7-10 minutes on each side, spraying them with oil or butter before flipping to ensure they are fully coated.

How to coat fish fillets in breadcrumbs

To cook fish fillets in an air fryer, you should first defrost the fillets if they are frozen. Then, rinse the fillets with a paper towel and place them in a ziplock bag with fish seasoning. Shake the bag until the fillets are fully covered with seasoning and place them on a baking rack to allow any excess flour to fall off. Grease the bottom of your air fryer basket and place the fillets in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Air fry at 390°F (199°C) for 12-15 minutes. Halfway through, gently flip the fish fillets to ensure they don't stick and all sides get cooked well.

To coat fish fillets in breadcrumbs, you will need three shallow dishes: one for flour, one for beaten egg, and one for breadcrumbs. If your breadcrumbs are unseasoned, add spices and/or grated Parmesan cheese and mix together. Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels and then, one at a time, coat each fillet in flour, then egg, and finally breadcrumbs. The combination of flour and egg acts as a glue to hold the breadcrumbs in place. Set the fish aside on a cookie rack for 10 to 15 minutes to let the breadcrumbs set.

How to serve fish fillets cooked in an air fryer

To serve fish fillets cooked in an air fryer, first make sure you have cooked the fish fillets according to the instructions for your air fryer. This will usually involve coating the fish fillets in oil and bread crumbs or flour, and then cooking them in the air fryer for around 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Once your fish fillets are cooked, you can serve them with a fresh lemon wedge, mushy peas, or French fries. You can also serve them with a sauce such as tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or hot sauce.

If you want to get creative, you can experiment with different seasonings for your fish fillets. For example, you could try using Italian bread crumbs, or adding spices like cayenne, paprika, chilli powder, or garlic powder.

Remember to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of your fillets, and always make sure they are cooked through before serving. Enjoy your delicious and healthy air-fried fish fillets!

Frequently asked questions