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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, because it uses a lot less oil than traditional deep fried fish.
Sure can! Check out our easy to follow air fryer fish sticks recipe.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb white fish filets - (tilapia or cod work well)
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup parmesan cheese - grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon 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.
Pat fish dry and cut into 1-1½ inches wide pieces.
Brush with oil.
Gently roll fish in the seasoning dish so all sides are coated.- 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.- 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.
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.
Remove from the air fryer. Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
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.
- 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.
Natalie says
Great recipe for moms with kids! My girls loved it, thanks.
Mariana says
It was a wonderful way to make fish I love this recipe I'm sure I'll make it often.
Sharon says
These air fryer fish sticks come out super crispy! They are a big hit with the kids.
Jamie says
I love the crispy crust on this fish! It's so delicious and I love how it's healthier this way!
Emily says
These turned out so good and crispy! I love how this recipe uses a lot less oil than traditional deep-fried fish!
Tayler Ross says
We had this for dinner tonight and omg was it amazing! The best fried fish I've ever tried!