Air-Fryer Grouper: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Grouper is a mild white fish that is available year-round in the United States and can be cooked in an air fryer in under 20 minutes. It is a simple recipe that involves coating the fillets with oil, breadcrumbs, and seasoning, and cooking them in an air fryer basket. The air fryer basket should not be overcrowded to allow the hot air to circulate and cook the food properly. The fish is cooked when it flakes apart easily.

Air Fryer Grouper

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It allows the appliance to reach the desired temperature before you put the food inside, ensuring even and efficient cooking. Here is a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for cooking grouper:

• Set the temperature: Adjust the temperature dial or buttons on your air fryer to reach the desired temperature. Different recipes may call for different temperatures, but for cooking grouper, you typically want to preheat your air fryer between 360 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Timing: Once you've set the temperature, allow the air fryer to preheat for approximately 5 minutes. This timing ensures that the appliance reaches the desired temperature and gives the heating elements time to warm up adequately.
• Prepare the basket: While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the air fryer basket. Spray the basket with a non-stick cooking spray or line it with air fryer liners or parchment paper. This step helps prevent the grouper from sticking to the basket and makes clean-up easier.
• Temperature consistency: Keep in mind that opening the air fryer during the preheating process can cause heat to escape, affecting the temperature inside. Try to avoid opening the air fryer basket unnecessarily during this 5-minute preheating period to maintain temperature consistency.

By following these steps, you'll ensure that your air fryer reaches the optimal temperature for cooking grouper, resulting in a delicious and evenly cooked dish.

Season the grouper

Seasoning the grouper is a key step in cooking this fish in an air fryer. It's a simple process that can be done in a few different ways, depending on your preferences. Here's a step-by-step guide to seasoning grouper for air frying:

Firstly, if you're using frozen grouper fillets, it's important to thaw them first. You can do this by leaving the fish on the counter for about an hour or by defrosting it overnight in the fridge. This step ensures that your fish cooks evenly and that any seasonings or coatings you apply adhere well to the fish.

Once your grouper fillets are thawed, pat them dry with paper towels. Removing any excess moisture will help the seasonings stick to the fish and promote even cooking. You can also lightly coat the fillets with oil on both sides, which acts as a base for the seasonings and helps with browning.

Now it's time to apply the seasonings. You can use a variety of seasonings, depending on your taste preferences. Some popular options include salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper for a kick of spice. You can also use a pre-made seasoning mix like Louisiana Seasoned Fish Fry or create your own mix with herbs and spices such as basil, paprika, and powdered garlic. If you want to keep it simple, just a sprinkle of salt and pepper can go a long way.

After seasoning the grouper fillets, let them sit for a minute or two to allow the flavors to absorb into the fish. This step is important as it helps to infuse the grouper with flavor before it's cooked. You can also use this time to prepare the air fryer basket by lining it with lemon slices, which will not only add flavor but also prevent the fish from sticking.

For an extra crispy coating, you can bread the grouper fillets. Dip the seasoned fillets in an egg wash, then coat them with breadcrumbs. You can use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs, depending on your preference. This step will give your grouper an extra crunchy texture when cooked in the air fryer.

Finally, if you're using an air fryer that requires preheating, set it to the desired temperature, typically between 360 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and preheat for about 5 minutes. This step ensures that your grouper cooks evenly and efficiently once it's placed in the air fryer.

Now your grouper is seasoned and ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Remember to cook it until it's flaky and reaches an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit for food safety. Enjoy your delicious and flavorful air-fried grouper!

Cook the grouper

To cook the grouper, start by patting the fillets dry with paper towels and leaving them to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. If your fillets are frozen, you should defrost them first. You can do this by leaving the fish on the counter for about an hour or by defrosting it in the fridge overnight.

Next, lightly coat the fillets with oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper. If you want a breaded texture, coat the fillets with breadcrumbs after seasoning with salt and pepper. You can use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs, or even panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch.

Preheat your air fryer to between 360 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay the bottom of the air fryer basket with lemon slices to prevent the fish from sticking. Place the seasoned fillets in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between them to allow for proper air circulation.

You can check if the fish is fully cooked by using an instant meat thermometer. It should show an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit for a fully cooked fish.

Serve with sides

There are many side dishes that go well with air-fried grouper. The fish is mild in flavor and cooks quickly in the air fryer, making it a versatile main course.

One option is to serve the grouper with a dipping sauce. Tartar sauce, remoulade sauce, and Thai peanut sauce are all good choices. If you want something spicy, try a Cajun remoulade or a spicy aioli. Horseradish dip is another option, and it goes well with lemon slices. You can also serve the grouper with a simple lemon butter sauce.

For a complete dinner, serve the grouper with creamy mashed potatoes and air-fried vegetables. If you have tortillas, you can make grouper tacos. You can also serve the fish with a fresh garden salad. Chopped tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, bell peppers, cilantro, and olive oil make a great combination. Rice, roasted vegetables, and corn on the cob are also good side dish options.

Store leftovers

Storing leftovers of your delicious air-fried grouper is simple and will ensure your meal stays fresh and tasty for another day.

Firstly, it is important to note that you should only keep leftovers of grouper in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. After this time, it is not advisable to consume the fish. To store your leftovers, you can use either a plastic or glass container, or simply wrap the fish tightly in foil.

When it comes to reheating, you have options. You can use the air fryer again, which will help retain the crispy texture, or you can use a microwave if you prefer. It is recommended to only reheat the leftovers once, and ensure they are piping hot before consuming.

If you have a lot of leftovers, you could consider freezing the cooked grouper. However, this is not recommended as it may affect the texture and taste of the fish. Instead, it is better to freeze fresh, uncooked grouper. To do this, brush the fish with cajun oil and freeze for up to 3 months before cooking it when you're ready to eat it.

Frequently asked questions