Description

This air fryer fish recipe delivers perfectly crispy fillets in a fraction of the time, with minimal oil and mess—making it a healthier, quick, and delicious main-course perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Fish

4 white fish fillets (such as cod, tilapia, or haddock, about 6 oz each)

Breading

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup regular bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking

Olive oil spray (or other cooking spray)

Optional for Serving

Lemon wedges
Tartar sauce

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prep the Fish: Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the breading stick and promotes crispiness in the air fryer.
Prepare Breading Stations: Set up three shallow bowls—one with flour, one with whisked eggs, and one with a mixture of panko, regular bread crumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Bread the Fish: Dredge each fillet in flour (shaking off excess), dip in the egg, and then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture. Lightly press the breadcrumbs onto the fish to help them adhere.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
Arrange and Spray: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place the breaded fish fillets in a single layer, leaving space between them. Lightly spray the tops of the fillets as well.
Cook: Air fry for 9–11 minutes, flipping once halfway, or until the fish is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). The crust should be crispy and the fish opaque and flaky.
Serve: Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges and tartar sauce, if desired.

Notes

You can use skinless cod, tilapia, snapper, haddock, or another white fish.
For gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; work in batches if necessary for the crispiest results.
Panko breadcrumbs yield the crispiest coating.
Adjust seasoning to your taste—add a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 fillet
Calories: 230
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 440mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 85mg