Air-Fried Fish: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Air fryers are a great way to make fried fish without the grease and mess of traditional frying methods. The air fryer's ability to cook food evenly and efficiently makes it perfect for achieving that crispy, golden texture on the outside, while keeping the inside soft and tender. This method is also healthier than deep-frying and can be used with a variety of white fish fillets, such as cod, tilapia, haddock, and pollock. The process is simple: coat the fillets in a mixture of your choice (a common option is flour, egg, and breadcrumbs), place them in the air fryer basket, and cook until the fish is flaky and cooked through.

How to make fried fish in an air fryer

Characteristics	Values
Fish	Any firm, mild white fish such as cod, pollock, haddock, halibut, flounder, whiting, or catfish
Oil	Olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil
Seasoning	Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, jerk seasoning, za'atar, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, or salt
Breading	Panko, cornmeal, breadcrumbs, or almond flour
Cooking time	10-15 minutes at 390-400°F (200°C)
Serving suggestions	Tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, hot sauce, lemon wedges, French fries, hush puppies, coleslaw, or Greek lemon potatoes

Choosing the right fish

Some popular options include:

Cod
Tilapia
Catfish
Pollock
Haddock
Hake
Whiting
Halibut
Flounder
Walleye

When selecting your fish, it's important to keep in mind the size of your air fryer basket. The fish should fit comfortably without overcrowding, as this will affect the crispness of the final product. If needed, cut the fillets into smaller pieces or cook the fish in batches.

Additionally, it's recommended to use fresh fish fillets for the best results. However, if using frozen fish, ensure they are completely thawed before seasoning and cooking.

With the right choice of fish and proper preparation, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and crispy air-fried fish.

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Preparing the fish

Air fryer fish can be made with any kind of white fish fillet, such as cod, tilapia, haddock, pollock, halibut, whiting, or catfish. The fillets should be around 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick. If using frozen fish, ensure they are completely defrosted before cooking.

For the breading, you can use either homemade or store-bought dried breadcrumbs. Mix the breadcrumbs with your choice of seasonings. Some common seasonings include onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, Old Bay, or Italian herb blend. You can also add an egg to the breading mixture to help it stick to the fish.

Before coating the fish, pat it dry with paper towels, and leave it slightly damp. Then, place the fish fillets in a Ziplock bag with the seasoning and shake until the fillets are fully covered. You can also dip the fillets in the flour, followed by the egg, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture, shaking off any excess after each step.

Once the fish is coated, place the fillets on a baking rack to allow any excess flour or breadcrumbs to fall off. You can also tap the fillets gently to remove any excess coating.

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Making the coating

Firstly, you'll want to prepare your flour, egg, and breadcrumb or cornmeal stations. For the flour, simply place it in a shallow bowl or dish. For the egg, whisk it in a separate bowl until very well blended. You can add a little water to the egg if you like, to make the mixture go further. For the breadcrumbs, place these in a third bowl and mix in your chosen seasonings. You can use store-bought or homemade dried breadcrumbs, or cornmeal, and season with anything you like, such as paprika, onion or garlic powder, black pepper, salt, or an Italian herb blend.

Now you have your stations set up, it's time to coat the fish. Take each fillet and coat it first in the flour, then in the egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs. Make sure the fish is fully coated at each stage and shake off any excess before moving on to the next step.

Once your fish fillets are coated, you can place them in the air fryer, making sure they are not overcrowded, as this will prevent them from crisping up. Give the tops a light spray with cooking spray or oil, and they're ready to cook!

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Cooking the fish

Now that your fish is prepared, it's time to cook it in the air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend cooking fish in the air fryer at temperatures between 390°F (200°C) and 400°F.
Place the fish in the air fryer basket: Ensure that the fish fillets are in a single layer and not overcrowded. If needed, cook the fish in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can cause steaming instead of frying.
Lightly grease or spray the fish: Before cooking, you can lightly mist the fish with cooking spray or brush it with oil. This helps to ensure a crispy exterior.
Cook the fish: Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for the recommended time. The cooking time will vary depending on the type and thickness of your fish. For thinner fillets, 7-10 minutes per side might be sufficient. Thicker fillets may require 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Flip the fish halfway through: To ensure even cooking, it's a good idea to flip the fish fillets halfway through the cooking process. This will help you achieve a nice golden colour on both sides.
Check for doneness: Your fish is likely done when it's golden brown and flakes easily with a fork. You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 145°F for safe consumption.
Serve immediately: Fried fish is best enjoyed fresh out of the fryer! Serve it with your choice of sides and sauces, such as tartar sauce, lemon wedges, hot sauce, or coleslaw.

By following these steps, you'll be able to cook delicious, crispy fried fish in your air fryer with minimal oil and mess. Enjoy your homemade fried fish!

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Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air-fried fish. Here are some suggestions:

Sauces and Condiments

You can serve the fish with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, hot sauce, or lemon wedges. You can also serve it with remoulade sauce or ranch dip on the side.

Sides

Air-fried fish pairs well with potato and vegetable sides. Some specific suggestions include French fries, potato wedges, coleslaw, Greek lemon potatoes, hush puppies, or a green salad. For a lighter option, serve it with a chickpea salad or cucumber, tomato, and avocado salad. If you're looking for something more filling, consider making mashed potato cakes or cheesy potato cakes.

Main Course Ideas

You can use the air-fried fish as a component of fish tacos or fish taco bowls. You can also serve it with homemade fries or roasted potatoes for a fish-and-chips experience.