Air Fryer Fried Fish
This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for details.
Making fried fish in the air fryer is the hero we need in the kitchen. This recipe gives you the most flavorful and crispy fish without the hassle of disposing of oil or making your house smell like stinky fish!
Crispy fried fish is a way of life here in New England.
The seafood places I love are usually seasonal, meaning there are MONTHS I have to go without crispy fish and chips, so I decided to come up with a homemade version!
Most importantly I wanted to do without is all the excess oil and the cleanup (and smell) that comes with deep-frying. So I knew that the air fryer was the right tool for the job.
This fried fish is so flaky, crispy on the outside, and full of flavor. It’s the perfect alternative to deep fried fish, without sacrificing texture or flavor!
For the full summer in New England fish and chips experience, make sure to serve this air fryer fried fish with my homemade tartar sauce, creamy coleslaw, air fryer french fries, and a scoop of homemade strawberry ice cream for dessert!
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Fish
- Easier to make flavorful and crispy fish without a deep fryer
- This air fryer recipe is healthier than deep frying, with far less mess (and smell)
- Super flavorful and crispy with no oil
- It’s a simple recipe the whole family will love
- Easy cleanup!
Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Fried Fish
The breading on this fish is what I typically use for all my air fryer recipes, like air fried mozzarella sticks and my homemade chicken nuggets. It’s super flavorful, browns beautifully, and sticks really well to whatever I’m coating.
- Fish – I like to use haddock or cod filets for this recipe. Tilapia or Pollock will work too.
- All Purpose Flour
- Eggs
- Seasoned Panko Bread Crumbs – Seasoned panko is best because it has extra seasoning and parmesan for flavor and superior browning.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese – for browning, binding the crust, and flavor
- Coarse Kosher Salt – *do not use table salt or it’ll be too salty
- Unsalted Butter
For equipment, you’ll need an air fryer. The one I use is the 6qt Instant Vortex Air Fryer. It takes about 3 batches to fry 2 lbs of haddock filets.
How to Air Fry Breaded Fish
Step 1
Cut the haddock into portions 3-4 oz in size. Butterfly thick filets and gently press to flatten.
How To Butterfly a Fish Filet
For even frying and maximum crispiness, thick chunks of fish need to be butterflied and flattened before breading and air frying. Here’s how to butterfly a fish filet:
Hold your fish filet and using a very sharp knife, cut lengthwise from top to bottom through the middle of the filet. Do not cut all the way through.
Try to use a long singular cutting motion instead of sawing back and forth with the knife.
Press gently the piece flat so that the fish filet is the same thickness all the way through.
Step 2
Place sliced pieces of fish on a wire rack set over a cookie sheet. Using a ½ teaspoon of salt lightly salt both sides of the fish. Let the fish sit for 10 minutes while you prepare the breading station.
Step 3
To prepare the breading station, you’ll need 3 dishes.
Add the all purpose flour to a pie plate or shallow dish. In a separate bowl, whisk the three whole eggs until beaten well.
In the final dish, combine the Panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, and the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt. Whisk together to combine. Pour the melted butter over the breading mixture.
Stir together until all the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
Step 4
After the fish has sat for 10 minutes, pat both sides dry with a paper towel.
Step 5
Bread the fish by dredging each filet in flour.
Gently shake off any excess flour.
Next, dip the fish in the beaten eggs.
Let the excess drip off and transfer to the breadcrumb mixture.
Press the breadcrumbs onto the fish, making sure the filet is evenly and thoroughly coated. Shake off any excess.
Repeat this breading process until all the filets are coated in the flour, egg, and breadcrumb mixture.
Step 6
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F and spray the basket with cooking spray.
Next, place a wire rack on a cookie sheet and pop it in the oven. Set the oven to 200 degrees F.
Working in batches, add the fish to the preheated air fryer. Fry off the fish filets in a single layer, and try not to overcrowd the basket.
Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
The fish is done when the breading is golden brown and crispy, and the fish registers 145 degrees F on an instant read meat thermometer.
Step 7
Transfer the first batch of cooked fish to the wire rack in the oven to keep warm. Repeat the cooking process until all the fish filets are cooked through.
Serve the air fried fish hot with homemade tartar sauce, coleslaw, and fries.
How to Make Fried fish in Advance
You can bread the fish earlier in the day and “fry” it hours later for easy meal prep.
Store the breaded fish in the fridge wrapped well on a plate or in an airtight container until ready to use.
You can also cook the fish completely and reheat it when you are ready for it.
Air Fryer Fish Variations and Substitutions
- Swap the haddock or cod for tilapia or pollock
- In the place of seasoned panko breadcrumbs, you can use plain panko crumbs, and add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning or leave plain. Add an extra tablespoon of Parmesan to the breading as well.
