Simple Air Fryer Fish – Match Foodie Finds

This crispy air fryer fish makes for an easy weeknight dinner. The fish cooks to absolute perfection, coming out super tender, juicy, and flaky on the inside and deliciously crispy on the outside. Dip ’em in some tartar sauce for extra flavor!

Flaky Air Fryer Fish Recipe

Fish isn’t always the easiest protein to cook, but the beauty of this recipe is that it cooks the most delicious, crispy fish with little to no effort! Say so long to days of looming over the stove with your breaded fish fillets, wondering if it’s cooked through or not. Air frying fish is the future, and we’re here for it!

Not only is cooking fish in the air fryer less hassle, but it also cooks faster and makes for easy cleanup. It’s a great choice for feeding the whole family without breaking a sweat. Plus, air fryers create a crunchy texture around the fish that would be hard to achieve with any other cooking method.

Ready to make the best fish in town? All you need is a few ingredients and an air fryer. Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Cod: you can use either fresh or frozen cod filets; it’s up to you!
• Eggs: eggs act as a binding agent so that the breadcrumbs adhere to the fish.
• Bread crumbs: we kept it simple with plain breadcrumbs.
• All-purpose flour: flour is what gets the fish nice and crispy.
• Old Bay seasoning: a classic seafood seasoning, Old Bay adds a delightful kick of flavor.
• Salt: salt is necessary to bring out all the great natural flavors of the fish
• Olive oil: olive oil provides crispiness and prevents the fish from sticking to the air fryer.

How to Make Air Fryer Fish Filets 

PREHEAT OVEN

Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. If using frozen cod, be sure to thaw it. 

PREPARE FISH

Next, blot the cod with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then cut the fish into 4 strips or pieces that will fit in your air fryer. Set aside.

COAT WITH BREADING

Once the fish is prepped, add the eggs to a mixing bowl and whisk together. In a separate bowl, combine the bread crumbs, flour, old bay seasoning, and salt. Stir to combine. 

First, dredge the fish filets through the egg mixture, allowing any excess egg to drip from the fish. Then dredge the fish through the breadcrumb mixture. Use your hands to firmly pat or press the breadcrumb mixture into the fish filet.

Lastly, dredge the fish through the egg and breadcrumb mixture a second time. Repeat until all the fish filets have been coated twice. 

​AIR FRY FISH

Coat the air fryer basket with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and then transfer the fish filets to the air fryer. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the fish. 

Cook the fish for 8 minutes before gently flipping the fish. It’s ok if the fish falls apart a little bit. Then cook the fish for an additional 4 minutes or until it is golden brown. 

SERVE + ENJOY

Remove from the air fryer, serve, and enjoy!

Top Tips for this Easy Air Fryer Fish Recipe

• Cut cod into equal size strips: Cutting your fish into the same size will ensure they will all take about the same amount of time to cook.
• Have fun with flavors: If you don’t have Old Bay seasoning, try something new, like smoked paprika, garlic powder, or even a combination of herbs.
• Don’t overcrowd: Make sure your air fryer basket isn’t overcrowded so that the fish will cook evenly.
• Coat fish in oil before frying: If there are dry, powdery sections of the fish after air frying, be sure to add more oil.

Serving Suggestions

There are plenty of ways to savor this delicious air fryer fish! Serve it with tartar sauce or a light and refreshing coleslaw. We also like pairing it with sides such as these: 

Roasted Veggies

Salads

Grains & Starches

Storage

Store any leftover air fryer fish in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. 

To reheat: cook your fish in the air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes until crispy and warmed through. Be careful not to overcook as it can dry out the fish.

Easy Air Fryer Fish

This crispy air fryer fish makes for an easy weeknight dinner. Super tender, juicy, and flaky on the inside and deliciously crispy on the outside. Enjoy!

Prep:20 minutes minutes

Cook:12 minutes minutes

Total:32 minutes minutes

Fat 10

Carbs 14

Protein 19

Instructions 

• Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF, and if using frozen cod, be sure to thaw it.

• Prepare the fish by blotting the cod with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Cut the fish into 4 strips or pieces that will fit in your air fryer. Set aside.

• Add the eggs to a mixing bowl and whisk together. In a separate bowl, combine the bread crumbs, flour, old bay seasoning, and salt. Stir to combine.

• Dredge the fish filets through the egg mixture. Allow excess egg to drip from the fish. Dredge the fish through the breadcrumb mixture. Use your hands to firmly pat or press the breadcrumb mixture into the fish filet.

• Dredge the fish through the egg and breadcrumb mixture a second time. Repeat until all the fish filets have been coated twice.

• Coat the air fryer basket with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and then transfer the fish filets to the air fryer. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the fish.

• Cook the fish for 8 minutes and then gently flip the fish. It’s ok if the fish falls apart a little bit. Cook the fish for an additional 4 minutes or until the fish is golden brown.

• Remove from the air fryer and enjoy.

Tips & Notes

• Any white fish can be used instead of cod.
• Panko breadcrumbs can be used instead of breadcrumbs.
• Be sure the fish is coated in oil before frying. If there are dry, powdery sections of the fish after air frying, be sure to add more oil.
• Other oil can be used instead of olive oil.

Nutrition facts

Calories: 230kcal Carbohydrates: 14g Protein: 19g Fat: 10g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 1g