How to cook fried fish in air fryer

Crispy and crunchy Air Fryer Fish is a simple recipe that will satisfy your fried fish cravings! Flaky, white, fish is dredged in a flavorful mayonnaise mixture so the coating sticks, then coated in a seasoned cornmeal crust before being air fried to perfection. Make up this quick and easy dish in just 20 minutes for an easy weeknight meal.

For the past four years my husband has completed what is called the Texas Water Safari – a 260-mile canoe race that starts in the headwaters of the San Marcos river and finishes up down at the coast.

Every year they have an enormous fish fry for all of the competitors and their families.

The fresh fish and shrimp are caught locally in the Gulf coast, coated in a cornmeal crust (because that’s how we do it in the South!) and then deep fried until golden and crunchy on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside.

While deep-fried fish is definitely something to be enjoyed on special occasions, it’s not exactly weeknight dinner-friendly for those watching what they eat.

So instead, I took the basic recipe for that deep-fried fish and turned it into this easy air fryer fish recipe!

You’ll get all of the flavor and crunchiness you love but without a TON of oil.

The cornmeal adds a nice grit that gets crunchy when fried, and the flour helps it to bind to the fish.

Speaking of binding; mayonnaise is our secret binding agent in this recipe. Others either don’t use a binder at all, or some simply use a drizzle of oil which results in the coating sliding right off of the fish.

But that’s not so with this recipe! Because of the egg-based sauce, the cornmeal crust sticks beautifully to the fish and won’t fall off after air frying.

Ingredients

The simple ingredients needed to make this air fried fish recipe include:

• Fish. Mild white fish is best for this recipe. You want no more than about ¼ to ½-inch thick filets or the cooking times will vary. Read below for more information on selecting fish.
• Cornmeal. Find a medium to fine grit to achieve the right texture. Also, look for a certified gluten-free kind if you are avoiding gluten.
• Flour. Regular all purpose or a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend will both work. Mixing flour and cornmeal creates a crunchy exterior while also binding easily to the fish.
• Mayonnaise. The secret ingredient that works incredibly well to help the coating stick to the fish!
• Cajun seasoning. This gives the flavor a nice kick. You can also use blackened seasoning for a little more spice, or even old bay seasoning for a milder fish.

How to Air Fry Fish

The basic steps for making air fryer fish are simple to follow. Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts.

Dredge the Filets

Combine mayonnaise and lemon juice in a separate bowl.

Toss the fish in the mayonnaise mixture until they are completely covered. Pat the filets dry before doing this so it will stick better.

Coat the Fish

Measure the cornmeal, flour, Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into a medium-sized bowl and mix.

One at a time, dip each filet into the cornmeal and flour mixture. Make sure the coating covers all of the sides, and then shake off the excess.

Air Fry

Arrange the coated fish filets into a 6-quart Air Fryer basket in a single layer. If the fish overlaps it won’t get crispy where the fish is touching. Work in batches to ensure there is plenty of room in the basket.

Cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping the filets after 5 minutes.

You’ll know the fish is done cooking when it flakes easily with a fork. Repeat with remaining filets.

Serve with Sauce

Serve this fish simply with lemon wedges, or one of these easy homemade sauces:

• Tartar Sauce
• Remoulade Sauce
• Avocado Ranch Dressing
• Lime Crema
• Secret Sauce
• Cocktail Sauce

Best Fish to Air Fry

This recipe coats the fish in a crispy cornmeal crust. You want to use a firm, mildly flavored white fish. The types of fish that fit these characteristics include:

• Cod– Depending on where you live, either Atlantic or Pacific cod will be more readily available. While not technically cod, often Haddock and Whiting fish are sold as cod.
• Sole– This flatfish has a more firm texture than cod, with a mild and slightly sweet taste. Some compare it to a cross between tilapia and cod.
• Halibut – Another flatfish, halibut has dense, firm, flesh with a light and clean taste.
• Mahi-Mahi – Also known as Dorado or Dolphin (not to be confused with Flipper!), Mahi-Mahi’s firm texture and sweet taste resembles Swordfish, although a bit milder.
• Catfish – While firm, Catfish is less flaky than the other varieties. It also has the fishiest flavor, but a soak in milk before cooking can help take some of that taste away.

