Crispy Air Fryer Fish Fillets
These Air Fryer Fish Fillets are crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, and ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for a quick and healthy dinner.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 4 white fish fillets (cod, haddock, tilapia, pollock, or halibut), about 6 oz (170 g) each
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley or Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
For a Crispy Coating (Optional)
- 1 cup (60 g) panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon paprika
For Serving
- Lemon wedges
- Fresh parsley
- Tartar sauce or garlic aioli
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Prepare the Fish
- Pat the fillets dry with paper towels.
- Brush both sides with olive oil or melted butter.
- Season
- Mix the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
- Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides of the fish.
- Coat (Optional)
- Mix the panko, Parmesan, and paprika.
- Press the breadcrumb mixture gently onto both sides of the fillets.
- Air Fry
- Place the fish in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between the fillets.
- Cook for 8–12 minutes, depending on thickness.
- There’s usually no need to flip, but you can carefully turn the fillets halfway through for even browning if desired.
- Check for Doneness
- The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.
- Serve with tartar sauce, roasted potatoes, fries, rice, or a fresh salad.
Tips
- Pat the fish dry before seasoning to help it crisp up.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket—cook in batches if needed.
- Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fillets:
- Thin fillets: 8–10 minutes
- Thick fillets: 10–12 minutes
- Frozen fillets can be cooked directly from frozen; add 3–5 minutes to the cooking time and season after the surface begins to thaw.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8–12 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4