Air Fryer Fish

Cod fillets are first dipped in flour, then egg, followed by a seasoned panko breadcrumb mixture for the perfect bit of crunch in this tender and flaky air fryer fish recipe! All of which is done in under 25 minutes total.

Why this recipe works

Making air fryer fish is really easy. Although I love a good beer battered fish dinner, making fish in the air fryer eliminates a LOT of excess oil. You’ll have tender, flaky, cod fillets with a crispy golden panko exterior in just 12 minutes of bake time.

Related Recipe – Baked Orange Roughy

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

FISH – We are using cod fillets, but you can substitute with haddock, tilapia, halibut, walleye, or pollock. Just be sure to grab fillets that are around the same weight as the cod in this recipe (5 – 6 oz each fillet). Otherwise, you may need to adjust the cook time. If you only have frozen fillets, you’ll definitely want to thaw them completely before beginning as frozen fillets won’t stick to flour, egg, and panko!

SEASONING – The seasoning is the fun part. Feel free to play with the spices in the panko mixture to make it your own. You can use store-bought seafood seasonings like a cajun blend or Old Bay seasoning, or simply add a dash or two of cayenne pepper in our seasoning mix if you want a bit of spice.

How to Make Air Fryer Fish

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Add the panko, paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper to a wide, shallow bowl, and stir to combine.
2. Lightly beat the eggs in a second shallow bowl.
3. Lastly, add the flour to a third shallow bowl.
4. Pat the fish dry. Dredge each fish fillet first in flour, then in egg, and then in the panko mixture.
5. Drizzle 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil on the top of the breaded fish fillets.
6. Brush the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil inside the basket of the air fryer.
7. Cook the fish for about 10 to 12 minutes at 400F in an air fryer (there’s no need to flip it). Do not overcrowd the air fryer. You might need to cook the fish in 2 batches if it doesn’t all fit at once.
8. Sprinkle on the parsley and serve.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

For those following a low-carb or keto diet, swap the all-purpose flour with almond flour, and substitute the breadcrumbs with ground pork rinds or cauliflower breading.

Store leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer to crisp them back up.

Serving Suggestions

Serve air fryer fish with a side of coleslaw, french fries, lemon wedges, and tartar sauce for the full fish fry experience!

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Shrimp
• Air Fryer Crab Cakes
• Air Fryer French Fries
• Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Air Fryer Shrimp

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