- Add extra spices like dill, cayenne, cajun seasoning, Old Bay, or lemon pepper to the breading.
How to Store Air Fry Fish
Leftover cooked fish can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or a month in the freezer.
How to Reheat Fish In The Air Fryer
Reheat leftover fried fish in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 4-6 minutes until heated through.
Tips & Tricks
These are some of my best tips to ensure the most flavorful results.
- Salt the sides of each fish fillet before patting dry. This releases excess moisture and ensures the coating sticks to the fish during cooking.
- Place fish in a single layer in the basket. Work in batches and do not overcrowd the air fryer basket for best results. The fish needs plenty of room to cook on all sides completely.
- Butterflying the thick filets will help cook the fish evenly and make it crispy
- Add a little extra black pepper, onion powder or garlic powder to the flour mixture or breadcrumbs for bolder flavor.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fried Breaded Fish
You can go simple or fancy with these crispy fish filets.
- Serve it as a fish sandwich or classic fish and chips with crispy french fries, homemade coleslaw, and lemon wedges.
- As part of a main meal with mashed or roasted potatoes.
- Pan Fried Asparagus with Lemon and Parmesan makes a great side with these.
- Two words: Fish tacos
- Pair it with this Broccoli Cheese Casserole or Crockpot Baked Beans.
- Make a simple sheet-pan roasted veggie side to go with them
Air Fryer Fish FAQs
Yes! Because the fish is breaded, and the crumbs stick to the filets, it’s perfect for cooking in the air fryer. Battered fish can’t be air fried, since the batter will drip off and burn on the bottom of the fryer.
Some issues could be that the basket was too crowded and the hot air couldn’t get around each piece of fish. Another reason could be the fish was too thick and started to release juices and excess moisture through the breading. Lastly, either it wasn’t cooked long enough or the temp was too low.
The sweet spot is around 10 minutes, where the breading is nice and crisp and the fish is not overcooked!
If you make this recipe, give it a 5 STAR Rating and Leave a Comment!
More Air Fryer Recipes
More Great Dinner Recipes
Save This Recipe
Just enter your email below and we will send this recipe right to your inbox, plus we will send more yummy recipes and ideas.
How To Cook Breaded Fish In The Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 lbs of haddock or cod filets
- 1 cup of all purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 2 ¼ cup of seasoned panko bread crumbs see note
- ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt divided (see note)
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- Cut the haddock into portions 3-4 oz in size. Butterfly thick filets and gently press to flatten.
- On a wire rack set over a cookie sheet, lightly sprinkle both sides of the fish using a 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Let the fish sit for 10 minutes while you prep the breading station. You’ll need three dishes for breading.
- Add the all purpose flour to one shallow dish.
- In a wide bowl or pie plate whisk the three whole eggs until beaten well.
- In another shallow dish, combine the Panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Whisk together to combine. Pour the melted butter over the breading and stir until the crumbs are evenly coated.
- After 10 minutes of resting, pat both sides of the fish filets dry with a paper towel.
- Start by dredging a fish filet in the flour. Make sure the filet is completely coated, shaking off any excess flour before transferring to the next dish.
- Next, dip the floured fish in the beaten eggs. Allow excess egg to drip back into the dish before moving to the breadcrumbs.
- Move the fish to the breadcrumb dish and coat it with the Panko mixture. Press the breadcrumbs onto the fish to make sure the filet is evenly and thoroughly coated. Shake off any excess. Set the breaded fish filet on a plate or the wire rack.
- Repeat this breading process until all the filets are coated in the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. This step can be done a day ahead.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F and spray the fryer basket with cooking spray. Place a cooling rack on a cookie sheet and pop it in the oven. Set the oven to 200 degrees F.
- Working in batches, fry off the fish filets, and try not to overcrowd the basket. Air needs to circulate around each filet for best results.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The fish is done when the breading is golden brown and crispy, and the fish registers 145 degrees F on an instant read meat thermometer.
- Place the cooked fish in the low-temperature oven while you fry off the rest of the fish. Serve hot with tartar sauce and fries.
Notes
- Seasoned breadcrumbs contain extra salt, flavorings, and parmesan. If you're using unseasoned breadcrumbs, you'll need to add Italian seasoning and extra parmesan.
- Coarse Kosher salt is bigger and less salty than table salt. If you're using a table salt, reduce the salt in the breading to 1/4 teaspoon.
- This recipe can be cut in half easily. Reduce the eggs to 2 and the breadcrumbs to 1 cup + 2 tablespoons.