You can also air fry salmon, or another red fish without the cornmeal coating if you’d prefer!

Meal Prep and Storage

• To Prep-Ahead: You can mix up the coating and binder in advance, or store separately until ready to use.
• To Store: Keep air fried fish in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• To Freeze: Arrange fried fish in a single layer and freeze for 2-3 hours; then transfer to a freezer safe Ziploc bag for up to 3-4 months.
• To Reheat: Add fried fish back into the air fryer at 350° for 3-5 minutes or until heated through.

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already dairy-free as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:

• Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free flour and a certified gluten-free cornmeal.
• Low-Carb – Substitute cornmeal for low-carb breadcrumbs.

FAQs

Does fish need to be thawed before air frying?

If the fish is not coated yet it needs to be thawed. Otherwise it will release a lot of moisture into the coating and will come out soggy instead of crispy.

Can you cook fish in the air fryer?

Yes, you can! It’s a great healthy way to cook fish, especially to recreate the fried fish texture.

Is Air Fryer fish healthy?

Yes, it is since it avoids using any oil.

Do you have to use breading in an air fryer?

While air frying is a great way to get an oil-free crispy crust on breaded food, it is not necessary to bread food before air frying.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Coat it first. Using mayonnaise as a binder adds flavor, and gets the coating to stick better.
• Get the right texture. Choose a firm, white fish so that it will be flaky while still holding its shape.
• Look at the thickness. Filets closer to ¼-inch thick will be done in as little as 8 minutes. Thicker fish can take 10 minutes or more.
• When it flakes, it’s finished. No need to pull out the meat thermometer, when the middle of the fish flakes easily with a fork, it’s ready to eat!
• Make it spicy! Substitute the Cajun seasoning for a blackened seasoning.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Create the best flavors and crispy textures with this handy appliance! Here are a few more dishes to try next:

• Air Fryer Apple Chips
• Air Fryer Eggplant
• Lamb Kofta
• Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
• Air Fryer Pickles
• Air Fryer Fish Tacos

Crispy and crunchy Air Fryer Fish is a simple recipe that will satisfy your fried fish cravings! Make up this quick and easy dish in just 20 minutes for an easy weeknight meal.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 249 kcal

• 1 ½ lbs. white fish filets about ¼ to ½-inch thick
• ½ cup cornmeal medium grind
• ½ cup all purpose flour or gluten-free 1-to-1
• 2 tsp. Cajun seasoning or Old Bay
• 1 tsp. paprika
• ½ tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. salt to taste
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1. Mix together cornmeal, flour, Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a medium-sized shallow bowl.

2. Add mayonnaise and lemon juice to a large bowl and whisk until combined.

3. Place fish filets into the mayonnaise mixture and toss until completely covered.

4. Dip each filet into the cornmeal mixture and coat all sides.

5. Place the coated fish filets into a 6-quart Air Fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 400 °F for 8-10 minutes.* Flip filets over after 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining filets.

6. You’ll know the fish is done cooking when it flakes easily with a fork.

7. Serve Air Fryer Fish with Tartar Sauce, Remoulade, or Secret Sauce.

This recipe works well with cod, sole, halibut, or any other firm and mild-tasting white fish.
You’ll need to cook the fish longer for thick filets, and shorter for thinner filets.

• To Store: Keep air fried fish in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• To Freeze: Arrange fried fish in a single layer and freeze for 3-4 hours. Then transfer to a freezer safe Ziploc bag for up to 3-4 months.

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Fish Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 249 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 5g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 53mg18%

Sodium 441mg19%

Potassium 574mg16%

Carbohydrates 19g6%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 23g46%

Vitamin A 1266IU25%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 33mg3%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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