Air-Fried Rockfish: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Cooking rockfish in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a healthy and delicious meal. It can be cooked from fresh, frozen, or partially thawed, and the cooking time will vary slightly depending on the state of the fish. The air fryer should be preheated to a temperature of around 400°F, and the fish can be seasoned with a variety of flavours, such as lemon, curry mayo, or butter. The cooking time is usually around 6 to 12 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

How to prepare rockfish for the air fryer

To prepare rockfish for the air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 360-400°F. If your rockfish is frozen, remove it from its packaging and rinse the fillets under cold running water until they are thawed enough to separate. If your rockfish is defrosted, you can skip this step. Pat the fillets dry on both sides using paper towels. Place the fillets in the air fryer basket and season with salt and pepper. You can also add a pat of butter to each fillet and some lemon slices for added flavour. If you want to add a curry mayo glaze, combine mayonnaise and curry powder in a small bowl and stir until well combined. Then, use a spoon to apply a generous coating of the mixture to the top of each fillet. Spritz the air fryer basket with cooking spray or lightly coat the bare side of the fillets with olive oil.

Air fryer temperature and cooking time

When cooking rockfish in an air fryer, the temperature and cooking time will depend on the recipe you are following.

If you are cooking rockfish with a curry mayo glaze, you should preheat your air fryer to 400° F. You should then place the rockfish fillets in the air fryer basket and cook for 6 minutes.

If you are following a simpler recipe, preheat your air fryer to 360° F for 3 to 5 minutes. Then, place your fish into the air fryer basket, season, and add a pat of butter to each fillet. You can also add lemon slices for added flavour. Air fry at 360° F for 6 to 12 minutes, or until the fish is cooked and flakes easily with a fork.

The cooking time will vary slightly depending on whether you are using fresh, frozen, or partially thawed fish fillets.

Seasoning and adding butter or olive oil

For a more flavourful dish, you can combine mayonnaise and curry powder in a small bowl and stir until well combined. Then, use a spoon to apply a generous coating of the mayo mixture to the top of each fillet. You can also add lemon slices to the air fryer for added flavour.

If you're cooking from frozen, be sure to rinse the fillets under cold running water until they're thawed enough to separate. Then, pat the rockfish fillets dry on both sides using paper towels. This step is important to ensure even cooking and prevent the fish from sticking to the air fryer basket.

Adding a curry mayo glaze

To cook rockfish in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. Place your fish into the air fryer basket, season with your seasoning, and add a pat of butter to each fillet. You can also add lemon slices for added flavour.

To add a curry mayo glaze to your rockfish, preheat your air fryer to 400°F and coat the basket or rack with some non-stick cooking spray. Pat the rockfish fillets dry, using some paper towels. Do this on both sides of the fish. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and curry powder and stir until it is well combined. Place the rockfish fillets in the prepared air fryer basket and use a spoon to apply a generous coating of the mayo mixture to the top of each fillet. You can also add a small pinch of kosher salt and some fresh ground pepper on top of each piece. Set the timer for 4 to 6 minutes and cook until the tops have browned and the rockfish flakes easily.

Serving suggestions

Rockfish cooked in an air fryer can be served with steamed rice, noodles, or vegetables. You can also add a wedge of lemon or lime to the side.

If you're looking for a sauce to accompany your rockfish, you could try a creamy curry mayo glaze. To make this, combine mayonnaise and curry powder in a small bowl and stir until well combined. You can then add a generous coating to the top of each fillet.

If you want to keep things simple, you can just add a pat of butter to each fillet and season with salt and pepper. Lemon slices can also be added for extra flavour.

Frequently asked questions