Air-Fried Red Snapper: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Red snapper is a versatile fish that can be grilled, baked, or poached, and is also great in salads or tacos. It is a low-calorie, low-carb, and low-fat protein source rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It can be cooked in an air fryer in under 20 minutes, making it a convenient option for a lighter meal. The air fryer's dry circulating heat cooks the fish evenly, forming a golden brown crust while keeping the inside tender.

Choosing and preparing your fish

Choosing Your Fish:

When purchasing red snapper, opt for fresh fillets or a whole fish with firm, shiny flesh and a natural metallic glow in colour. The "red" in red snapper refers to the lovely pinkish colour of the fish's scales, and its intriguing red eye colour. It is a member of the redfish family and can be found in salt and freshwater.

Preparing Your Fish:

If you've chosen a whole fish, ask your fishmonger to gut and scale it, or do it yourself. Here are the steps to clean and prepare your whole red snapper:

• Place the fish in a medium-sized bowl with cold water.
• Squeeze lime or lemon juice and a pinch of salt over the fish in the bowl. Use your hands to wash the fish with the citrus water.
• Rinse the fish directly under the tap, using a colander if needed.
• Rub the lime or lemon halves on the outside and inside cavity of the fish, then give it a final rinse.
• Blot and dry the fish thoroughly with a kitchen towel.
• Use a sharp knife to make 3-4 diagonal scores on each side of the fish, being careful not to cut too deep into the cavity.
• Trim off the dorsal/pectoral fins and tail with kitchen scissors, then discard them.

For fillets, simply rinse them under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel before cooking.

Seasoning Your Fish:

You can get creative with the seasonings for your red snapper. Here are some common options:

• Seafood seasoning: Combine it with lime or lemon juice and olive oil to form a paste, adjusting the flavour with additional salt and pepper as needed.
• Cajun or blackened seasoning: Mix paprika, cayenne pepper, white pepper, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, and oregano.
• Simple dry seasonings: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon pepper.

Coat the fish with your chosen seasoning mixture, or dip the fillets in melted butter before coating for extra flavour and moisture.

Now that you've chosen and prepared your fish, it's time to move on to the cooking process. Stay tuned for the next set of instructions on how to cook your red snapper in the air fryer!

Making a seasoning mix

For a simple seasoning mix, you can use a combination of salt, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. You can also add paprika and oregano for a more complex flavour profile. If you want to add a little heat, include some cayenne pepper. For a Caribbean twist, try a seafood seasoning mix with olive oil and lime juice. You can also add black pepper and pink salt to taste.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could even make your own seafood seasoning from scratch. One recipe includes garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, parsley and oregano.

Once you've made your seasoning mix, simply coat your snapper fillets in melted butter, then dip them in the seasoning.

Preheating the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It helps the outside of the fish cook evenly without overcooking the inside. Here is a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for red snapper:

• Turn on your air fryer and set the temperature to 375-400°F.
• Allow the air fryer to preheat for 3-5 minutes.
• While the air fryer is preheating, you can pat your red snapper fillets dry with a paper towel and brush both sides with avocado oil or cooking oil spray.
• Sprinkle the fillets with salt and pepper or your desired dry seasonings.
• Once the air fryer has preheated, carefully place the seasoned fillets into the air fryer basket, ensuring there is enough space between each piece.
• Set the timer for the desired cooking time, usually around 10 minutes, and flip the fillets halfway through.
• Depending on the thickness of your fillets, you may need to cook them for an additional 3-5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

By following these steps, you will ensure that your air fryer is properly preheated, and your red snapper will have a better chance of cooking evenly and developing a crispy texture.

Squeezing lemon juice on the fish

Lemon juice can also help to tenderise the meat, making it juicier and more flavourful. In addition, the acid in the lemon juice can help to kill off any bacteria or microorganisms that may be present on the fish, ensuring that it is safe to eat.

If you are using frozen fish, it is best to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. This will help the fish cook more evenly and stay tender.

When preparing the fish, you can either squeeze lemon juice directly onto the fillets or place thin slices of lemon on top of each fillet before placing them in the air fryer. You can also lay lemon slices in the air fryer basket first and then place the seasoned fish on top, which will prevent the fish from sticking and add flavour.

Some people believe that lemon juice helps dissolve fish bones if they are accidentally swallowed, but this is not true as lemon juice is not strong enough to do so. However, lemon juice can help to disguise the taste of fish that is not very fresh.

Overall, adding lemon juice to your red snapper is a great way to enhance the flavour and ensure the safety of your dish.

Cooking the fish

The first step in cooking the red snapper is to prepare the fish. If you are using a whole fish, you will need to gut and scale it. You can ask your fishmonger to do this for you if you prefer. Then, place the fish in a medium-sized bowl with some cold water and squeeze lime and salt over it. Wash the fish with the citrus water and then rinse it off under the tap. Rub lime on the outside and the cavity of the fish, and then give it a final rinse. Blot and dry the fish with a kitchen towel.

Next, use a sharp knife to make 3-4 diagonal scores on each side of the fish, leaving 3-4 cm between each line. Be careful not to slice too deep into the cavity. Use kitchen scissors to trim off the dorsal/pectoral fins/tail and then discard.

Now it's time to make the seasoning. In a small bowl, combine your chosen seasoning (a simple mix of salt, lemon pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne works well) with lime juice and olive oil to form a paste. Adjust the seasoning to your taste and add a little water if you want to thin the paste out.

Use your hands or a pastry brush to apply the wet rub to the inside and outside of the fish. Then, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and place the fish inside. You may need to cook each fish separately, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Set your air fryer to 375-400°F and cook the fish for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through. The fish is done when it is golden brown with crispy edges and flakes easily with a fork.

To check if the fish is cooked, you can also use a kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature. The reading should be anywhere from 125 to 137°F.

Once the fish is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately. Red snapper goes well with a simple garden salad or a bowl of rice.

Frequently asked questions