Ella Walter
Smelt fish is a delicious and healthy treat, packed with protein and low in fat. It can be cooked in an air fryer in under 20 minutes, making it a perfect, quick and easy weeknight dinner. This guide will take you through the simple steps to cook smelt fish in an air fryer, from preparation to serving. You'll be enjoying tasty, crispy, golden fish in no time!
Air Fryer Smelt Fish Recipe
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Fish | Smelt |
| Fish Size | Small |
| Fish Preparation | Gutted, cleaned, and dried |
| Flour | All-purpose flour |
| Seasoning | Salt, black pepper, garlic powder |
| Breadcrumbs | Italian seasoned breadcrumbs |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 390°F to 400°F |
| Cooking Time | 7-10 minutes |
| Serving Suggestions | Lemon wedges, tartar sauce, hot sauce, remoulade sauce |
| Leftovers | Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning and gutting the fish
Cleaning and gutting the smelt fish is a crucial step in preparing them for cooking in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure your fish are properly cleaned and gutted:
Scaling the Fish:
Start by placing the fish in a large sink or cleaning area. Hold the tail firmly in your non-dominant hand, lifting it so that the fish's body rests at a 45-degree angle. Using your dominant hand, hold the knife firmly and begin scraping the scales with the blunt side of the knife in long, hard swipes. Start from the tail and work your way towards the head. Flip the fish over and repeat the process for the other side. Rinsing the fish after scaling is recommended to prevent any loosened scales from finding their way into the abdominal cavity.
Gutting the Fish:
To gut the fish, locate the vent or a small opening near the bottom of the tail. Slide the tip of your knife into this opening and drag the blade toward the neck, stopping 1-2 inches beneath the mouth. This cut should go from the vent to the neck. Then, gently spread the stomach open and carefully pull out the guts and entrails.
Rinsing the Fish:
After gutting, it's essential to thoroughly rinse the fish to eliminate any remaining residue from the organs. Hold the fish under cold running water for at least one minute, ensuring that the water flushes through the abdominal cavity. You can use your hands or a spoon to rub the interior walls of the fish's body during this process.
Removing the Head (Optional):
If your smelt fish is larger than 6 inches, you may want to remove the head. Lay the fish flat on a cutting surface. Locate the gills and position your knife 1-2 inches behind them. With the blade facing downwards, turn the knife slightly towards the head. Brace the fish's body with your non-dominant hand and cut at a 15-degree angle down to the spine. Flip the fish over and make the same cut on the opposite side. If the head doesn't come off easily, grip it and twist it off gently.
Drying the Fish:
Once the cleaning and gutting process is complete, pat the fish dry with paper towels or a clean cloth. Your smelt fish are now ready for the next steps in your air fryer recipe!
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Preparing the flour and seasoning
Next, prepare your flour and seasoning mixture. You can use plain flour with a pinch of salt, or get creative with your seasonings. Some suggestions include Cajun seasoning, jerk seasoning, or za'atar. You can also add black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. Mix your chosen dry ingredients in a large zip-lock bag.
Now, you can add your fish to the bag. Close the bag and shake until the fish is fully coated. You can also dredge the fish in the flour mixture, ensuring the insides are coated too. Be sure to shake off any excess flour.
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Coating the smelt
To coat the smelt, start by cleaning the fish. Make a slit in the belly and gently pull out the guts. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and pat dry with paper towels. If your smelt is larger than 6 inches, remove the head.
Next, prepare your dredging mixture. In a large Ziplock bag, add flour, seasoned breadcrumbs, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder. You can use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs. For a lighter and more neutral flavor, opt for panko crumbs instead. Whisk the dry ingredients together until well combined.
Now, take each smelt and dredge it in the flour mixture, making sure it is well coated on the outside and inside the cavities. Shake off any excess flour from each fish, as too much flour can prevent a crispy crust from forming.
Finally, lightly spray the coated smelt with oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. This step will help ensure a crispy texture when cooked in the air fryer.
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Cooking the fish
Next, dredge the fish in flour, shaking off any excess. You can also add other seasonings to the flour, such as black pepper, garlic powder, or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. Make sure to coat the fish evenly on all sides. If you want a crispier crust, you can dip the fish in egg and then dredge it in panko or other breadcrumbs.
Now you are ready to air fry the fish. Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F (this should take about 3 minutes). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the fish in a single layer in the basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Cook the fish for 7-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. If your fish is thicker, you may need to cook it for a few minutes longer.
Once the fish is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and serve. Smelt can be eaten whole, but some people prefer to remove the head, skin, fins, and bones before eating. Serve with your choice of sides and sauces, such as lemon wedges, tartar sauce, hot sauce, or remoulade sauce. Enjoy!
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Reheating and storing leftovers
When it comes to storing your leftover fried smelt fish, it is recommended to place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. This will prevent other flavours or aromas from tampering with your fish. You can keep your leftovers in the fridge for up to three to five days.
Now, onto reheating. If you're short on time, the microwave is the quickest option, but you may lose some of that desirable crispiness. For optimal crispness, the air fryer is your best bet. Simply place your leftover fried smelt fish in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is no sauce or foil remaining on the fish. You can spray a bit of extra virgin olive oil on the fish. Set the air fryer to a medium-high heat, between 325 to 350°F, and cook for about six minutes. Remember to pause and flip the fish halfway through to ensure even heating and prevent one side from becoming crispy while the other side remains soggy.
If you're looking to reheat your smelt fish in the oven, you may find that it doesn't turn out as crispy as when it was freshly made.
For optimal taste, it is best to consume leftover fried fish the very next day.
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Frequently asked questions
First, clean the smelt fish by removing the head and guts. Then, rinse the fish and pat dry with a paper towel. Next, season the fish by placing it in a Ziplock bag with flour, seasoned breadcrumbs, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder. Shake the bag until the fish is fully coated. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the smelt in a single layer. Air fry at 390°F for 7-10 minutes.
To get the best results, ensure that you remove any excess flour from the fish before placing it in the air fryer. Also, do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will cause the fish to steam instead of fry. Spray the fish with oil halfway through cooking to increase crispiness.
The smelt fish is fully cooked when its internal temperature reaches at least 145°F. Use an instant meat thermometer to check the temperature.
