Marianne Martinez
Walleye is a freshwater fish native to Canada and the Northern United States. It is a great source of protein and has a mild, sweet taste. Air frying is a healthy alternative to deep frying, and it can cook walleye to perfection in just 6 to 10 minutes. To make crispy air-fried walleye, you can bread the fish with a mixture of flour, egg, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, or coat it with crushed pork rinds. The air fryer's quick, high-temperature cooking method will give your walleye a crunchy texture without drying out the fish.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Walleye
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking Time | 6-10 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 145-165°F |
| Type of Fish | White Fish/Yellow Pike |
| Origin | Canada and the Northern United States |
| Taste | Mild, Sweet, Tender |
| Nutritional Info | 28g protein, 0 carbs, 1g fat (per 4oz) |
| Coating | Breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Pork Rinds, Flour, Egg |
| Seasoning | Cayenne, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Salt, Pepper |
| Sides | Tartar Sauce, Lemon Wedges, Rice, Potatoes, Vegetables |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the fish
Thawing and Drying: Start by thawing your walleye fillets completely. If they are frozen, you can either defrost them overnight in the fridge or leave them to thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours. Once thawed, pat the fillets dry with paper towels. This step is crucial, as any remaining moisture will release steam during cooking, making your breading soggy instead of crispy. Be gentle while patting the fish dry, as walleye is a tender fish.
Coating the Fish: In one shallow bowl, prepare your coating mixture. The exact ingredients for the coating may vary depending on your preferences, but here are some common options:
- Egg wash: Whisk an egg with a small amount of water in a bowl. You can also add a pinch of salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
- Flour: Place some all-purpose flour in another shallow bowl.
- Breadcrumbs: In a separate bowl, mix breadcrumbs with seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can use plain breadcrumbs or seasoned varieties like Italian herb-seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan cheese: Grate some Parmesan cheese and mix it with the breadcrumbs and seasonings.
Now, it's time to coat the fish. First, dip each walleye fillet in the flour, making sure it's evenly coated. Then, dip it into the egg wash, letting the excess drip off. Finally, press the fillet into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it's well-coated on all sides.
Frying the Fish: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While it's heating up, prepare the air fryer basket. Lightly spray it with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent the fish from sticking. Place the coated walleye fillets in the basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them to allow hot air to circulate. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this will cause the fish to steam instead of fry. Depending on the thickness of your fillets, you may need to cook in batches.
Now, you're ready to start frying! Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for about 10 minutes. For thicker fillets or if you're using a convection oven, you may need to increase the cooking time. Check the internal temperature of the fish; it should reach 145°F (63°C) or 165°F (74°C) for well-done. The fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.
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Coating the fish
Defrosting and Drying:
Start by completely defrosting your walleye fillets. It is best to use fresh fillets, but if they are frozen, you can leave them on the counter for a couple of hours to thaw. Once thawed, pat the fillets dry with paper towels. This step is crucial, as any remaining moisture will cause the breading to become soggy. Be gentle, as walleye is a tender fish.
Preparing the Egg Wash:
Crack an egg into a medium-sized bowl and whisk it. You can add a small amount of water to the egg to create an egg wash. Season the egg wash with salt and pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as paprika or cayenne pepper, to enhance the flavour. Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined.
Preparing the Breading:
In a separate bowl, prepare the breading mixture. You can use plain breadcrumbs, or for extra flavour, try Italian herb-seasoned breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs. Combine the breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed. You can also add crushed pork rinds to the breading mixture for a unique crunch and zing.
Coating the Fillets:
Dip each walleye fillet into the egg wash, ensuring both sides are coated. Allow any excess egg to drip off, then dredge the fillet in the breading mixture. Make sure the fillet is completely coated on all sides. Gently press the breading onto the fish to ensure it adheres well. Place the coated fillets on a plate or tray, leaving some space between them to prevent overcrowding.
