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Home » Course » Main Dish

Air Fryer Fried Fish

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August 20, 2022

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This quick and easy air fried fish is crispy and amazingly flavorful on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside. Learn how to fry fish in the air fryer. We made air fried tilapia but you can make air fried cod, halibut or any white fish.
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air fryer fried fish on a plate.
air fryer fried fish fillets with tarter sauce.
air fryer fried fish on a plate.

You will absolutely love our super tasty, no fuss, no mess air fryer fried fish. It is incredibly easy to make and ready in only 16 minutes. Perfectly tender and flakey tilapia covered in a crispy seasoned crust makes a great weeknight dinner.

Serve fried tilapia with a homemade tartar sauce and crispy air fryer French fries to create a healthier version of traditional fish and chips. Your family will ask for this amazingly flavorful and dairy free dish over and over again.

Air fryer fried fish in a pile.
fried fish being dipped into tartar sauce
Air fryer with fish in basket.

Table of Contents

  • WHAT IS AIR FRYER FRIED FISH?
  • INGREDIENTS
  • INSTRUCTIONS
  • RECOMMENDED TOOLS
  • STORAGE TIPS
  • WHAT TO SERVE WITH FRIED FISH
  • MORE FISH RECIPES
  • FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • Air Fryer Fried Fish

WHAT IS AIR FRYER FRIED FISH?

Air fried fish is made from mild tasting white fish filets, such as tilapia or cod, that are cut into perfect portions. The fish is covered in a delicious crust of seasoned breadcrumbs, and cooked up to golden brown and crunchy perfection in the air fryer. Without using much oil, air fryer fried fish is low in calories but full of yummy flavor.

❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS FRIED FISH RECIPE

✔️ Air fried fish is amazingly crunchy on the outside and tender and flakey on the inside!

✔️ It’s a lot less oily and has fewer calories than deep fried fish, but is even more scrumptious.

✔️ Tastes much better than pre-breaded frozen fish and is ready in only 16 minutes!

✔️ Perfect for fish and chips! Simply serve with tartar sauce and crispy French fries for a weeknight dinner classic.

fried fish with fries and tartar sauce on a black plate

INGREDIENTS

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for frying fish in an air fryer, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

You may have all of these fried tilapia ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry already and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.

  • White Fish Filets: We recommend using tilapia or cod filets.
  • Panko Bread Crumbs: Use regular panko bread crumbs or substitute Italian bread crumbs. When using Italian bread crumbs, omit the Italian seasoning.
  • Parmesan Cheese: We recommend freshly shredded parmesan cheese for best flavors.
  • Italian Seasoning: You can substitute plain oregano, or make your own Italian seasoning by mixing oregano, dried basil, and thyme.
  • Garlic Powder
  • Paprika
  • Black Pepper
  • Salt
  • Oil: We like to use oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable oil or avocado oil.
  • Tartar Sauce: You can serve your fried fish with your favorite store bought tartar sauce or make your own. Take a look at our easy but incredibly delicious homemade tartar sauce recipe.
  • Lemon Wedges
ingredients for air fryer fried fish

INSTRUCTIONS

This section shows how to cook fried fish in the air fryer, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, nutritional information, to print the recipe or to have the recipe scaled to double or triple, see the recipe card below.

Bread crumbs and spices in a bowl.
Fish on a cutting board with spices sprinkled on.

MAKE BREADING: Combine bread crumbs, parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper in a shallow bowl.

🔴 TIP: Use Italian bread crumbs, instead of panko breadcrumbs. When using Italian bread crumbs, omit the Italian seasoning.

PREPARE FISH: First pat fish dry, then cut into 1 – 1 ½” wide pieces. Brush with 2 tablespoons of oil.

Tilapia fish in bread crumbs
Breaded fish in air fryer basket.

COVER FISH IN BREADING: Gently roll fish in the panko mixture so all sides are coated. Using your hands or a rolling pin, put gentle pressure on the fish to push the seasoning into the fish. It will stay on the fish better this way and less will fall off while cooking.

PLACE IN AIR FRYER: Spray your air fryer cooking basket/tray with cooking spray to prevent fish from sticking. Place fish into the air fryer cooking basket/tray. Make sure there is space in between each piece of fish. Do not overcrowd the basket. You may need to cook the fish in batches.

🔴 TIP: Use air fryer parchment paper, because it keeps the fish from sticking to the air fryer basket and therefore makes sure your breading stays in place.

Fried fish in an air fryer basket.
Fried fish in an air fryer basket.

AIR FRY: Cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes. Cook time depends on the thickness and width of your fish pieces. Check on the fish intermittently. Internal temperature should be 145°F.

🔴 TIP: If you preheat your air fryer, make sure to adjust your cooking time. The fried fish might be done 1-2 minutes earlier.

SERVE: Remove from the air fryer. Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.

RECOMMENDED TOOLS

Air Fryer – The air fryer works great with this recipe as it makes the fried fish super crispy and flakey without adding a lot of oil.

⚠️ TIPS FOR FRYING FISH IN AIR FRYER

Follow these tips to make the best air fried fish.

✔️ Press the bread crumbs onto the fish. Using a rolling pin or your hands push the seasoning into the fish. The bread crumbs will stay on better and not fall off during cooking.

✔️ Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Leave some room in between the fish pieces to allow the outside to get amazingly crispy. You might have to cook your fish in batches.

