Air-Fried Sea Bass: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Sea bass is a versatile fish that can be cooked in a variety of ways, but air frying is one of the quickest and easiest methods. It's also healthier than deep frying and gives you a tender, flaky fish with a crispy skin. You can use the air fryer to cook a whole fish or just the fillets, and it's suitable for frozen sea bass too.

How to make sea bass in an air fryer from frozen

Firstly, take your frozen sea bass fillets and run them under the tap to deglaze. Then, pat the fillets dry with paper towels. Next, mix your choice of seasonings and/or marinade in a bowl. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or get creative with spices, herbs, and citrus juices. Brush the marinade all over the fillets.

Now it's time to cook the fish! Place the fillets skin side down in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. Set the air fryer to 190˚C / 390˚F and cook for around 10 minutes. You don't need to preheat the air fryer or flip the fillets during cooking. The fish is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 63˚C / 145˚F.

You can serve the sea bass with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, rice, potatoes, or salad. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!

How to make sea bass in an air fryer without the skin

Ingredients:

• 2 sea bass fillets
• 3 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Method:

• Pat the sea bass fillets dry with kitchen paper towels.
• Juice and zest the lemon.
• Add the onion powder, garlic powder, lemon juice, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl with the olive oil. Mix together until combined.
• Use a pastry brush to coat both sides of the fish with the marinade.
• Place the fillets skin side down in the air fryer (no need to pre-heat) and cook for 5-6 minutes at 190˚C / 390˚F until the fish is cooked throughout and has reached an internal temperature of 63˚C / 145˚F.
• Remove from the air fryer with a fish slice, garnish with the lemon zest and serve immediately.

Tips:

• Keep an eye on the fish as it can overcook very quickly.
• Fish is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 63˚C / 145˚F. The easiest way to check this is with a meat thermometer.

Variations:

• Cajun Spiced: Mix together paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Pesto Topped: Spread some shop-bought pesto or no nut basil pesto over the sea bass, then sprinkle with breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
• Asian-Inspired Glaze: Combine soy sauce, honey, minced ginger, minced garlic, and a splash of sesame oil. Coat the sea bass fillets with the glaze and let them marinate for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
• Panko-Crusted: Dip the sea bass fillets in beaten egg (or brush on vegan mayo if you have an egg allergy), then coat them with seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Lightly spray or brush the fillets with oil before cooking for a crispy, brown, and crunchy finish.
• Chermoula: Coat the sea bass in a homemade chermoula spice blend for a Moroccan twist.

How to make whole sea bass in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Whole black sea bass (gutted and scaled)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Fresh rosemary
• Lemon

Method:

• Make sure your whole sea bass is gutted and scaled. If not, you'll need to do this yourself. To scale the fish, hold the end of it tightly and use the back of a chef's knife to quickly and firmly slide along the skin to remove the scales. Rinse the fish after scaling.
• Pat the fish dry with a paper towel.
• Rub the fish with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Stuff the cavity of the fish with lemon slices and rosemary.
• Place the fish in the air fryer basket. You will need a larger air fryer for this recipe.
• Air fry at 400°F for about 15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through. The flesh should be flaky and white, and the internal temperature should reach 145°F.
• Remove the lemon and rosemary before serving.

Tips:

• You can substitute rosemary with other fresh herbs like thyme or parsley, or omit it altogether.
• This recipe works best with smaller whole fish, so choose fish that are in season and/or locally sourced.
• If you're cooking from frozen, add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time.
• Sea bass is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. You can use a meat thermometer to check this.

How to make sea bass in an air fryer with a marinade

Ingredients

• 2 sea bass fillets
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Lemon
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Method

• Start by patting the sea bass fillets dry with a kitchen paper towel. This will help to remove any excess moisture from the fish and ensure a crispy texture.
• Prepare your marinade by mixing olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. You can also add other herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or dried parsley to the marinade.
• Using a pastry brush, generously coat both sides of the sea bass fillets with the marinade.
• Place the fillets skin-side down in the air fryer. There's no need to preheat the air fryer beforehand.
• Set the air fryer to 190˚C / 390˚F and cook the fish for approximately 5-6 minutes. Keep an eye on the fillets to avoid overcooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the fish. It is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 63˚C / 145˚F.
• Once the fish is cooked, carefully remove it from the air fryer basket and garnish with lemon zest or fresh herbs. Serve immediately for the best flavour and texture.

Tips:

• To achieve a crispy texture, it is important to pat the fillets dry before adding the marinade.
• Lightly spraying or brushing the fillets with oil can also help achieve a crispy, brown finish.
• If you can't find unwaxed lemons, scrub the skin with water to remove any wax before zesting.
• There is no need to flip the fillets during cooking. The air fryer will cook them evenly without turning.

How to make sea bass in an air fryer with a sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 sea bass fillets (skin-on, boneless)
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil
• Sauce of your choice (e.g. lemon dill sauce, chimichurri, mango salsa, etc.)

Optional Ingredients:

• Lemon juice
• Parsley
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dried herbs
• Dairy-free butter

Method:

• Start by patting the sea bass fillets dry with a paper towel. This helps to remove any excess moisture, ensuring a crispy texture.
• If desired, prepare the lemon by juicing and zesting it. You can use a lemon zester or the smallest holes on a box grater for zesting.
• In a small bowl, combine your chosen seasonings and/or herbs with olive oil and lemon juice (if using). Stir until well combined to create a marinade.
• Using a pastry brush, generously coat both sides of the sea bass fillets with the marinade.
• Place the fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket. There is no need to preheat the air fryer first.
• Set the air fryer to 375˚F-390˚F and cook for approximately 5-8 minutes. Keep an eye on the fish to prevent overcooking.
• The fish is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 140˚F-145˚F. You can use a meat thermometer to check.
• Once cooked, carefully remove the fillets from the air fryer and serve immediately with your chosen sauce.

Tips:

• To achieve a crispier texture, ensure the fillets are dry before adding any coating or seasoning.
• Lightly spray or brush the fillets with oil to promote browning and crispiness.
• If using butter, note that it has a lower smoking point than most fats, so it may not be the best choice for achieving a crispy texture.
• When cooking from frozen, rinse the fillets under cold water to remove surface frost, then dry them well before seasoning and cooking.

Frequently asked questions