Air Fryer Fish is a deliciously flaky with a crunchy coating that's perfect for a meal, as a sandwich, or tossed into a salad!
Similar to the classic fish frying cooking process, the fillet will be tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Not to mention that air fryer fish the easiest recipe to make for dinner tonight! I love serving this with easy Air Fryer French Fries, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, or with a lovely Creamy Pesto Caprese Potato Salad!
There are many other air fryer recipes out there for fresh seafood, but this crispy cod recipe is going to give you the best flavor. I also love making cajun salmon in the air fryer, but that has a different taste. Turn this into a fish and chips recipe by adding some French fries to the Air fryer as well. This is one of the best air fryer fish recipes out there and it is perfect for delicate fillets. Depending on the thickness of your fillets, you can have this dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients needed:
These are the main ingredients you need for this flaky air fryer fish recipe. For the exact measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to our handy recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Cod fillets: Cut into strips of equal sizes.
- Large egg: Beaten.
- Panko bread crumbs
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- All-purpose flour
- Garlic powder
- Cajun seasoning
- Lemon wedges: For serving.
- Tartar sauce: For serving.
How to cook air fryer fish from scratch?
**scroll down for full ingredients list and printable directions**
- Dry and season: First, pat your fillets dry with a paper towel before using your favorite seafood seasoning on both sides. Spray olive oil onto each fillet, covering it completely for crispy fillets. This will help the breading stick.
- Separate ingredients: Then, put the panko, flour, and egg each into its own separate bowl.
- Make the breading: Next, mix garlic powder and Cajun seasoning with the panko well.
- Preheat: After, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Coat: Meanwhile, one at a time, press your fillets into the flour first, then the egg, and then into the panko mixture. The best way to do this is to shake each fillet after dipping it into each bowl. Then place into the air fryer.
- Cook: Immediately, place fillets into the basket, and lightly spray the outside of the fish with oil using and oil sprayer.
- Cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until fish pieces are golden brown. Flip gently after five minutes so both sides cook evenly. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fish.
- Serve: Lastly, remove and serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
Recipe variations:
- Cod or something else: This recipe for air fryer fish works for any type of white fish.
- Different oil: Rather than using oil, you can use mayonnaise for a base. It will not only help the breading stick, but it will also make them slightly creamy on the inside.
- More flavor: Add ¼ teaspoon of onion powder to your panko seasoning for more flavor.
- Fresh: For best results, use fresh fish fillets.
- Tilapia: Use fresh tilapia fillets for an air fryer tilapia recipe.
- Chili for Cajun: Chili powder will work well if you do not have any Cajun seasoning.
- Fish sticks: Cut fillets into thinner and smaller pieces to make air fryer fish sticks, perfect for dipping.
How to serve Air Fryer Fish:
You can serve this easy low calorie fish recipe for lunch, dinner, or a snack any time of the day. It is perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have much time to cook. Try one of these serving ideas or one of your own.
- Sprinkle fresh lime juice on top right before serving.
- Any seafood goes great with French fries.
- It is also popular to serve with hushpuppies.
- You could also use this recipe for air fryer fish tacos.
- Old Bay seasoning is a good choice for any kind of fried food.
- Serve with your favorite sauce such as tarter sauce, Big Mac Sauce, Copycat Zax Sauce, or even Homemade Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing!
Is frying in an air fryer healthier?
Cooking this fish in the air fryer is much healthier than deep frying because you do not use much oil. It is the hot oil you use when you deep fry that adds so much fat and grease. If this is your first time making crispy air fryer fish, you will notice less oil and less greasiness in your food for a better taste. Air frying is a great way to get that crispy texture without the deep fryer.
What is the best fish for the air fryer?
Any kind of white fish fillet will work but we like to use cod because it is a tender white fish with a delicate flavor. You can also try grouper, bass, tilapia, or haddock. Catfish is also a good choice, but you may want to soak it in milk first to get rid of the fishy taste.
