Cody Casey
Air fryers are a convenient and healthy way to cook fish. They can cook fresh or frozen fish fillets with very little oil, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft interior. The process is simple: coat the fillets in seasoning, flour, and breadcrumbs, then cook them in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes. The air fryer's basket should not be overcrowded to ensure even cooking, and the fish is done when it's golden brown and flakes easily with a fork. This method is perfect for an easy weeknight family dinner, and the fish can be served with sides like potatoes, vegetables, and sauces such as tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or hot sauce.
How to Cook Fish in a Power Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fish Type | Any firm, mild white fish: haddock, pollock, cod, halibut, flounder, whiting, walleye, tilapia, sea bass, sole, catfish |
| Fish Preparation | Pat dry, cut into strips, coat with seasoning, flour, egg, and breadcrumbs |
| Oil | High-heat oil like olive oil or avocado oil |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 360°F to 400°F |
| Air Fryer Timing | 5-15 minutes, flipping halfway through |
| Serving Suggestions | Lemon wedges, tartar sauce, hot sauce, remoulade sauce, fries, potato and veggie sides |
| Notes | Do not overcrowd the fryer basket, ensure even air circulation, preheat the fryer, use perforated parchment paper to prevent sticking |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare fish for the air fryer
Preparing fish for the air fryer is a simple process. First, decide whether you want to cook with fresh or frozen fish. If you opt for frozen, you can cook the fillets directly from frozen in the air fryer, without waiting for them to thaw. However, if you plan on breading your fish or cutting them into specific portions, it's best to thaw them first. You can do this by leaving the fish in the fridge overnight or, for smaller pieces, submerging them in ice-cold water for an hour or two.
Once your fish is ready, you can season and bread it. Rinse the fillets with a paper towel, ensuring they remain damp, and place them in a sealable bag with your chosen seasoning. Shake the bag until the fillets are fully coated, and then place them on a baking rack to allow any excess flour to fall off.
If you plan to bread your fish, prepare three wide, shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place some flour; in the second, whisk an egg; and in the third, combine breadcrumbs, cornmeal, and any additional seasonings of your choice. Working with a few pieces at a time, dredge the fish in flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the fish in the egg, and finally, roll it in the breadcrumb mixture.
After your fish fillets are seasoned and/or breaded, give the air fryer basket a quick spritz with a non-stick spray, and place the fillets inside in a single layer, ensuring they don't overcrowd the basket. Preheat your air fryer, and then place the basket inside and let the fish cook. The cooking time will vary based on the size of your fillets and whether you're using any marinades, glazes, or breading. For breaded fish, cook at 400°F for 7-10 minutes on each side, flipping halfway through. For unbreaded fish, cook at 380°F for 5 minutes on each side, also flipping halfway through.
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The best types of fish to use
The best types of fish to cook in an air fryer are white fish, such as cod, tilapia, haddock, pollock, halibut, flounder, whiting, and walleye. These types of fish are firm, mild, and moderately thin, which makes them ideal for air frying.
Thicker fish, such as tuna or swordfish, can also be cooked in an air fryer but may take longer to cook. If using a thinner fish like whiting or flounder, adjust the cooking time slightly.
It is important to note that while you can cook both fresh and frozen fish in an air fryer, beer-battered fish or fish with any sort of batter should be avoided as the liquid creates a mess and does not stick to the fish in the same way as when deep-frying.
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Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time and temperature for fish in an air fryer will depend on the type of fish, the thickness of the fillets, and the desired level of crispiness. It is important to ensure that the air fryer basket is not overcrowded, as this will prevent the fish from crisping and cause it to steam instead of fry.
For a crispy and golden result, it is recommended to cook the fish at a temperature between 380°F and 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes. This will result in fish that is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork. The fish should be flipped halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
For thinner fish fillets, such as whiting or flounder, the cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly. A good indicator of doneness is when the fish is easily flaked with a fork.
When cooking with marinades, glazes, or breading, it is recommended to lower the cooking temperature and increase the cooking time to prevent overcooking. Additionally, it is important to ensure that any excess flour or breading is shaken off before placing the fish in the air fryer.
For frozen fish fillets, there is no need to thaw them before cooking. They can be cooked directly from frozen, making it a quick and convenient option for a weeknight meal. The cooking time for frozen fillets may be slightly longer, around 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
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How to get crispy fish
To get crispy fish, you can use an air fryer to cook the fish with very little oil. The air fryer circulates hot air evenly around the fish fillets, cooking them quickly and with a golden, crispy exterior.
First, you will need to prepare the fish fillets. If using frozen fillets, defrost them and pat them dry with paper towels. They should still be damp. You can use any firm, mild white fish, such as haddock, pollock, cod, halibut, flounder, or catfish. Thicker fish, like halibut or cod, may require a few extra minutes of cooking time.
Next, prepare your breading or seasoning. You can use a combination of flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs, or simply season the fish with your chosen spices. If breading the fish, dredge the fillets in flour, dip them in egg, and then coat them in breadcrumbs. Place the coated fillets in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before frying to ensure the breading adheres to the fish.
Now, you are ready to cook the fish in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F. Spray the fillets and the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil. Cook the fish in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can cause steaming and prevent crisping. Cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The fish is ready when it is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork.
Serve the crispy fish immediately with your choice of sides and sauces, such as tartar sauce, hot sauce, or lemon wedges. Enjoy!
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What to serve with air-fried fish
Air-fried fish is a quick, easy, and healthy meal option that can be served with a variety of sides and sauces. Here are some ideas for what to serve with your air-fried fish:
Sides
- Potato Sides: Air-fried fish can be served with potato sides such as fries, chips, or roasted potatoes.
- Vegetables: You can also pair it with various vegetables, either roasted, steamed, or fresh.
Sauces
- Tartar Sauce: Tartar sauce is a classic choice to serve with fish, providing a creamy and tangy flavor.
- Cocktail Sauce: Cocktail sauce offers a zesty and slightly spicy kick to your fish.
- Hot Sauce: For those who like it spicy, hot sauce can be a great addition.
- Lemon Wedges: Squeeze some lemon juice over your fish for a bright, zesty flavor.
- Remoulade Sauce: Remoulade sauce is another tasty option to pair with your air-fried fish.
Feel free to mix and match these sides and sauces to create a delicious and well-rounded meal!
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Frequently asked questions
Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep fat frying, as they require only a fraction of the oil. They are also faster and create less mess.
Any firm, mild white fish works well, including cod, haddock, pollock, halibut, flounder, whiting, and walleye. Thicker fish, such as tuna, will take longer to cook.
Yes, you can cook frozen fish directly in an air fryer without thawing. However, if you plan on breading your fish, it's best to let the fillets thaw first.
Depending on the thickness of the fillets, it should take between 10 and 20 minutes to cook fish in an air fryer.
Set your air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F. Thicker fillets may require a lower temperature to cook through, while thinner fillets can be cooked at higher temperatures.