Final Steps:
Before placing the coated fillets in the air fryer, spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or olive oil to prevent sticking. You can also spray the tops of the coated fillets with oil for added crispness. Now your walleye fillets are ready to be placed in the air fryer and cooked to perfection!
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Cooking the fish
First, prepare your walleye fillets. If they are frozen, it is best to defrost them before cooking. Defrosting in the fridge overnight is best, but a couple of hours on the counter at room temperature is also fine. Fish defrosts pretty quickly compared to meat. If your fillets have skin, you can choose to remove it with a nonserrated knife, but it can also be left on and will be soft enough to eat when cooked, as long as it is completely descaled. Pat the fillets dry with paper towels. If you are cooking more than two fillets, cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. The fish will not cook properly and will be steamed instead of fried.
Next, prepare your coating. In one bowl, whisk an egg with some water to create an egg wash. In a separate bowl, combine your coating ingredients. You can use a mixture of breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. You can also add paprika and Italian herbs to the mixture.
Dip each fillet into the egg wash, letting the excess drip off, and then press it into the coating mixture. Make sure the fish is well-coated on all sides. You can also coat the fillets in flour before dipping them in the egg wash, for a 3-step coating process.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the coated fillets in the basket in a single layer, leaving about an inch of space around each fillet for the air to flow. Lightly spray the tops of the fillets with olive oil as well.
Air fry at 375-400°F for 9-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Thinner fillets will cook faster and more evenly, so consider slicing thicker fillets horizontally before coating. Flip the fillets halfway through for even browning, and check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The fish is done when the internal temperature reaches 145-165°F and the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Remove the fillets from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, and garnishes such as freshly chopped parsley or green onions. Enjoy!
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Serving suggestions
Walleye is a mild, sweet, and tender freshwater fish native to Canada and the Northern United States. Its mild flavour makes it ideal for fish fries, allowing the breading and seasonings to stand out.
When cooked in an air fryer, the dish is a healthy alternative to deep-fried preparations, offering a crunchy, crispy texture without the oil. The air fryer also ensures the fish doesn't dry out, retaining its moisture.
Once cooked, you can serve the air fryer walleye with tartar sauce, hot sauce, or lemon wedges on the side. It can be enjoyed as part of a simple dinner with rice or potatoes and vegetables, or as fish tacos.
For a complete meal, serve the fish with a side of creamy coleslaw, potato chips, or French fries. You can also pair it with a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or pasta.
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Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time and temperature for air-fried walleye depend on the type of air fryer you have, the thickness of the fillets, and whether the walleye is fresh or frozen. Most air fryers are smaller and heat up quicker and hotter, while convection ovens are usually larger and take longer to heat up. If you are using a convection oven, you can use the baking setting or air fryer setting, adding 1-2 minutes to the cooking time if using the baking setting.
If you are using frozen walleye fillets, you should completely defrost them before cooking. Defrosting in the fridge overnight is preferable, but a couple of hours on the counter at room temperature is also fine.
The ideal cooking temperature for air-fried walleye is between 375°F and 400°F. The cooking time can range from 6 minutes to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. If you are cooking frozen fillets, you may need to increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes. It is important to ensure that the walleye is cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F.
For example, if you are cooking two fillets in a countertop air fryer, you can cook them for 15 minutes. If you are using an air fryer basket, you can cook the walleye for 10 minutes, flip it, and then cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the walleye is golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 6 minutes in the air fryer to cook the fillets perfectly, but you should add an extra 2-3 minutes if the fillets are frozen. After air frying, the internal temperature should be 145°F (63°C).
The air fryer should be set to 375°F (190°C).
If your fillets are frozen, defrost them either overnight in the fridge or for a few hours at room temperature. Then, pat the fillets dry with paper towels and, if necessary, slice off the skin using a non-serrated knife.
First, dip the fillets in flour, then in egg wash, and finally in your chosen breadcrumbs. You can add seasonings such as paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper to the breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Place the fillets in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap, and lightly spray the tops with oil. Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the fillets and air fry for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.
