Air-Fried Pollock Perfection: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to cook pollock fish, a mild-flavoured, versatile, and nutritious white fish. Air-fried pollock is a healthier alternative to deep-fried fish, as it requires little to no oil, while still achieving a crispy, golden texture. This method also helps retain the natural flavours and moisture of the fish. To make pollock fish in an air fryer, you will need pollock fillets, seasonings of your choice, and a few additional ingredients like olive oil, lemon, and bread crumbs. The cooking process is simple and quick, taking around 10-15 minutes, and resulting in a delicious and flaky seafood dish.

How to make a beer batter for Pollock fish

Beer-battered fish is a quintessential English pub dish, and while it may seem like a hassle to deep-fry at home, it is worth it and not as hard as you may think. Here is a simple guide on how to make a beer batter for Pollock fish:

Ingredients:

• 1½ pounds of Wild Alaska Pollock, cut into 4 pieces about 3/4-inch thick
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• Olive oil spray or mister
• 1 lemon, sliced into 4 wedges
• Prepared tartar sauce and/or coleslaw (optional)
• Beer

Method:

• Spray the air fryer basket with oil, place it back into the fryer, and preheat to 400°F for 5 minutes.
• In a mixing bowl, make the beer batter by mixing ½ cup flour, cornstarch, baking soda, egg, and beer. Cover and place the mixture in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
• Pat the pollock fillets with a paper towel and set them aside on a plate.
• While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the potatoes and place them in the air fryer basket to cook.
• While the chips are cooking, prepare the fish by removing the beer batter from the refrigerator. In another mixing bowl, mix the remaining 1 cup of flour, garlic and onion powder, Old Bay, and paprika.
• Dip each fish piece into the beer batter and cover, then dredge in the flour mixture and coat well.
• Place the fish in the air fryer basket and spray generously with oil to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.
• Cook the fish for 12 minutes or until cooked through and crispy.
• Serve the beer-battered Pollock with sweet potato chips, a lemon wedge, and tartar sauce or coleslaw, if desired.

Tips:

• For the beer, a light lager or pale ale is best. Avoid bitter IPAs, heavy stouts, and sharp sours.
• Ensure the beer is ice-cold as this will help the fish puff up and become crispy when it comes into contact with the hot oil.
• To prevent the batter from falling off, ensure the fish is dry before dipping it into the beer batter. You can also dredge the fish in cornstarch or rice flour before dunking it in the batter.
• For a healthier option, use an olive oil spray or mister instead of brushing or tossing the fish in oil.

How to cook frozen Pollock in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Frozen pollock fillets
• Salted butter (or oil)
• Sea salt flakes

Optional:

• Lemon slices
• Garlic cloves
• Black pepper
• White pepper
• Olive oil spray

Method:

• If your air fryer requires pre-heating, start this setting now.
• Melt one tablespoon of salted butter in a small bowl. This can be done in the microwave or in a small heatproof bowl in the air fryer.
• Remove any surface ice crystals by gently rinsing the pollock fillets under the tap.
• Dry the fillets thoroughly.
• Use your fingers to check for any rogue bones and remove them.
• Note: If your fillets are folded in on themselves, you can choose to unfold them, but it's not necessary. Folded fillets will cook more evenly.
• Use a pastry brush to coat the top and sides of the fillets with the melted butter.
• Sprinkle over half of the sea salt flakes, crushing them between your fingers as you sprinkle for an even coverage.
• Place the fillets into the air fryer, butter-side down. Leave a little space between each fillet so the air can circulate.
• Repeat the buttering and salting on the top of the fillets. Be careful not to catch your hands on the side of the hot basket. If you are using a non-basket air fryer, you can do this step beforehand.
• Cook for four minutes at 200°C. There is no need to turn the fillets.
• Be careful when removing the fillets from the fryer as they will be delicate. Serve hot.

Tips:

• For extra flavour, place lemon slices in the air fryer basket and put the fish fillets on top.
• For a garlic butter topping, melt the butter and add salt, freshly ground black pepper, lemon juice, and minced or chopped garlic. Cover the fish with about half of the mixture, then cook for four minutes. Brush the rest of the mixture on the pollock fillets and place back in the air fryer for another four minutes.
• Leave the fish skin on for more flavour and to keep the meat moist.
• To prevent the fish from sticking, line the basket of the air fryer with parchment paper, or lightly spray the bottom of the basket with oil.

How to prevent Pollock from sticking to the air fryer

To prevent pollock from sticking to the air fryer, you can use a few different methods. Firstly, you can line the basket of the air fryer with parchment paper or aluminium foil, which will not only prevent sticking but also make cleanup easier. You can also lightly spray the basket with oil or use an oil mister or brush to coat the pollock fillets before cooking. Lemon slices can also be placed in the basket first, with the fish fillets placed on top, to prevent sticking.

Additionally, you can use a small amount of oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil, to coat the fish fillets. This will help to promote browning and crisping while also reducing the likelihood of sticking. It is important to use oils with a high smoke point, such as refined avocado oil, almond oil, corn oil, or canola oil, as oils with lower smoke points may damage the air fryer.

How to season Pollock for the air fryer

Seasoning pollock fillets for the air fryer is a simple process that can be done in a few different ways. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to season pollock for the air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Fish

Start by rinsing the pollock fillets under cold running water to clean them, and then pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towels. If your pollock fillets are frozen, it is recommended to thaw them first, either by leaving them on a plate at room temperature for about an hour or by placing them in the fridge overnight.

Step 2: Choose Your Seasonings

You can choose from a variety of seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Here are some options:

• Salt and pepper: Classic seasonings to enhance the flavour of the fish.
• Garlic: Minced or chopped garlic cloves add a bold, savory flavour that pairs well with the light pollock meat.
• Lemon: Lemon slices can be placed in the air fryer basket before the fish, and lemon juice can be added to the seasoning mixture. Lemon helps to prevent the fish from sticking to the air fryer basket and adds a tangy flavour.
• Butter: Unsalted, slightly softened butter can be melted and mixed with the seasonings. Alternatively, you can use olive oil or avocado oil instead of butter.
• Spices: You can experiment with different spices like Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, paprika, onion powder, or garlic powder.

Step 3: Create a Marinade or Dry Rub

Combine your chosen seasonings in a small bowl and mix well. For a marinade, add a small amount of oil or melted butter to create a liquid mixture that can be brushed onto the fish. For a dry rub, simply mix the seasonings together and sprinkle or rub them onto the fish.

Step 4: Apply the Seasonings to the Fish

Brush the marinade evenly over both sides of the pollock fillets or sprinkle the dry rub generously over the fillets, making sure to coat them well. You can also try dipping the fillets in beaten egg before coating them with the seasoning or dry breadcrumbs.

Step 5: Cook the Seasoned Pollock in the Air Fryer

Place the seasoned pollock fillets in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Cook at a temperature between 360-400°F for 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. There is no need to flip the fillets during cooking. Once done, remove the fish from the air fryer and let it rest for a minute before serving.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of seasonings and spices to find your favourite flavour profile for air-fried pollock. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!

How to know when Pollock is cooked in the air fryer

There are a few ways to know when your pollock is cooked in the air fryer. Firstly, the fillets should be opaque and easily flake with a fork. You can also check by looking at the sides of the fillets to see if they are cooked through. If the sides are still translucent, the fish is not yet cooked. Finally, the cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fillets and the power of your air fryer, so it is important to keep an eye on the fish to ensure it is not overcooked.

Frequently asked questions