Cody Casey
Air fryers are a convenient and healthy way to cook fish, as they require very little oil. The air fryer's fan circulates hot air around the coated fish fillets, cooking them quickly and evenly. This method is perfect for those who enjoy fried fish but want a lighter, less greasy option. The key to achieving a crispy texture is to coat the fish in a mixture of cornmeal, flour, and seasonings before placing it in the air fryer. The cornmeal gives the fish a crunchy exterior, while the flour helps bind the coating to the fish. Various seasonings can be added to the mixture, such as Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, to enhance the flavour. The fish is then placed in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cooked for around 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. This easy recipe allows anyone to enjoy crispy, golden, and delicious fish at home without the mess and grease of traditional frying methods.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Fish in an Air Fryer with Cornmeal
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fish Type | Mildly flavored, flaky, white fish such as cod, catfish, tilapia, haddock, pollock, or mahi mahi |
| Fish Fillet Thickness | Around 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick; avoid thin strips |
| Fish Preparation | Fully thaw, pat dry, and cut into strips or fillets |
| Breading Station | Flour, egg, and cornmeal mixture |
| Cornmeal Type | Medium to fine grit, gluten-free if needed |
| Seasonings | Paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Cajun or creole seasoning |
| Oil | Spritz or light coating of high-heat oil like olive or avocado oil |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 380-400°F |
| Air Fryer Time | 8-15 minutes, flipping halfway through |
| Fish Doneness | Golden brown and flakes easily with a fork |
| Serving Suggestions | Tartar sauce, lemon wedges, parsley, hot sauce, or fries |
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What You'll Learn
Fish fillet preparation
Once the fish is thawed, pat it dry with a paper towel. This step is important as it helps the coating adhere to the fish. Next, prepare a dredging mixture. This can be a simple combination of cornmeal and flour, or you can add seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to the mixture for added flavor. You can also add an egg to the mixture or dip the fish in egg before coating to help the cornmeal mixture stick. Dip each fish fillet into the dredging mixture, ensuring it is fully coated, and shake off any excess.
Alternatively, you can create a wet batter by combining mayonnaise, lemon juice, and seasonings, and tossing the fish fillets in this mixture before coating them in the cornmeal mixture. This will create a crispy and flavorful crust.
Once the fish fillets are coated, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each fillet to ensure even cooking and crispness. Depending on the thickness of the fillets and the model of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fish in batches. Spritz the fillets lightly with oil to help them brown and crisp.
Air fry the fish at a temperature between 380°F and 400°F for 8 to 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. The fish is ready when it is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork. Serve immediately with your choice of sides and sauces, such as tartar sauce, hot sauce, or lemon wedges.
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Coating the fish
To coat the fish, you can follow a few simple steps. Firstly, pat the fish dry. This is an important step as it helps the coating stick to the fish. Next, dredge the fish in flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the fish into a bowl of whisked eggs, again letting any excess drip back into the bowl. Finally, roll the fish in a cornmeal mixture. This cornmeal mixture can be made up of cornmeal, flour, and seasonings such as paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. You can also add breadcrumbs to this mixture for an extra crispy texture. Make sure the fish is well coated on both sides, and then it's ready for the air fryer!
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Cooking the fish
Next, prepare the dredging mixture. This can be a simple cornmeal and flour mix with some garlic powder, or a more complex blend of cornmeal, flour, mayonnaise, Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. You can also add an egg-based sauce to help the cornmeal crust stick to the fish. If you are using eggs, dip the fish in the egg mixture, allowing the excess to drip off, before pressing the fish into the cornmeal mixture. Alternatively, you can dip the fish in flour, then egg, and finally, a seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
Once the fish is coated, spritz it lightly with oil or cooking spray, or brush the fillets with oil to prevent the coating from falling off during cooking. Place the fish in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is space between the fillets so that they cook evenly and get crispy. Set the air fryer to 380°F to 400°F and cook for 8-15 minutes, flipping the fish halfway through. The fish is ready when it is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork.
You can serve the fish with tartar sauce, hot sauce, or lemon wedges. It also goes well with a side of fries, slaw, or roasted vegetables.
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Making a sauce
There are several sauces that go well with cornmeal-crusted fish cooked in an air fryer. Tartar sauce is a popular choice, and you can make it yourself by stirring together mayonnaise, pickle relish, onion, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt. You can also make a homemade seafood seasoning salt by combining black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, celery salt, onion powder, cayenne, turmeric, and salt. This seasoning mix can be added to your cornmeal dredge or used as a dry rub on the fish before cooking.
Another option is to make a remoulade sauce, which is a creamy, tangy sauce that pairs well with fried fish. You can also serve the fish with cocktail sauce, hot sauce, or simply enjoy it as is. If you're looking for something more unique, you can try making a secret sauce by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, and a splash of lemon juice.
Additionally, lemon wedges are a great choice to serve with the fish, as the citrus can help to cut through the richness of the cornmeal crust. You can also serve the fish with a side of fries, which can be cooked in the air fryer alongside the fish.
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Reheating the fish
If you need to reheat the fish, it is best to do so in the oven. First, preheat your oven to 475 F. Then, place a rack inside and put the cornmeal-coated fish on it. Reheat for 10 minutes. It is important to note that reheated fish will not taste the same as freshly cooked fish. Therefore, it is best to eat the fish on the same day it is cooked.
If you are using an air fryer, follow the same instructions as above but adjust the temperature to 400 F. Reheat the fish for 5-7 minutes or until it is cooked through.
To ensure the cornmeal coating sticks to the fish and gets crispy, make sure the fish is fully thawed and patted dry before reheating.
You can also use a microwave to reheat the fish. Place the fish on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, depending on the power of your microwave.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking fish in an air fryer with cornmeal is simple and easy. First, pat the fish dry and cut it into strips. Next, dip the fish in flour, egg, and cornmeal. You can season the cornmeal with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning. Finally, place the fish in the air fryer and cook at 380°F to 400°F for 10 to 20 minutes.
It is best to use a firm, mildly-flavored white fish that is moderately thin. Good options include cod, catfish, flounder, whiting, tilapia, haddock, pollock, halibut, or mahi mahi.
The fish is done cooking when it is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork.
You can serve the fish with tartar sauce, hot sauce, remoulade, or lemon wedges. It also goes well with fries, roasted vegetables, or a slaw.
Yes, you can cook the fish in an oven. Preheat the oven to 475°F and place the cornmeal-coated fish on a shallow baking pan that has been sprayed with oil. Bake for 10 minutes and serve immediately.
