Air-Fried Walleye: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Air fryers are a great way to cook walleye, giving it a crispy texture. To cook walleye in an air fryer, you'll need to preheat the fryer, coat the fish in an egg wash and then dip it in breadcrumbs. You can also add seasonings such as Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent the fish from sticking, then place the fish inside and cook for around 10 minutes. Flip the fish and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until it's golden brown.

How to prepare the air fryer

To prepare the air fryer, start by preheating it to 375°F (190°C). While it's heating up, pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If the walleye fillets are very thick, consider slicing them horizontally to create thinner fillets, which will cook more evenly.

Next, prepare the breading mixture. In a shallow bowl, combine grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk together an egg and some water to create an egg wash.

Now, it's time to coat the walleye. Dip each fillet into the egg wash, letting any excess drip off, and then press it into the breading mixture. Make sure the fish is well-coated on all sides by lightly pressing the mixture onto the surface.

Finally, lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or another type of oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the coated walleye inside, leaving about an inch of space around each fillet for air to flow.

How to prepare the walleye

To prepare the walleye, start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating, pat the fish dry with paper towels. If the walleye are very thick, consider slicing them horizontally to create thinner fillets, which will cook more evenly. In a shallow bowl, whisk together an egg and some water to create an egg wash. Dip each walleye into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off, and then press it into the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure the walleye is well-coated on all sides, pressing lightly to ensure the coating adheres.

The breadcrumb mixture can be made by combining grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Alternatively, you can use Panko breadcrumbs.

How to coat the walleye

To coat the walleye, start by whisking an egg with some water to create an egg wash. Dip each piece of fish into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, press the fish into a mixture of breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Make sure the fish is well-coated on all sides, pressing lightly to ensure the coating adheres. You can also use Panko breadcrumbs for a crispier texture.

How to cook the walleye

First, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). If your walleye fillets are very thick, consider slicing them horizontally to create thinner fillets, which will cook more evenly. In a shallow bowl, whisk together an egg and some water to create an egg wash. Dip each walleye fillet into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off, and then press it into a mixture of Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Make sure the walleye is well-coated on all sides.

Next, lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the coated walleye in the basket in a single layer, leaving at least an inch of space for air to flow, and lightly spray the tops of the fillets with more olive oil. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the walleye for 9-10 minutes. Flip the fillets and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the fish is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).

Remove the walleye from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, and freshly chopped parsley on the side.

How to serve the walleye

To serve the walleye, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. You can serve it with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, and chopped green onions on top. For an extra burst of flavour, garnish with freshly chopped parsley. If you want to make your own tartar sauce, you can follow a quick and easy recipe while the walleye cooks. You can also make the walleye without breading. To do this, simply dip the fish in egg, shake, and then drag it through breadcrumbs.

Frequently asked questions