Make delicious, crispy air fryer fish perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This recipe is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Our crispy air fryer fish recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, offering a delightful crunch with every bite, while being a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried options. Utilising the magic of an air fryer, this recipe locks in the succulent flavours of white fish fillets, transforming them into a golden, crispy delight that’s both satisfying and incredibly tasty.
The secret to its irresistible texture lies in a coating of panko breadcrumbs, seasoned to perfection with old bay seasoning for that extra kick. The flour and eggs come together to create the perfect adhesive layer, ensuring your fish gets a generous helping of the crispy panko coating.
Crispy Air Fryer Fish is sure to become a much-loved weeknight staple.
Serving Suggestions
Our Crispy Air Fryer Fish is perfect on its own with our homemade tartar sauce, or served with your choice of sides. For a complete meal, we recommend pairing it with fries and a fresh salad.
For a fun twist, try making fish tacos using the crispy air fryer fish as the filling. Top it off with some homemade salsa and avocado for a burst of flavour.
You can also serve these fillets on top of a bed of rice or quinoa, with a drizzle of lemon juice for added brightness. The possibilities are endless!
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure to pat the fish fillets dry before coating them with flour to ensure the coating sticks well.
- If you want to make a larger batch, cook the fish in batches to prevent overcrowding the air fryer and ensure crispy results.
- Experiment with different seasonings and spices for a unique twist on this recipe. Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, or lemon pepper are all great options.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute panko breadcrumbs with crushed cornflakes or gluten-free crackers.
- If you have an egg allergy, you can use flax eggs instead.
How to Store Leftovers
Leftovers store well for up to 4 days when placed in an air-tight container in the fridge. To reheat and retain the crispness of the coating, just pop them back into the air fryer for a couple minutes.
You can also store the cooked fish in the freezer for longer storage. Just make sure to let them cool completely before freezing. When ready to eat, simply defrost in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes until heated through.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Fish
Flour – We are using the standard dredging technique. The flour coats the fish so the eggs can stick on.
Eggs – The eggs are necessary for the breadcrumbs to stick onto the fish.
Breadcrumbs – Use unseasoned breadcrumbs. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko. The fish in the photos are coated with panko breadcrumbs.
Seasoning – All you need for seasoning is old bay. It’s quite salty on it’s own, so I don’t use any additional salt or pepper. You could substitute with Cajun seasoning for a bit of a different flavour.
Fish – For this style of fish, I really prefer to use cod as it stands up well against the coating where other fish may get lost. You could use any white fish you prefer.
Oil – Use a neutral flavoured oil with a higher smoke point.
Looking for More Air Fryer Recipes?
Check out more of my favourite air fryer recipes!
These delicious air fryer jalapeño poppers are perfect for game day or any other occasion! They’re an easy to make and a real crowd pleaser.
This air fryer falafel recipe is an easy and healthy way to make falafel that are crispy on the outside and deliciously soft on the inside.
Easy air fryer pineapple recipe. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert, this pineapple is perfectly caramelized and sweet!
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Fish
Yields: 4 Servings | Prep time: 15 Minutes | Cook time: 12 Minutes
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup plain or panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon old bay seasoning
- 1-1.5 lbs fresh or frozen (thawed) cod
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
Directions:
Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the flour into a shallow bowl.
Crack the eggs into another shallow bowl and whisk slightly.
In a third shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs with the old bay seasoning.
Dry the cod with paper towel.
Place the fish in the flour first, coating well on both sides. (Image 1)
Then place the fish into the egg and coat both sides well, allowing the excess egg to drip from the fish. (Image 2)
Finally, dredge the fish through the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to coat well. (Image 3)
Repeat the process with each piece of fish.
Brush the air fryer basket with about 1 tablespoon of oil, then place the coated fish into the basket of the air fryer. Drizzle the remaining oil over the fish.
Cook the fish for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 minutes. The Fish should be golden brown. (Image 4)
Remove from the air fryer and serve with chips, our homemade tartar sauce, and plenty of lemon wedges.
Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!