How to store air fryer fish leftovers:
- Store: Wrap up your leftover fish in plastic wrap and then put into an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
- Freeze: You can also freeze your fish if you cannot eat it in four days. Wrap in plastic, put it in a freezer bag, and it will stay good in the freezer for up to three months.
- Thaw: Thaw frozen fish in the fridge overnight for best results.
- Reheat: Reheat in the fryer for one or two minutes. You may have to broil them for a couple of minutes for crispiness.
What type of Air Fryer should I use for this recipe?
There are many Air Fryers to choose from, but I love my PowerXL Vortex Air fryer! Here are some other great options:
- Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven, 6 Quart: 6-in-1, Broil, Roast, Dehydrate, Bake, Non-stick and Dishwasher-Safe Basket, Stainless Steel
- COSORI Air Fryer 5.8QT - Large Hot Electric Oven Oilless Cooker with 8 Quick Setting Recommendation
If you like using the air fryer as much as I do, checkout these other delicious recipes!
- Air Fryer Pork Chops are one of the crispiest and juiciest dishes you can make. These tender, bone-in chops with a golden Parmesan crust are ready in less than 30 minutes!
- Air Fryer Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts are going to be your new go-to side dish. Only a handful of ingredients and only 132 calories per serving!
- Air Fryer Asian Chicken Wings are the crispiest glazed wings ever! Done in less than 20 minutes, you'll never make wings another way again!
- Air Fryer Kale Chips are the easiest and most delicious Kale Chips! Made in just minutes and super healthy (63 calories per serving), these will be your go-to snack!
- Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos are perfectly crispy without any of the added oil from frying! They’re delicious, easy, and make the perfect quick meal or snack!
- Air Fryer Hot Dogs are perfectly ‘grilled’ in no time and with hardly any effort!
- Air Fryer Hamburgers are juicy every time, and done in less than 15 minutes with none of the mess!
Air Fryer Fish is a deliciously flaky with a crunchy coating that's perfect for a meal, as a sandwich, or tossed into a salad!
- 1 lb. cod cut into 4 strips
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- 1 large egg beaten
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- Lemon wedges
- Tartar sauce
- French fries
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Wash the fish fillets under cold water and after that pat dry with paper towels.
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Season on both sides with salt and pepper.
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Next, place flour in one shallow bowl, beaten egg to another.
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To the third shallow bowl add panko, Cajun seasoning, and garlic powder.
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Working one at a time, gently toss the fish in flour, then in the beaten egg, and finally in the panko mixture, pressing to coat.
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Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F.
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Working in batches, arrange the fish in the basket of your air fryer, spray lightly with oil spray, and cook for 6 minutes, then flip (and spraying again with oil spray to other side), and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes. Cook until fish is golden and flakes easily.
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Serve with lemon wedges, French fries and tartar sauce.
Recipe Video
Recipe tips:
- Be sure to put your fish in a single layer and cook in small batches. If you overcrowd it, the fish will steam instead of frying.
- The fish should be completely covered with olive oil spray so the panko breadcrumbs or flour mixture will stick.
- If you use frozen fish, wait until they are completely thawed out and patted dry with a paper towel before breading.
- Thinner fish will need to cook for less time. Be sure to adjust or it
Nutritional information per serving (not including toppings): 267 calories, 2g fat, 37g carbohydrate, 5g fiber, 25g protein. 6WW points per serving.
Alicia
Absolutely delicious and saves SO many calories by using the air fryer! I loved the seasoning on the crispy coating!
wilhelmina
The air fryer is the perfect way to cook fish! It turns out so perfect every single time!
Kara
So crispy and flavorful! My husband and I had ours with lemon juice, the kids dipped theirs in tartar sauce. Everyone was happy. 🙂
Beth
This is fantastic. I love being able to get all the flavor and texture of fried fish without all the grease and mess.
Amanda
Cooked to absolute perfection. Amazing recipe!
Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert
This is genius! My family would love this!
Catalina
Love this fish dish! It's crispy and it's healthy! The best!
Juliane
Looks really crunchy!! Would try this for our dinner later!
Sandra
I totally agree!! This is so perfect!! Everyone at my house enjoyed it!