✔️ Use air fryer parchment paper. Using parchment paper keeps the fish from sticking to the air fryer basket and therefore makes sure your breading stays in place.

STORAGE TIPS

Storing your food properly is important to prevent spoiling or food poisoning.

Refrigerate: Let any air fryer fried fish leftovers cool completely. Then store them in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: Reheating air fried fish in the air fryer is super easy and beats reheating it in the microwave by miles. To bring your fried fish back to almost perfect crispiness, simply put your pre-cooked fish back into the air fryer and cook at 400ºF for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Your fish fingers should once again be crunchy on the outside and soft and flaky on the inside.

air fryer fried fish, French fries and tartar sauce on a plate

WHAT TO SERVE WITH FRIED FISH

Air fryer fried fish tastes amazing with homemade tartar sauce and a potato side dish. We especially love crispy air fryer fries and air fryer tater tots.

MORE FISH RECIPES

If you love fried fish in the air fryer you’ll enjoy our air fryer salmon, baked salmon or other tilapia recipes like pan seared tilapia with lemon butter or air fryer tilapia. You also have to try these most delicious grilled shrimp skewers with a spicy marinade and smothered in garlic herb butter.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For perfect results every time, here are answers to the most common questions about cooking air fryer fried fish.

What kind of fish can I use to make air fryer fried fish?

Any mild tasting white fish works well with this recipe. Besides tilapia and cod, you can also try haddock, halibut, grouper, pollock, flounder or whiting.

Is air fried fish healthy?

Yes, because it uses a lot less oil than traditional deep fried fish.

Can I also cook pre-coated fish or fish sticks in the air fryer?

Sure can! Check out our easy to follow air fryer fish sticks recipe.

air fryer fried fish on a plate.
5 from 55 votes

Air Fryer Fried Fish


Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 16 minutes
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10 pieces
This quick and easy air fried fish is crispy and amazingly flavorful on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside. Learn how to fry fish in the air fryer. We made air fried tilapia but you can make air fried cod, halibut or any white fish.
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Equipment

  • shallow dish
  • knife and cutting board
  • parchment paper
  • Rolling Pin
  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb white fish filets (tilapia or cod work well)
  • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsps oil (high heat oil like vegetable oil or avocado oil)

Optional Garnish:

  • Tartar sauce
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions

  • Combine bread crumbs, parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper in a shallow dish.
    Bread crumbs and spices in a bowl.
  • Pat fish dry and cut into 1-1½ inches wide pieces.
    fish cut into 1 inch pieces
  • Brush with oil.
    Fish on a cutting board with spices sprinkled on.
  • Gently roll fish in the seasoning dish so all sides are coated.
    Tilapia fish in bread crumbs
  • Place fish on parchment paper.
  • Cover fish with a second piece of parchment paper.
  • Using your hands or a rolling pin, put gentle pressure on the fish to push the seasoning into the fish. It will stay on the fish better this way and less will fall off while cooking.
    pushing bread crumbs on fish with rolling pin
  • Spray your air fryer cooking basket/tray with cooking spray to prevent fish from sticking.
  • Place fish into the air fryer cooking basket/tray. Make sure there is space in between each piece of fish. Do not overcrowd the basket. You may need to cook the fish in batches.
    Breaded fish in air fryer basket.
  • Cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes. Cook time depends on the thickness and width of your fish pieces. Check on the fish intermittently. Internal temperature should be 145°F.
    Fried fish in an air fryer basket.
  • Remove from the air fryer. Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
    fried fish with fries, tartar sauce and a lemon wedge

Notes

Air Fryer Notes:
  • Some air fryers have a pre-heat option. Preheating may reduce the cooking time a little bit.
  • Air fryers need space between the food items to circulate and cook properly. Do not overcrowd your air fryer. 
 
Recipe Notes:
  • You can substitute panko bread crumbs for Italian bread crumbs. Omit the Italian seasoning.
  • If you have air fryer parchment paper (parchment paper with holes for air flow) you can cook your fish on that.

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 184mg | Potassium: 154mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 51IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg

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posted in: Air Fryer, American, Course, Cuisine, Dairy Free, Diet, Ingredient, Main Dish, Method, Seafood

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Natalie says

    May 9, 2022

    5 stars
    Great recipe for moms with kids! My girls loved it, thanks.

    Reply
  2. Mariana says

    May 13, 2022

    5 stars
    It was a wonderful way to make fish I love this recipe I’m sure I’ll make it often.

    Reply
  3. Sharon says

    May 13, 2022

    5 stars
    These air fryer fish sticks come out super crispy! They are a big hit with the kids.

    Reply
  4. Jamie says

    May 13, 2022

    5 stars
    I love the crispy crust on this fish! It’s so delicious and I love how it’s healthier this way!

    Reply
  5. Emily says

    May 13, 2022

    5 stars
    These turned out so good and crispy! I love how this recipe uses a lot less oil than traditional deep-fried fish!

    Reply
  6. Tayler Ross says

    May 14, 2022

    5 stars
    We had this for dinner tonight and omg was it amazing! The best fried fish I’ve ever tried!

    Reply
  7. Karen says

    August 29, 2022

    This turned out perfectly! I used Panko crumbs. The rolling pin trick with parchment paper really held the crumbs on too!

    Reply

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