Cooking Fish in an Air Fryer
Cooking fish in an air fryer is a game-changer for home cooks. It’s quick, healthy, and delivers beautifully crispy skin with tender, juicy fillets inside. Whether you’re making barramundi, salmon, or flathead, these top tips will help you get it perfect every time. Let’s dive in!
1. Choose the Right Fish
Not all fish cook the same, so pick varieties that hold up well in an air fryer.
- Firm, thick fillets like salmon, barramundi, or snapper work best.
- Avoid delicate fish like whiting or flounder, which can easily break apart.
- If using frozen fish, make sure it’s fully thawed before cooking.
2. Pat the Fish Dry
Moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
- Use paper towels to pat the fish completely dry before seasoning.
- This ensures the fish will crisp up nicely instead of steaming.
3. Season Generously
Fish is versatile and takes on flavours beautifully, so don’t hold back!
- Keep it simple with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon.
- Or go bold with spice rubs like paprika, garlic powder, or lemon pepper.
- Want crunch? Add a light coating of breadcrumbs or panko with parmesan cheese for extra flavour and texture.
4. Preheat the Air Fryer
Just like an oven, preheating your air fryer ensures even cooking.
- Heat the air fryer for 2–3 minutes before adding your fish.
- This gives you that golden, crispy finish.
5. Don’t Overcrowd the Basket
Air fryers work by circulating hot air, so give your fish some space.
- Place the fillets in a single layer without overlapping.
- If cooking multiple portions, do it in batches for the best results.
6. Flip Halfway Through
If you don’t have a crumb on your fish, you can flip the fish halfway through. This will provide even cooking and crisping all over.
- Use tongs or a spatula to gently turn the fillets.
- This ensures both sides are golden and evenly cooked.
7. Use the Right Temperature and Timing
Cooking times vary depending on the fish, but a general guide is:
- 180°C for most fillets (10–12 minutes for thick fillets, 6–8 minutes for thinner ones).
- Check for doneness with a fork—if it flakes easily, it’s ready!
8. Add a Sauce or Garnish
Finish your fish with a little extra flair!
- Squeeze over some fresh lemon juice.
- Serve with tartare sauce, a drizzle of garlic butter, or fresh herbs like parsley or dill.
- For a full meal, pair it with a side salad, chips, or steamed veggies.
Give This Recipe a Go...
Want to try something special? Check out this delicious Perfect Italiano Air Fryer Barramundi recipe. It’s simple, crispy, and full of flavour:
GET THE RECIPE: Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Fish Fillet by Perfect Italiano
Ingredients:
- 4 x 150g firm white fish fillets
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1½ tbsp whole egg mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup Panko crumbs
- ¼ cup Perfect Italiano Traditional Parmesan
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- Cooking spray
- Apple Kale slaw and lemon wedges to serve
Method:
- Pat fish dry using paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
- Mix together mustard and mayonnaise and spread over the top of each fillet.
- Combine Panko crumb, Parmesan, parsley, and lemon zest and spoon onto a flat plate. Press the mustard-smeared side of the fish into the crumb, pressing down firmly to make it stick.
- Line the air fryer basket with a small sheet of baking paper. Lightly spray the Parmesan crumb with cooking spray and place the fillets in the air fryer in a single layer.
- Cook for 15–20 minutes at 170°C or until the crumb is golden and the fish is cooked through. Cook in batches as necessary.
- Serve immediately with apple kale slaw and lemon wedges.
This recipe takes air fryer fish to the next level. Give it a try and enjoy crispy, cheesy fish that’s a crowd-pleaser!
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